Adam Sandler video-game comedy ‘Pixels’ set for May 2015 release

“Pixels,” an upcoming action-comedy starring Adam Sandler as an old-school joystick junkie trying to save the world from an alien attack, will open May 15, 2015, Sony Pictures announced Monday.

The summer tentpole will also star frequent Sandler collaborator Kevin James (“I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” “Grown Ups” and its sequel), Michelle Monaghan, Josh Gad and Peter Dinklage.

Based on the short film by Patrick Jean, “Pixels” centers on an invasion of Earth by aliens who have misinterpreted video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, then used the games as models for their various assaults.

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James plays the U.S. president, who calls on his childhood best friend (Sandler), an ‘80s video-game champ turned home theater installer, to lead a team of fellow 8-bit aces and save the planet.

Chris Columbus, who directed the first two “Harry Potter” movies, will helm “Pixels,” which begins shooting next month. Tim Herlihy and Timothy Dowling wrote the script.

Sandler and Columbus will also produce the movie via their respective Happy Madison and 1492 Pictures production companies, along with Allen Covert, Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe.

Sandler has starred in 14 films that have grossed more than $100 million, most recently last year’s “Grown Ups 2.” He’ll next appear on screen opposite Drew Barrymore in “Blended,” opening May 23.

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