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Atari Announces 10-Movie Deal With Universal But Don’t Expect Them All To Get Made
Atari has announced a 10-movie deal with Universal Pictures to adapt some of its classic video game properties for the big screen. While not all titles are expected to be made, Universal has already picked its first project, which will be an original spec from writers Matt Reilly and Carl Hampe. The deal includes iconic games such as Asteroids, Pong, and Missile Command.
There's a Breakout movie on the way as Atari signs deal to bring Pong, Asteroids, and other classic games to the big screen
Atari has partnered with Universal Pictures and Entertainment 360 to develop ten feature films based on its classic video game properties. The deal includes rights to games such as Pong, Asteroids, Breakout, and Centipede, with the aim of creating large-scale action-adventure movies. Universal has prior experience with video game adaptations, having distributed The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Five Nights at Freddy's.
Atari signs 10-game deal with Universal for movies based on Pong, Breakout, Centipede, and yes, really, Pong
Atari has signed a 10-game deal with Universal Pictures and Entertainment 360 to develop movies based on classic Atari titles. The agreement includes games like Pong, Breakout, Centipede, Asteroids, and Missile Command, with the intention of creating large-scale action-adventure films. This marks a renewed effort by Atari to leverage its iconic game properties for new media adaptations.
Atari signs deal with Universal Pictures to develop movies based on Pong, Asteroids & more
Atari has entered into a partnership with Universal Pictures, granting the film studio the first right to develop movies based on 10 of its classic video game franchises. The deal includes iconic titles such as Pong, Asteroids, and Breakout, with Universal already picking up the first project for development. This move signifies Atari's expansion into film adaptations amidst a growing trend of video game-to-movie projects.
Universal secures rights for film adaptations of 10 Atari games
Universal Pictures has secured the rights to develop film adaptations for 10 Atari video game titles. This deal signals the potential creation of an 'Atari Cinematic Universe' based on the classic game publisher's extensive library.
Even Pong is getting a live-action adaptation as Atari and Universal Pictures sign deal to make 10 movies based on some…
Atari and Universal Pictures have signed a deal to develop 10 movies based on classic Atari video game intellectual properties. A film based on Atari IP is already in development with writers Matt Reilly and Carl Hampe attached. The list of potential games for adaptation includes titles like Asteroids, Pong, and Yars' Revenge.
Evening Reading - July 22, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming and entertainment news. Highlights include reviews for Final Fantasy X/X-2 on Switch and Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, Victor Wembanyama as the NBA 2K27 cover star, and Xbox backwards compatibility on PC. Business news includes earnings reports from Tesla, Google, and SpaceX, alongside updates on BlizzCon 2026 digital bundles and the reopening of the Cinerama Dome.
Christopher Nolan's no CGI rule on The Odyssey applied even to the pig scene, and the way they brought it to life…
Director Christopher Nolan adhered to a strict no CGI rule on his film The Odyssey, even for scenes involving mythical creatures and transformations. Practical effects, such as animatronics and clever editing, were used to create the illusion of characters turning into pigs and a giant Cyclops puppet was employed for another sequence.
Matt Damon explains how The Odyssey filmed the Laestrygonian attack practically, and it's giving The Lord of the…
Matt Damon detailed how the Laestrygonian attack in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey was filmed using practical effects, including forced perspective and actors of extreme height differences, rather than CGI. The film also utilized a giant puppet for the Cyclops and animatronics for the pig scene, showcasing Nolan's commitment to practical filmmaking on a grand scale.
The Odyssey beats The Dark Knight Rises to score Christopher Nolan's biggest opening weekend ever
Christopher Nolan's new film, The Odyssey, achieved the biggest opening weekend of his career, surpassing The Dark Knight Rises with $264 million worldwide. It also secured the second-largest IMAX opening ever. The film's success is attributed to strong word-of-mouth, positive reviews, and Nolan's established brand as a filmmaker.
