Jake Paul Gets a Star in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Trailer
The cosmos has a new, rather unusual, celestial body named in its honor. Following a high-profile cameo that saw him unceremoniously launched into the void of space, influencer and boxer Jake Paul has been "immortalized" by Activision with his very own star. This clever marketing extension follows the debut of a blockbuster new trailer for the highly anticipated title, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which featured the return of a legendary character.
The joke began with the release of the game's latest trailer, centered on the fan-favorite marketing icon, "The Replacer." Now, the publisher is ensuring the punchline has a cosmic reach, solidifying a hilarious moment in gaming promotion history.
The Replacer Returns for Black Ops 7
Earlier this week, Activision launched a new cinematic trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, marking the triumphant return of "The Replacer." The iconic character, portrayed with deadpan perfection by veteran actor Peter Stormare, has been a staple of Black Ops marketing for years. His classic role is to step into people's everyday lives—taking over their jobs, chores, and social obligations—so they have more time to play Call of Duty.
This time, however, The Replacer has taken his services to the final frontier: outer space. The trailer depicts him aboard a futuristic space station, but his mission remains the same. When one crew member laments his duties, The Replacer is there to take over. This is where Jake Paul makes his appearance.
Paul, appearing as another astronaut on the station, is quickly deemed non-essential by The Replacer. In a moment of pure comedic negligence, Stormare's character activates an airlock, ejecting the unsuspecting Paul into the cold, silent darkness of space. The scene, which also featured cameos from actor Terry Crews and beauty mogul Huda Kattan, immediately became a talking point across social media.
From the Void to a Constellation
Not content to simply leave Paul drifting through the digital cosmos, Activision's marketing team took the joke a step further. In a post published on the official Call of Duty social media channels, the company announced it had designated a star in his honor.
The post included a stylized star map featuring a newly named celestial body: JP-7. The initials clearly stand for Jake Paul, with the number 7 serving as a direct nod to Black Ops 7. While the text refers to a single "star," the accompanying graphic playfully depicts a constellation that traces Paul's initials in the night sky.
This follow-up has been widely praised by the community as a brilliant and engaging piece of marketing. Instead of letting the trailer's joke fade, Activision extended its life, creating a new wave of conversation and engagement online. It’s a multi-layered campaign that understands its audience and knows how to leverage humor to build hype for its upcoming release.
The Legacy of The Replacer
For those new to the franchise, the significance of The Replacer's return might not be immediately obvious. The character first appeared in promotions for Call of Duty: Black Ops II and instantly became a sensation. The core concept resonated with players everywhere: the fantasy of having a stoic, impossibly cool professional handle your responsibilities while you enjoy gaming.
Peter Stormare's portrayal is key to the character's success. His dry, understated delivery of lines about taking over for someone at a tedious board meeting or a parent-teacher conference creates a hilarious contrast that has defined the campaign's tone. His return for Black Ops 7, and his promotion to an outer space setting, signals that the stakes—and the excuses to play—are higher than ever before.
Influencers, Gaming, and Mainstream Appeal
The inclusion of a massive mainstream figure like Jake Paul in a Call of Duty trailer highlights a long-running and effective strategy. By featuring personalities who command huge audiences outside of the core gaming community, Activision can cast a much wider net, turning a game trailer into a viral cultural event.
Paul, with his millions of followers across multiple platforms, brings a new set of eyes to Black Ops 7. His willingness to be the punchline of the joke—getting comically jettisoned into space—makes the collaboration feel authentic and fun, rather than just a forced celebrity endorsement. It demonstrates an understanding of modern internet culture and how to create moments that are primed to be shared, clipped, and discussed for days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What game is this new trailer for?
The trailer featuring The Replacer and Jake Paul is for the upcoming title, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
Who plays The Replacer in the Call of Duty commercials?
The character of The Replacer is played by Swedish actor Peter Stormare, known for his roles in films like Fargo and John Wick: Chapter 2.
Did Call of Duty actually name a real star after Jake Paul?
No, this is a promotional stunt for the game. The "JP-7" star and constellation are part of the marketing campaign and do not represent an officially recognized astronomical designation by scientific bodies.
Who else made a cameo in the Black Ops 7 space trailer?
Alongside Jake Paul and Peter Stormare, the trailer also featured appearances by actor Terry Crews and entrepreneur Huda Kattan.