Exclusive: Atari has partnered with Universal Pictures and Entertainment 360 to secure first-look development rights for 10 classic Atari video game properties. Universal Pictures has acquired the first project, a feature film based on an Atari IP, with Guymon Casady producing from a screenplay by Matt Reilly and Carl Hampe, who will also serve as producers.
“For over five decades, Atari has crafted games and immersive worlds that have become enduring parts of popular culture,” said Chairman and CEO Wade Rosen. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Universal and Entertainment 360 to bring the spirit of these iconic brands and games to the big screen.”
The 10 properties include fan favorites: Asteroids, Adventure, Berzerk, Breakout, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Millipede, Missile Command, Pong, and Yars’ Revenge. The initiatives aim to develop large-scale action-adventure films inspired by these timeless games.
The project originated from an original screenplay by Reilly, a veteran studio executive at Universal who transitioned to screenwriting and producing, and Hampe, whose credits include Hellboy and Jungle Cruise.
“Matt Reilly and I grew up playing Atari 2600 games and have remained devoted fans,” said Entertainment 360’s Guymon Casady. “The best Atari games dropped you into a world and let your imagination do the rest. Carl and Matt envisioned translating that same spirit into an original, expansive cinematic adventure. From the moment we read the screenplay, we knew there was a strong film opportunity.”
Atari is represented by IAG and Vanderkloot Law. Universal has not commented.