Bruno Bonnell, CEO of Atari, confirmed today that work had begun on a movie adaptation of Atari’s classic arcade game PONG. “We are all very excited to bring PONG to a new generation through the art of movie magic,” stated Bonnell in a press release.

Head writer for the screen play is Steven E. de Souza, know for other video game works such as Street Fighter and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life. Souza told Variety that “PONG is the classic story that all other video games are based on. PONG: The Official Movie of the Game will take you past the pixels.”

Few details have been released about the plot of the movie, but director Paul W.S. Anderson let a few hints slip out. “There will be awesome hand to hand combat, I can tell you that much,” blurted Anderson. “If you’ve played PONG, it will be like discovering it for the first time all over again. If you’ve never played PONG, it will be like discovering it twice. Twice much,” continued the Mortal Kombat director.

New Line Cinema head Robert K. Shaye confirmed “we are sitting on the green light button for the sequel. If PONG: The Official Move of the Game has a great opening weekend, you will be sure to see PONG: Double Agent from Hell in theaters for 2007.”

Paul Anderson let out one more bit of information to tease fans. “Antonio Banderas like you’ve never seen him before. He will play both ‘padz,’ as we’re calling them. Brothers separated at birth and trained to eliminate the other. Banderas was the only one I would consider for the job,” boasted Anderson.

Look for PONG: The Official Movie of the Game to be released in theaters for Christmas of 2006.