Disney has its “Wreck-It Ralph,” now Sony has “Pixels,” a family feature that includes characters from popular video games.
Just days before it presents the film at San Diego Comic-Con, Sony has revealed an impressive roster of icons from ’80s properties, including Pac-Man, Frogger and Donkey Kong, who will appear in the Adam Sandler comedy, directed by Chris Columbus.
Other properties set to appear in the movie include “Asteroids,” “Breakout,” “Centipede” and “Missile Command” from Atari Interactive; “Galaga” and “Dig-Dug” (Bandai Namco, who also owns “Pac-Man”); “Q*bert” (Columbia Pictures Industries); “Space Invaders” (Taito Corp); and “Joust,” “Defender,” “Robotron” and “Wizard of Wor” (Warner Bros. Interactive). Nintendo owns “Donkey Kong,” while Konami Digital Entertainment has “Frogger.”
“There would be no way to make the movie without these legendary characters,” Columbus said.
Popular on Variety
Based on a short film that had classic arcade characters invade New York City (see the original short below with Donkey Kong, above), Sony’s version, that plays in theaters May 15, 2015, features a similar plot in which intergalactic aliens invade Earth when they misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them. The comedy also stars Josh Gad, Kevin James, Peter Dinklage and Michelle Monaghan.
Producers said it was critical to have well-known games involved in the film since they’re part of the DNA of the project.
“We approached them with a deep love for their characters and a respect for the elements that make them unique and iconic, and we’ve worked with the companies to incorporate those elements into the film,” said “Pixels” producer Allen Covert.
To promote the movie and its characters, Sony will build a Pixels Electric Dreams Factory at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, that’s open to Comic-Con badge holders 13 years old and up.
“There’s no better way for the core Comic-Con audience to interact with the movie than to get a hands-on refresher on the games that will be a part of it,” said Dwight Caines, president, theatrical marketing for Sony Pictures.
