Words are out that award-winning director Steven Spielberg had already chosen someone to play the female lead in his screen adaptation of Ernie Cline's best-selling sci-fi novel, the "Ready Player One." According to various reports, Spielberg has set his eyes on Olivia Cooke of "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl."
According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Cooke is already in talks as the female lead for the next Spielberg film. Cooke is reportedly chosen from among the many stars who read lines in Los Angeles and New York. Sources for Variety also said Cooke had already landed the role of the female lead.
The Wrap previously reported that the choices were boiled down among Elle Fanning, Lola Kirke and Cooke. According to people with insider knowledge of the audition, Spielberg has yet to choose an actor to play the male lead.
If sources for THR and Variety are correct, then Cooke will play the part of Samantha Evelyn Cook or Art3mis. She is a famous Canadian blogger whose budding love story with the book's protagonist, Wade Owen Watts/Wade 3/Parzival, is complicated by their competition in search of James Halliday's Easter egg.
"Ready Player One" is set in the year 2044 where the world is already a disgusting place to be. Wade Watts tried escaping the real world by playing the virtual reality world, Oasis. There, anybody can be anything they want to be. According to the book's synopsis, Oasis creator James Halliday hides Easter eggs of which players can collect and unlock with good fortune at stake. For the past years, millions of Oasis' players have not gotten the ultimate prize. However, Wade was able to solve one puzzle and suddenly more and more players joined the hunt. The competition translated into the real world where competitors are willing to kill in real life. Now Wade has to face his fears in the real world in order to triumph in the competition. In the process, wade will also find love in the real world.
"Ready Player One" is set for Dec 15, 2017 release according to an official announcement by Warner Bros. The film marks a return to Warner Bros. for Spielberg who also directed "Empire of the Sun," "The Color Purple" and "A.I. Artificial Intelligence."
"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. 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," Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution said during the announcement.
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