Atari and Universal Sign Deal to Adapt 10 Classic Games Like Pong and Breakout into Films

As the reputation of video game adaptations has successfully shifted from notorious misfires to genuine cinematic contenders, industry pioneers are increasingly looking to translate their foundational intellectual properties onto the silver screen. According to a report by Deadline, Atari has forged a major partnership with production banner Entertainment 360 and Universal Pictures to bring ten of its most legendary arcade properties to theaters. The slate of adapted games includes:

• Asteroids
• Adventure
• Berserk
• Breakout
• Centipede
• Crystal Castles
• Millipede
• Missile Command
• Pong
• Yars’ Revenge

The cinematic journey will begin with an opening screenplay penned by the creative duo Matt Reilly and Carl Hampe, both of whom are attached to produce the project. Reilly authored the original spec script that served as the catalyst for the negotiations between Atari and Universal. Guymon Casady of Entertainment 360, who will also serve as a producer, noted, “The greatest Atari titles immersed players in abstract worlds where imagination filled in the blanks. Carl and Matt recognized an opportunity to harness that exact ethos to craft an original, blockbuster-scale narrative. From the moment we first reviewed the manuscript, we knew there was a compelling cinematic vision here.”

Reilly brings extensive studio leadership experience to the table, having previously held prominent executive positions at Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox, alongside his most recent tenure as executive vice president at Universal. Professional records indicate he currently serves as president of production and creative at The Arena—a cinematic production subsidiary of SNK, renowned among enthusiasts for classic franchises like Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters. SNK itself has experienced significant industry shifts following its acquisition by the Electronic Gaming Development Company, an entity backed by the Saudi government. Conversely, Hampe boasts a robust background in production management and supervision, having contributed to major studio releases such as 2019’s Hellboy, Jungle Cruise, and the sci-fi thriller 65. While both veterans bring profound industry acumen to the production side, this venture marks a prominent writing showcase for the pair.

Although Atari largely stepped away from home console manufacturing decades ago, the iconic brand maintains an active presence in the contemporary gaming ecosystem, recently publishing titles like Bubsy 4D and co-publishing Total Chaos. Today, Atari’s legacy is prominently carried forward by its subsidiary, Digital Eclipse, which continues to curate celebrated retrospective anthologies, including upcoming collections dedicated to classic Barbie properties and beloved Toy Story games.

[Source: Deadline]