Universal Pictures secures rights to adapt ten classic Atari titles for film
The deal includes Asteroids, Pong, and Breakout, with a spec screenplay already in development by Entertainment 360.
Universal Pictures has entered a partnership with Atari to secure the film adaptation rights for ten of the company’s classic video game properties. The agreement covers a roster of iconic titles including Asteroids, Adventure, Berzerk, Breakout, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Millipede, Missile Command, Pong, and Yars' Revenge.
The studio has already purchased a spec screenplay written by Matt Reilly and Carl Hampe, which is set to be produced by Guymon Casady at Entertainment 360. While the specific game adapted in the script has not been disclosed, Casady stated that the producers identified an opportunity to build an original, large-scale adventure rooted in the imaginative spirit of the Atari brand.
Atari Chairman and CEO Wade Rosen highlighted the enduring cultural relevance of the company’s portfolio, noting that its games and worlds have remained part of popular culture for more than five decades. Rosen expressed excitement about collaborating with Universal and Entertainment 360 to bring the spirit of these iconic properties to a new medium.
This initiative marks a renewed effort to bring Atari’s brand to the big screen, following a previous unsuccessful attempt to adapt Asteroids in 2009. Universal had acquired the rights for that earlier project, but no film was produced during the interim period.
Hollywood has increasingly turned to video games as inspiration for blockbusters, yet it remains unclear whether Universal intends to create a unified franchise combining these properties or if they will be treated as standalone films. The purchase of the spec screenplay does not guarantee that a film will be produced or released, and the concept of an Atari Cinematic Universe remains a media interpretation rather than an official strategy confirmed by the parties involved.
