It looks like a 'Space Invaders' movie is actually happening

In apparent proof that Hollywood will literally make a movie out of anything, a feature film outing for the classic video game Space Invaders is moving closer to reality.

According to Deadline, Warner Bros subsidiary New Line Cinema has hired writer Greg Russo to pen a script based on the 1970s game, which is one of the most iconic arcade properties of all time.

Russo recently wrote the R-rated Mortal Kombat movie for New Line and so is already in the good graces of the studio when it comes to video game adaptations.

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The writer is also penning manga-inspired sequel Death Note 2 for Netflix and adapting the video game Saint’s Row for Men in Black: International director F. Gary Gray.

Warner Bros nabbed the rights to the Taito game property several years ago and Russo has now been tasked with fleshing out the simple premise into a feature-length, blockbuster adventure.

Arcade game adaptations don’t exactly have the most glittering track record on the big screen, with the 1993 take on Super Mario Bros a notorious flop and subsequent adaptations also falling flat.

Last year, the 1980s arcade game Rampage was adapted into a movie starring Dwayne Johnson and proved a rare success for the genre, earning more than $400m (£318m) globally despite negative reviews.

Also in the pipeline is a live-action outing for Sonic the Hedgehog, which was delayed earlier this year so that Paramount could redesign the character following a fan backlash.

Read more: Producer says fans will love Sonic redesign

Space Invaders became wildly popular almost immediately after its 1978 debut, with some arcades opening solely to house machines for the game.

When it was released on the Atari console in 1980, it sold more than two million units in its first year.