Thanks to movies like The Odyssey and Obsession, 2026 is on track to be the biggest box office year since the pandemic
The year 2026 is projected to be the biggest box office year since 2019, with ticket sales on par with that pre-pandemic high. This success is driven by a diverse slate of films, including "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," "Obsession," and "The Odyssey," alongside upcoming blockbusters like "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "Avengers: Doomsday." The article highlights a shift away from solely relying on superhero films, with comedies and original properties like "Obsession" also performing strongly.
The Odyssey monsters explained: 7 creatures from Greek mythology in the Christopher Nolan film
This article explains seven creatures from Greek mythology featured in Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of The Odyssey. It details characters like the Cyclops, Calypso, Laestrygonians, Circe, Sirens, Charybdis, and Scylla, providing context from both the film and original myths. The guide aims to familiarize viewers with the mythological elements present in the movie.
The Odyssey changes: 16 differences between Christopher Nolan's movie and Homer's epic poem
Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, makes numerous changes from its source material. The article details 16 significant differences, including alterations to the Trojan War's depiction, the characters of Antinous and Sinon, the Cyclops encounter, and the roles of gods like Hermes and Athena. The film also omits several characters and plot points present in the poem, such as Odysseus's father Laertes and the visit to King Alcinous, while introducing new elements like the "Sea People" and altering the fates of characters like Helen and Agamemnon.
What is the best way to watch The Odyssey in theaters?
This guide details the best ways to experience Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" in theaters, emphasizing premium large formats like IMAX 70mm and Dolby Vision. The article highlights that Nolan shot the entire film on IMAX film, making formats like IMAX 70mm the definitive viewing experience due to unparalleled detail and immersion, though these are rare. Other formats like IMAX digital, 70mm, 35mm, and Dolby Vision are also discussed as strong alternatives.
The Odyssey debuts to 98% Rotten Tomatoes score, overtaking The Dark Knight as Christopher Nolan's highest rated…
Christopher Nolan's new film, The Odyssey, has debuted with a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes, potentially becoming his highest-rated movie ever, surpassing The Dark Knight. The film, based on Homer's epic poem and starring an ensemble cast including Matt Damon and Robert Pattinson, is also projected for a strong box office opening.
The Odyssey review: "Mythological filmmaking of the highest order"
Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" is a dazzling epic adaptation of Homer's poem, praised for its astonishing scale, breathtaking visuals, and thrilling mythological creatures. While it features standout performances from Matt Damon and Tom Holland, the film occasionally suffers from a clunky start and dragging interludes. Despite minor flaws, it's considered a major film-of-the-year contender and one of Nolan's finest works, releasing in theaters on July 17.
The Odyssey could beat The Dark Knight's box office opening, marking the second highest of Christopher Nolan's…
Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, The Odyssey, is projected to have a massive box office opening, potentially earning $200 million globally. This would make it one of the highest-grossing openings of Nolan's career, surpassing Oppenheimer and potentially even The Dark Knight, though not adjusted for inflation. The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and is an epic reimagining of Homer's poem.
5 films you didn't know were inspired by The Odyssey
This article explores five films that draw inspiration from Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, often in unexpected ways. It highlights how movies like "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", "Dude, Where's My Car?", "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie", "The Warriors", and "Big Fish" recontextualize elements of Odysseus's legendary journey into various genres.
The Odyssey's runtime had to stay under three hours because of IMAX limitations
Director Christopher Nolan's new film, The Odyssey, had to adhere to IMAX's three-hour runtime limitation due to technical constraints with film platters, despite Nolan's attempts to extend it. IMAX mentor David Keighley enforced this limit, which is necessary for the projection system and audience throughput in IMAX theaters worldwide. The film is set to release on July 17.
The Odyssey star Matt Damon says Christopher Nolan didn't know how to solve the Trojan Horse scene until the day of filming: "We're just going to cram in there and figure it out"
Matt Damon revealed that director Christopher Nolan devised the filming method for the Trojan Horse scene in 'The Odyssey' on the day of shooting. Damon described the process as organic, with Nolan and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema improvising the claustrophobic sequence with the actors crammed inside.