Warner Bros. isn’t ready to play against Disney.
When Disney announced last month that “Star Wars: Episode VIII” would be moving from a May 2017 release date to December 2017, it resulted in what would have been a showdown between two of my favorite things in the world: “Star Wars” and Steven Spielberg.
“Ready Player One,” based on the book by Ernest Cline, is Spielberg’s current project, with casting still underway. However, Warner Bros. gave the month of December to “Star Wars” and moved “Ready Player One” to March 2018. With the current box office figures for “The Force Awakens” exceeding a billion dollars, this is probably a good business decision.
But it’s a decision that makes me sad. This means no Spielberg movie in 2017. However, this summer will see the release of “The BFG,” Spielberg’s adaptation of the Roald Dahl story, so I have that to look forward to.
“Ready Player One” could be one of the director’s most exciting, action-packed films in years. He’s focused on more personal films, often based on true events with his latest projects, and I’m thrilled he’s returning to realms of fantasy and adventure.
Here’s a synopsis from Amazon:
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.
I just finished reading the book, and while I have no idea how Spielberg plans to depict the virtual world of OASIS, the story is full of pop culture references and plenty of action sequences, including one major scene with giant robots. Spielberg. Video games. Giant robots. Add in a John Williams score and I’m swooning with anticipation.
Alas, now I must wait until March 30, 2018. But I’ll be ready.