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Universal secures rights for film adaptations of 10 Atari games
Universal Pictures has secured the rights to develop film adaptations of ten Atari games, extending Hollywood’s continued interest in turning established video-game properties into films. The agreement could bring some of gaming’s earliest and most recognisable titles to cinemas, though no release plans or confirmed projects have yet been announced.
The licensed games are Asteroids, Adventure, Berzerk, Breakout, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Millipede, Missile Command, Pong and Yars’ Revenge. Universal has bought an unspecified screenplay by Matt Reilly and Carl Hampe, to be produced by Guymon Casady, while it remains unclear whether it relates to one title or a shared franchise; Universal previously acquired Asteroids rights in 2009 without producing a film.
In short
- Universal acquired film rights to ten classic Atari games.
- An unspecified Atari-based screenplay has already been purchased.
- No film release dates or confirmed title have been announced.
Explained simply
Atari was one of the first video game companies, developing iconic titles in the 1970s and 1980s that defined the medium for generations. Games such as Pong, Asteroids and Breakout are instantly recognisable to millions today, not just to gamers but to the broader public, making them culturally significant even decades after their original release.
Hollywood has increasingly turned to video game properties as source material for films, viewing them as franchises with built-in audiences and commercial appeal. This reflects the industry's strategy of developing established properties that already have consumer recognition and fan bases ready to engage with new adaptations.
Video game adaptations have become increasingly common in cinema, though translating games into successful films remains a significant challenge. Many video game properties are acquired by studios but never actually become films, and even well-known franchises can spend years in development without ultimately being released.