Atari and Universal Pictures have teamed up to make movies based on 10 of Atari’s classic video games.
Deadline reported that Atari is making its transmedia move in collaboration with Entertainment 360.
Atari’s deal included the game franchises Asteroids, Adventure, Berzerk, Breakout, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Millipede, Missile Command, Pong and Yars’ Revenge.
“For more than five decades, Atari has created games and worlds that have remained part of popular culture long after their original release,” said Atari chairman and CEO Wade Rosen, in the Deadline story. “We are excited to work with Universal and Entertainment 360 to bring the spirit of our iconic brand and games to a new medium.”
Universal had no comment. Based on what I’ve heard, I can confirm that Atari has signed a deal with Universal Pictures and partnered with Entertainment 360 to develop and produce projects inspired by some of Atari’s iconic video game properties.
And I also heard Universal has bought their first project, a feature film based on Atari IP which will be produced by Entertainment 360’s Guymon Casady and Atari. The work is based on a screenplay by former Uni exec Matt Reilly and Carl Hampe (Hellboy, Jungle Cruise), who will also produce the movie.
We did an interview with Rosen back in May, when he noted Atari’s emphasis on retro gaming and nostalgia. To that end, Rosen has acquired game studios including Digital Eclipse, Nightdive, and Hipster Whale.