
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.”
Related Stories
VIP+‘Hacks’ Post-Emmys Boost Highlights Max’s HBO Problem

Toxic Fandom: How Hollywood Is Battling Fans Who Are ‘Just Out for Blood’ — From Social Media Boot Camps to Superfan Focus Groups
“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.
Read More About:
Jump to CommentsMore from Variety

‘SNL’ Mocks VP Debate: JD Vance and Tim Walz Get Way Too Friendly, Vance Complains About Fact Checking

What Film Fund From AI Startup Runway Means for Content’s Future

Vance-Walz Debate Draws 43.2 Million Viewers, Down 25% From 2020 VP Faceoff

Tim Walz-JD Vance Debate: How to Watch the VP Debate Live Online

Late-Night TV vs. YouTube: Data-Driven Tips on Which Is Better for Celebs Promoting Films

Tim Walz and JD Vance Hold Civil Debate on Immigration, Economy and Jan. 6
Most Popular
Inside the 'Joker: Folie à Deux' Debacle: Todd Phillips ‘Wanted Nothing to Do’ With DC on the $200 Million Misfire

‘Kaos’ Canceled After One Season at Netflix

‘Menendez Brothers’ Netflix Doc Reveals Erik’s Drawings of His Abuse and Lyle Saying ‘I Would Much Rather Lose the Murder Trial Than Talk About Our…

Saoirse Ronan Says Losing Luna Lovegood Role in ‘Harry Potter’ Has ‘Stayed With Me Over the Years’: ‘I Was Too Young’ and ‘Knew I Wasn't Going to Get…

‘Joker 2’ Axed Scene of Lady Gaga’s Lee Kissing a Woman at the Courthouse Because ‘It Had Dialogue in It’ and ‘Got in the Way’ of a Music…

Kathy Bates Won an Oscar and Her Mom Told Her: ‘You Didn't Discover the Cure for Cancer,’ So ‘I Don't Know What All the Excitement Is About…

Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried to Star in ‘The Housemaid’ Adaptation From Director Paul Feig, Lionsgate

Kamala Harris Cracks Open a Miller High Life With Stephen Colbert on ‘The Late Show’

‘Skyfall’ Director Sam Mendes Says James Bond Studio Prefers Filmmakers ‘Who Are More Controllable’: ‘I Would Doubt’ I’d…

Christopher Nolan’s Next Movie: Matt Damon in Talks to Star in Universal Film Set for Summer 2026

Must Read
- Film
COVER | Sebastian Stan Tells All: Becoming Donald Trump and Starring in 2024’s Most Controversial Movie
By Andrew Wallenstein 3 weeks
- TV
Menendez Family Slams Netflix’s ‘Monsters’ as ‘Grotesque’ and ‘Riddled With Mistruths’: ‘The Character Assassination of Erik and Lyke Is Repulsive…

- TV
‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 Part 2 to Air on CBS After Paramount Network Debut

- TV
50 Cent Sets Diddy Abuse Allegations Docuseries at Netflix: ‘It’s a Complex Narrative Spanning Decades’ (EXCLUSIVE)

- Shopping
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Sets Digital and Blu-ray/DVD Release Dates

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Variety Confidential
ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXKAjp%2BgpaVfo7K4v46pmJxlnZa7brDOp6KesV2gvK%2BzjJqkqKaXYoVxv4yvoJ2dn2K0ornEZqCcp56oerW7jJqnqZ2Rp3qquoyam5qlXaiur7DLnqlmqJmtsq2%2FjGppaWlia4N1gpVo