Leonardo DiCaprio to Play Atari Founder in Upcoming Film

Nolan Bushnell hasn’t really been a household name as of late, but it might be again soon. And, no it’s not because he’ll be opening anymore Chuck E’ Cheeses. Leonardo DiCaprio, the dashing teen idol turned Oscar nominee is slated to portray the Atari founder in an upcoming biopic film by writers Brian Hecker and Craig Sherman titled, simply, Atari. Originally reported by insider publication, Variety, the film, which is being released by Paramount, will explore the life and times of our favorite father of Pong. In an interview with MTV’s Multiplayer blog Bushnell said he was thrilled to be played by the star of Titanic, and really who wouldn’t?

So what Bushnell chapters do you hope to see in the film? Here are a few of my personal favorites:

(1) The invention of Pong.
(2) The offer, which he refused, to buy the original apple computer design from Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak (the word on the street is that Macs are no good for gaming, but come on, really?).
(3) Buying the mansion owned by coffee baron James Folgers with the profits from the sale of Atari.
(4) The absolute disaster that was E.T.
(5) Anything to do with Chuck E’ Cheese (aka Showbiz Pizza) because really what childhood is complete without at least a few birthday party’s with everyone’s favorite animatronic mouse?

The bottom line is that I’m kind of excited for this crazy movie, and not just because it seems to make no commercial sense. Bushnell, for all intensive purposes, is a father of gaming. He and just a handful of others, made gaming what it is today. Anything that can help people better understand what you and I love, seems pretty good to me. Well as long as it’s good. Here’s hoping we don’t have another The Beach on our hands.