Tye Sheridan Lands Lead In Steven Spielberg's 'Ready Player One'

Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse The young career of Tye Sheridan, who has starred in nine feature films to date, has been quite impressive. His debut was in Terrence Malick‘s "The Tree Of Life," and from there he’s worked with Jeff Nichols ("Mud"), David Gordon Green ("Joe"), and Rick Alverson ("Entertainment"), while up ahead he’s got a handful of indie pictures plus a little something called "X-Men: Apocalypse" on his plate. And now he’s going to star in what might be his biggest movie to date.

READ MORE: Steven Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’ Moves To 2018, Gets Out Of The Way Of ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’

Sheridan has landed the lead role in Steven Spielberg‘s "Ready Player One," emerging as the top choice after a lengthy search that included an open casting call. Joining Olivia Cooke and Ben Mendelsohn, he’ll play Wade Watts, a teenager who journeys into the virtual world known as Oasis, battling others in the hunt for a grand prize left behind by the game’s founder. Zak Penn ("X-Men: Last Stand," "The Avengers") has adapted Ernest Cline‘s novel. Here’s the 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.  

"Ready Player One" will open on March 30, 2018. [THR]