Ernest Cline’s beloved sci-fi novel, Ready Player One, is getting a sequel. Ballantine Books, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House, will publish the follow-up which is simply titled Ready Player Two. The initial report comes from The Hollywood Reporter, though Cline has been working on the sequel for several years. Ready Player Two will release in North America on November 24th. International release dates and plot details are unknown.
Released in 2011, Ready Player One was Cline’s first novel. It rose in popularity quickly, staying at the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestsellers List for over 100 weeks. The book received 37 different language translations across 58 countries. In 2018, Steven Spielberg adapted it to decent reviews and high box office numbers. Cline’s second novel, 2015’s Armada, is also receiving a film adaptation at Universal.
The Story So Far in Ready Player One
Ready Player One takes place in the somewhat dystopian 2045. Most citizens spend their time in the Oasis, a VR world that lets users design their own avatar and live a second life. It follows Wade Watts, a poor teenager trying to complete several challenges left behind by the Oasis’ deceased creator, James Halliday. Completing the challenges will earn him Halliday’s $500 billion fortune and ownership of the Oasis. Unfortunately, there’s an evil corporation hot on his tail bent on ruling over the virtual world.
The book featured a ton of references to 1980s pop culture as Oasis users can obtain weapons, vehicles, and other items from Halliday’s childhood. However, Spielberg’s adaptation went above and beyond in this regard. The Oasis featured all manner of Easter Eggs from the Iron Giant to Overwatch‘s Tracer to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Given how successful the movie was, it wouldn’t be surprising if Spielberg chose to adapt the sequel as well. Olivia Cooke, who played Samantha Cook/Art3mis, is signed on for any sequels if they should be made. Additionally, it would be expected for lead Tye Sheridan to return for a sequel.