Gamertell

Variety reported this week that superstar Leonardo DiCaprio is attached to an upcoming film based on the early days of Atari. Aptly (and likely temporarily) named “Atari”, the project is a biopic on the life of one Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and one of the very first major figures in the videogame industry. From Variety:

“Although Bushnell’s life rights had long been pursued by various suitors, Hecker and Craig Sherman convinced the gaming pioneer that they could do his unique story justice. Bushnell and Ted Dabney founded Atari Inc. in 1972 and were instrumental in bringing arcade games, home vidgame consoles and home computers to the masses.”

Apparently Bushnell himself is quite happy that such a high caliber actor/producer will portray him. MTV’s multiplayer blog had a story quoting the gaming guru’s “thrilled, happy” response to the news. Now the film just needs to get made – though Ben Fritz of the Cut Scene blog thinks the prognosis is good thanks to DiCaprio’s role as a producer.

I’ve long yearned for a film that tells the possibly sordid insider story on our very own industry. After all, the inner workings of Hollywood have long served as narcissistic fodder (and more often then not, damn good drama) for films, and it’s high time games got the same treatment.

Who else is in need of an insider biopic or seamy behind the curtains tale? I’d love to know more about the life and times (and minds!) of Tim Shafer and Will Wright, both creative geniuses in their respective rights. A biopic on the life of Richard Garriot (Lord British) would certainly be interesting – from his humble beginnings selling computer games in plastic baggies to his lofty pursuits in space and elaborate mansion parties.

I’d like to see some of the more dramatic stories on the big screen, too. Like the EA spouse and her efforts to decry the insane working conditions of game artists/programmers. Or perhaps the story of how Jack Thompson became the crazed anti-game crusader that he is today.

Even better, a fly-on-the-wall look at some of the most infamous wheeling and dealings that have gone on behind the scenes, and scandals that rocked headlines. Remember the flare up last year with Resistance: Fall of Man and the religious leaders that balked at Manchester Cathedral’s even being in the game, or the insanity (riots, shootings, chaos) behind the PS3 launch in 2006? Add some dramatic music and appropriately coiffed actors, and you have some fine, politically styled script fodder.

Ok, so maybe I’m getting a bit pie in the sky here – but the fact that serious talent is behind such a “serious” (and not strictly game-adapted) biopic is a wonderful sign of inclusion. Maybe the stigma of the videogame movie can finally be lifted.

Read [Variety] Also Read [Multiplayer]