Summary
- The rumored Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 would be a finale to the rebooted MW campaign, making the involved characters more important than ever.
- Phillip Graves, the CEO of Shadow Company, may make a return in Modern Warfare 3, potentially adding a distinct identity to the trilogy and creating a new antagonist for Task Force 141.
- Graves' betrayal of Task Force 141 in Modern Warfare 2 could lead to an explosive and dramatic storyline in Modern Warfare 3 if he returns as a villain.
Details surrounding the rumored Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 are coming thick and fast as the shooter franchise gears up for its next inbound release. Leaks and confirmed features are becoming known, concerning the game's multiplayer as well as its anticipated campaign.
The single-player of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 would be the finale of the rebooted MW campaign, and so the involved characters of the story will be more important than ever. With this in mind, the return of Phillip Graves in the title would have massive implications for the release that could significantly branch away from the trilogy's source material.
Phillip Graves' Role in the Modern Warfare Story
Phillip Graves made his narrative debut in the story of the recent Modern Warfare 2, being an integral figure to the game's narrative. Graves is the CEO of Shadow Company, a high-end private military company comprised of feared mercenaries who fight for the highest bidder.
Shadow Company had an extensive role within the Verdansk storyline of Warzone, but their largest narrative presence was undoubtedly in Modern Warfare 2. In the game's campaign, Graves' Shadow Company arrives as a supporting force, working with Task Force 141 in the pursuit of internationally-wanted targets across the globe. The main characters of the story form a close bond with Graves in this way, whose charismatic leadership of Shadow Company is integral to the company's success.
However, it comes to light that Graves and his handler, General Shepherd, were responsible for the loss of devastating nuclear warheads that fell into the hands of the Iranian General Hassan Zyani. This led Graves to engage in a brutal cover-up of the bungled operation, betraying Task Force 141 who eventually uncover the truth. Graves' involvement in Modern Warfare 2 culminated in a battle against the iconic Soap MacTavish, who seemingly killed the mercenary by disabling the tank he was operating. Despite this, there is no official confirmation of Graves' death, leading to a potentially explosive involvement by him in the upcoming Modern Warfare 3.
Phillip Graves' Potential Role in Modern Warfare 3
It would be quite a bold choice for Sledgehammer Games to bring back Graves in Modern Warfare 3. Graves' survival would make for some great twists to the Modern Warfare reboot's culmination, giving the trilogy an even more distinct identity. Having Graves return would take a lot of antagonistic presence away from General Shepherd, with there essentially being two fronts of antagonists that Task Force 141 would have to deal with. Although Shepherd and Graves were allied, the partnership was purely driven by money, leading their continued working relationship to be strained following the losses sustained by both sides during Modern Warfare 2.
Graves now has a serious axe to grind with Task Force 141. This would greatly contrast Graves' past beef with 141, with there now being serious bad blood between both factions. Fans could get a glimpse into a much more sadistic and haphazard Graves in MW3 because of this, potentially making him a defining element of the game's narrative as a dramatic and memorable villain. It has been confirmed that Graves will be appearing as a multiplayer operator in the upcoming update for Warzone 2, which means character still has a clear presence in the franchise. While Graves appearance in MW3 is unconfirmed, it would clearly be an explosive addition to the release's story.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is rumored to be in development.