A Surprising Classic Arcade Game Is Getting a Movie (& It’s the Perfect Choice)

One timeless classic from the world of arcade games is set to make its debut on the big screen. Historically, video game adaptations have had varying degrees of success, but in recent years, Hollywood has managed to strike gold with such projects. Paramount’s successful run of the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ series, currently preparing for its fourth installment, is a testament to this trend. The animated ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’, released in 2023, was one of the biggest box office hits of that year, raking in over $1 billion. Even ‘Uncharted’, which wasn’t particularly well-received by critics, still managed to earn $401.7 million globally. Now, another cherished game is aiming to join this esteemed group.

As a movie enthusiast myself, I’m thrilled to share that the dynamic duo, Ben Zazove and Evan Turner, have been recruited to write the screenplay for a Space Invaders film. Unfortunately, specifics about the project are being tightly guarded at this point. It remains unclear when production will start, and no release date has been announced yet. As things stand now, there’s no director or cast confirmed for the Space Invaders movie.

For several years now, there have been plans for a movie based on the iconic arcade game “Space Invaders.” In fact, Warner Bros. obtained the rights to produce such a film way back in 2014. Since then, various screenwriters like Greg Russo and Dan Kunka have been involved in the project, but unfortunately, the movie has yet to see the light of day.

Moving forward, Warner Bros. Discovery plans to put out 12-14 films annually under four main labels. One of these labels is New Line Cinema, which will produce around 3-4 movies every year. Besides Space Invaders, there are other video game adaptations in the pipeline at WBD, with Mortal Kombat II featuring Karl Urban as Johnny Cage set to premiere in October this year.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the timeless charm of the classic game “Space Invaders.” Despite its simplicity – where you merely shoot at faceless alien adversaries – the fundamental concept holds immense potential for a cinematic masterpiece. If you consider films like “Independence Day,” which essentially brought the live-action version of this game to life, showcasing humanity uniting to combat an extraterrestrial threat, then it’s clear that alien invasions are a staple in sci-fi cinema (think H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds”). Therefore, transforming the concept of “Space Invaders” into a feature film seems like a promising endeavor within the realm of science fiction.

As a proponent, I’d rephrase that as follows: The challenge lies in crafting a unique and distinct take on the classic game, Space Invaders, without giving the impression of merely recreating Independence Day. Some filmgoers might view this as an insurmountable task, especially considering New Line’s potential reliance on brand recognition for financial gains. However, films like The LEGO Movie and Barbie have demonstrated that established intellectual properties can serve as a launchpad for captivating, heartfelt, entertaining, and thought-provoking narratives. If Zazove and Turner manage to collaborate with the right director who brings a fresh perspective to Space Invaders, it could lead to an intriguing cinematic experience. Provided the project takes off this time around, I’m eager to see how it unfolds.

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2025-08-09 00:21