Call of Duty DIA DE Los MUERTOS MAP REVEAL TRAILER
CO-Writer/CONCEPT PITCH: RACHEL JANDAK
HONORING Dia de Los Muertos in CALL OF DUTY
The Brief: Create a culturally resonant asset celebrating Dia de los Muertos that drives excitement for MWII Season 06 while showcasing the new map theme/reskin.
Considerations:
Highlight Call of Duty operators with Mexican heritage.
Create a unique narrative-driven way to showcase the new map reskin.
Use a distinctive, culturally relevant music track.
Feature the map’s new design and decor.
Be aware of cultural sensitivities surrounding guns/violence.
V1 SCRIPT
From the very first draft, my team and I knew we wanted the dialogue to be entirely in Spanish. We also decided to feature two of the most popular characters from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Alejandro Vargas and Valeria Garza. We built on the tension between Alejandro and Valeria established during the storyline of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, crafting a cat-and-mouse storyline where Alejandro attempts to storm Valeria’s compound to take her into custody.
Scene from Modern Warfare II showcasing Valeria and Alejandro’s tense relationship.
EXT. EL ASILO - A HIGH-ANGLED WIDE SHOT of ALEJANDRO and TASK FORCE 141 entering the compound, guns drawn.
VALERIA (V.O.)
El Dia de Muertos es un momento de
celebración, no de miedo…
SUBTITLES: Day of the Dead is a time for celebration, not fear.
INT. BUNKER - A room GLOWING with candles, marigolds, and papel picado.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Donde se muestra respeto y se dan
obsequios a los difuntos…
SUBTITLES: Where respect is shown and gifts are given to the deceased…
EXT. EL ASILO - Various quick action shots around the map, showing off the Day of the Dead reskin, as Alejandro and Task Force 141 fight Valeria’s soldiers.
INT. BUNKER - CLOSE UP SIDE ANGLE of an OFRENDA, only partially revealed. VALERIA walks into view.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Como en la ofrenda…
SUBTITLES: Like at the altar.
INT./EXT. MAIN BUILDING - Alejandro and Task Force 141 infiltrate the main building, engaging in action.
INT. BUNKER - Valeria pauses in front of the ofrenda in contemplation. Distant GUNSHOTS can be heard. The candles flicker.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Un lugar para honrar a nuestros seres
queridos…
SUBTITLES: A place to honor our loved ones…
INT. HALLWAY - Alejandro leads the team to the bunker door. They prepare for a breach.
CUT TO an EXPLOSION ripping open the door.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Para algunos, son casi demasiados para
contar…
SUBTITLES: For some, they are almost too many to count…
INT. DOORWAY/BUNKER - A STYLIZED SHOT of Alejandro lowering his weapon in the doorway. No guns allowed in this space – and no Valeria in sight.
CUT TO - A CLOSE-UP of a FRAMED PHOTO – DIEGO, one of Valeria’s former Lieutenants, who was taken out by Task Force 141.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Para ustedes, dejen que esto sea un
recordatorio:
SUBTITLES: For you, let this be a reminder:
INT. DOORWAY/BUNKER - Alejandro backs out of the doorframe, as the full ofrenda is revealed – overwhelmed with photo frames, sugar skulls, and candles – signifying a great loss.
CUT TO - A CLOSE-UP of Alejandro’s face. Full of grave understanding.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Su momento en la ofrenda pronto llegará.
SUBTITLES: Your time on the altar will come soon enough.
EXT. EL ASILO - Valeria walks off into the distance towards a waiting exfil copter. A DRONE SHOT pulls up and back, revealing the whole map.
TITLE CARD: EL ASILO DE LA MUERTE
V2/FINAL SCRIPT
After close collaboration with Activision’s LATAM teams, the second script took the cat-and-mouse narrative between Alejandro and Valeria to a deeper level. Valeria’s voiceover offers cultural insights, clearing up common misconceptions about Dia de los Muertos, while subtly weaving in her personal ideals about her enemies and death itself. The script also features some easter egg narrative details, such as incorporating the picture of Valeria’s deceased lieutenant, Diego, and the named sugar skulls of her enemies on the altar.
