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Pac-Man Creator Attends Pixels Film Premiere
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Pac-Man original creator Tōru Iwatani came out for the world premiere of Sony Pictures Pixels film in New York City on Saturday.
"I'm very happy to have played some part in a game-themed movie," Iwatani stated at the premiere. "I think it's a well-done film that families and game fans can enjoy."
He was impressed by the film's realization of 2D video game characters and was greatly amused at his character's interaction with the monstrous Pac-Man.
Iwatani appears in the film, albeit by actor Denis Akiyama. Akiyama, along with the film's cast Adam Sandler, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, Jane Krakowski, Ashley Benson and Brian Cox were also at the premiere. A giant Pac-Man and Centipede were also on site, the latter measuring 10 meters (33 feet) long.
The film features the video game franchises Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Centipede, Galaga, Frogger, Q*bert, and Space Invaders. Several video game companies and license-holders — including Atari, Konami, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Nintendo, Columbia Pictures Industries, Taito, and Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment — collaborated with Sony Pictures on the film.
Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire) directed the feature about a former retro game champion who is summoned by the President of the United States to fend off an alien attack on Earth.
Pixels will open nationwide on July 24 before opening in Japan on September 12.
Source: Anime! Anime!, The Hollywood Reporter
