Steven Spielberg Casts His Lead for ‘Ready Player One’

The Ready Player One cast is coming together as Steven Spielberg and Co. near production. Tye Sheridan has been cast as Wade, the lead of the film, according to the report in Deadline.

In Ernest Cline’s novel, Wade is the protagonist of the story, a man consumed by the treasure hunt within the confines of the expansive virtual-reality world. Sheridan, whose breakout role came in Jeff Nichols’ Mud, seems to fit the mold of Wade’s online character, Parzival. Wade’s real-world persona is a bit heftier, but that shouldn’t be an issue.

Here is a synopsis of Ready Player One from the novel:

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.

Sheridan joins Olivia Cooke, playing Art3mis, and Ben Mendelsohn as the villain, Nolan Sorrento. He can also be seen playing Cyclops this summer in X-Men: Apocalypse.