EXT. EL ASILO - HIGH-ANGLED WIDE SHOT - EVENING
Long, fly-through shots of the new map, featuring the outside decorations, catrinas, ofrendas, etc.
ALEJANDRO lifts binoculars to his face and surveys the compound. He spots VALERIA entering her compound, accompanied by soldiers.
VALERIA (V.O.)
El Dia de Muertos es un momento de
celebración, no de miedo...
SUBTITLES: Day of the Dead is a time for celebration, not fear...
EXT. EL ASILO - VARIOUS QUICK ACTION SHOTS - EVENING
ALEJANDRO gives his men the go-ahead. They storm the compound, fighting VALERIA’s men.
INT. BUNKER - EVENING - CUT TO
A glowing ofrenda. Marigolds, candles, and papel picado decorate its surface. VALERIA places a marigold in a vase on the ofrenda.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Donde se muestra respeto y se dan
obsequios a los difuntos...
SUBTITLES: Where respect is shown and gifts are given to the deceased...
EXT. EL ASILO - EVENING - MORE ACTION SHOTS
ALEJANDRO and his men enter the main building, fighting the whole way. Feature decor from inside the building, papel picado, ofrendas, etc.
INT. BUNKER - CLOSE UP - EVENING
The back of a SUGAR SKULL. VALERIA hears gunfire, turning in response.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Como las calaveritas...
SUBTITLES: Like sugar skulls...
EXT/INT. EL ASILO/BUNKER - EVENING - INTERCUTTING
Action on the streets of El Asilo with shots of the ofrenda inside the bunker.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Cada una representando a los muertos...
SUBTITLES: Each one representing the dead...
EXT/INT. MAIN BUILDING - EVENING
Alejandro and Task Force 141 infiltrate the main building, engaging in action. Shots of Day of the Dead decorations, papel picado, candles, in corridors and rooms.
INT. BUNKER - EVENING
Valeria pauses in front of the ofrenda. Distant GUNSHOTS can be heard. The candles flicker.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Para algunos, son casi demasiados para
contar...
SUBTITLES: For some, there are almost too many to count...
INT. HALLWAY - EVENING
Alejandro leads the team to the bunker door. They prepare for a breach. CUT TO an EXPLOSION ripping open the door.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Para ustedes...
SUBTITLES: For you...
INT. DOORWAY/BUNKER - EVENING
A STYLIZED SHOT of ALEJANDRO in the doorway, his shadow casting over the ofrenda. No VALERIA in sight.
CUT TO - A CLOSE-UP
The face of the SUGAR SKULL – with SOAP, and ALEJANDRO’s name on it.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Que las calaveritas sean un recordatorio:
SUBTITLES: May the skulls be a reminder:
INT. BUNKER - EVENING
The full ofrenda is revealed. More SUGAR SKULLS sit prominently on the altar. CUT TO a TRACKING CLOSE-UP along the ofrenda. Each skull has a name on it – for each member of Task Force 141.
VALERIA (V.O.)
Su momento en la ofrenda pronto
llegará.
SUBTITLES: Your time on the altar will come soon enough.
EXT. EL ASILO - EVENING
Valeria walks off into the distance towards a waiting exfil copter. A DRONE SHOT pulls up and back, revealing the whole map.
TITLE CARD: EL ASILO DE LA MUERTE
AUDIENCE RESPONSE & RECEPTION
Audiences loved the trailer's story elements and the respectful representation of Dia de los Muertos, along with the Call of Duty lore easter eggs. Featuring two fan-favorite characters and all-Spanish dialogue boosted positive responses, increasing engagement and reach, especially in LATAM markets.
Call of Duty Channel YouTube Video Views: 101k
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