Atari Signs Major Movie Deal with Universal Pictures for 10 Iconic Video Games

Atari has signed a first-look deal with Universal Pictures to develop films based on ten of its classic video game properties, according to Deadline. Universal has already purchased the first project from this new partnership.

The agreement gives Universal priority in adapting the retro game library for the big screen. The studio has moved quickly, buying a feature film based on Atari intellectual property to be produced by Entertainment 360’s Guymon Casady.

What games are being adapted?

The ten properties slated for development are Asteroids, Adventure, Berzerk, Breakout, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Millipede, Missile Command, Pong, and Yars’ Revenge. The aim is to transform these foundational arcade and home console titles into large-scale action-adventure movies.

Who is making the first film?

The initial project stems from an original screenplay by Matt Reilly, a former Universal executive turned writer-producer, and Carl Hampe, whose credits include work on the Hellboy and Jungle Cruise franchises. Both will also produce the film alongside Casady.

Atari Chairman and CEO Wade Rosen highlighted the enduring appeal of the brand in confirming the deal. "For more than five decades, Atari has created games and worlds that have remained part of popular culture long after their original release," Rosen told Deadline. "We are excited to work with Universal and Entertainment 360 to bring the spirit of our iconic brand and games to a new medium."

Producer Guymon Casady shared the creative team's personal connection to the material. "Matt Reilly and I grew up playing Atari 2600 games and have remained fans ever since," he said. "The best Atari games dropped you into a world and let your imagination do the rest. Carl and Matt saw an opportunity to take that same spirit and build an original, large-scale adventure around it."