The popular dystopian and science fiction novel Ready Player One is going to get a taste of the Spielberg effect. Ernest Cline's novel has been picked up by Warner Bros and will be directed by Steven Spielberg.
Ready Player One will be set into motion after Spielberg's The BFG releases next year. If you have yet to jump into Ready Play One, here's a brief description of the story.
In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them.
But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.
Seriously, though, you should go read it. Like right now. It's an amazing book, especially if you're into 80s nerd culture and video games.
Ready Player One's adaptation will be the first film that Spielberg has directed alongside Warner Bros in the last 15 years. His last film with the company was A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
[Deadline]