Simon Pegg In Talks to Join Steven Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’

It seems Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Ready Player One is actually going to happen, as Simon Pegg is in talks to join the growing cast.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Pegg is in negotiations, though it isn’t certain who he might be playing in the film. There are a few options, but none that seem glaringly obvious. Pegg will join Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, and Ben Mendelsohn in Spielberg’s adaptation of the Ernest Cline geek-bible sci-fi adventure.

Here is the synopsis of the book, just to refresh your memory:

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.

To that end, Simon Pegg seems like a perfect fit. He’s a nerd, he stars in nerd franchises, and he’s always a lot of fun. Ready Player One is hoping for a June production kickoff with a (tentative) release date of March 30, 2018.