Edgar Wright, Peter Jackson and More on 'Ready Player One' Shortlist

Over the last couple of days, rumors have been swirling that the folks at Warner Bros. have offered Christopher Nolan the director’s chair for the adaptation of Ernest Cline’s novel ‘Ready Player One.’ While it seems pretty unlikely that Nolan would take the job, a few more names have emerged, also reportedly on WB’s director shortlist: Robert Zemeckis, Edgar Wright (of course), Peter Jackson, and Matthew Vaughn.

At this point, it’s pretty safe to assume that WB offers just about every major project to Christopher Nolan, given his relationship with the studio. But ‘Ready Player One’ doesn’t sound like the kind of project Nolan would want to take on. However, Ain’t It Cool News reports that WB has a shortlist of directors, and that Robert Zemeckis is the studio’s “dream pick.” This would make sense, considering that ‘Ready Player One’ references Zemeckis’ work, and the tone is more in keeping with his projects.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything new about the ‘Ready Player One’ adaptation, but it seems like WB is finally ready to make a move on the project. Here’s the official book synopsis:

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.

Also on the list to direct: ‘X-Men: First Class’ director Matthew Vaughn, who also helmed the upcoming ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service,’ and who seems like a much more likely choice than Nolan. Another director who has a long relationship with WB is Peter Jackson, who is also on the list, and we’re all curious to see what he’ll do now that he’s done with the ‘Hobbit’ trilogy. Edgar Wright’s name is also mentioned, but lately it seems as though Wright’s name has been appearing as a candidate on studio wish lists more often. Wright has a couple of projects lined up already—’Baby Driver,’ and an adaptation of the novel ‘Grasshopper Jungle’—so it would be a bit surprising if he took the job.