Warner Bros. announced today that Ready Player One, an adaptation of the best-selling novel by Ernest Cline, will hit theaters on Dec. 15, 2017. The film will be directed by Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg joined the project in March, who was surprisingly not the studio’s first pick. Other directors reportedly approached include Christopher Nolan and Peter Jackson before the project caught Spielberg’s eye.
Cline’s book was adapted by Zak Penn (The Incredible Hulk), with another draft written by Eric Eason (A Better Life) and Cline.
The 2011 novel is set in 2044, where teen Wade Watts only feels alive in a virtual utopia called OASIS. He finds a puzzle and is stuck competing against players who are willing to kill to get the prize, but he will have to confront the real world he tries to escape.
“Any film from Steven Spielberg is an event film, so it felt right to date this thrilling new project from one of our greatest filmmakers for the holiday season,” Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. President, Domestic Distribution, said in a statement.
“From the success of the book, Ready Player One already has a devoted following, and we’re excited for its fans and moviegoers everywhere to see this fantastically innovative story come to life,” Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, added. “We know it couldn’t be in better hands, and look forward to working with Steven and the producers to bring it to the big screen.”
Ready Player One will be produced by Spielberg, Donald De Line, San Farrah and Kristie Macosko Krieger. Bruce Berman is executive producer. It is a Warner Bros., Village Roadshow and DreamWorks production.
Spielberg won Best Directing Oscars for Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan. His next film, Bridge of Spies, hits theaters on Oct. 16. He’s currently finishing work on The BFG, which will open on July 1, 2016. In other words, Spielberg fans have a lot to look forward to.