“Asteroids” Game Hitting Big Screen

This is Asteroids.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Universal Pictures has won a bidding war for the film rights to the ancient Atari video game “Asteroids.” Matthew Lopez wrote the script.

Asteroids made its debut as an arcade game in 1979. It’s pretty simple. The player controls a spaceship which shoots at falling asteroids while trying not to get hit by them. I know, you see that and think, “Now THAT’S a movie!!” Well, I think it’s safe to say it won’t be a complex psychological drama, but rather an effects-heavy action adventure. Okay. Congratulations to Universal and Mr. Lopez for finding another item with some name recognition that they can attach a plot to. Why make a movie called “Asteroids” about people fighting asteroids if you can’t associate it with a brand? Granted, there are some game-into-movie projects out there that make sense–Ouija and Battleship, for example. But this feels just kind of thin and lame. I’m sure it will be a huge hit.

ComingSoon posted an “unofficial” version of the game to try out if you’re interested. Nothing wrong with the game, which is fine in a “I’m passing time on the train playing BrickBreaker” kind of way.” I’m just tired of the cynicism and brand grabbing of the studios. Are people really so dull-witted that a movie can’t get their attention unless it has something familiar associated with it? Probably.