An unfilmable sci-fi blockbuster dominating on Netflix, had to fight a real-world battle to exist
By Jonathan Klotz | Published
Science fiction often features bold visuals that bring the impossible to life, from gigantic space stations to breathtaking alien life forms unlike anything found on Earth. Authors don’t have to worry about how their stories will come to life on the big screen, which sometimes means filmmakers have to find creative ways to make the impossible possible.
Steven Spielberg faced a daunting challenge when he took on the adaptation of Ready Player Onea challenge that would have dissuaded any other director from attempting it. However, Spielberg took the upper hand and brought the film to life by conquering the most daunting aspect of any creative project: securing the copyright.
Ready Player One turns a fairly standard story of a dystopian Earth where residents spend more time in a virtual world under the control of a megacorporation into a visual spectacle filled with everyone transforming into the Captain America “I got that reference” meme every 30 seconds. Author Ernest Cline has filled every inch of the novel with references to movies, video games, and TV shows, without any copyright concerns. From Rush’s music to the inclusion of Firefly Serenity and Star Trek’s Enterprise, it sacrifices plot to be an entertaining read.
The story centers on Wade (Tye Sheridan), who uses the alias Parzival to log into OASIS, the massive online game that dominates the company, as he attempts to solve the mystery behind its founder, James Halloway (Mark Rylance). Whoever finds the hidden keys will unlock the secret to taking control of the OASIS. He soon meets Art3mis (Olivia Cooke) and Aethe (Lena Waithe) in the world of virtual reality, and together they crack the code, find the keys, and save the day.
This is not a spoiler because Ready Player One is the type of light family entertainment that Steven Spielberg perfected with AND Like the book, the film is about the pleasure of travel. For the viewer, or at least for the Warner Bros. legal department, bringing OASIS to life with over 100 references to other properties was the copyright equivalent of participating in the Olympics.
Spielberg’s battle to fend off lawyers
Spielberg has explained in interviews that production began by securing as many royalties as possible for the film and, by his estimates, they secured about 80% of the studio’s wish list. The most significant omissions from the novel are the Rush album 2112, Blade Runner, War Games, and the Dungeons & Dragons module “The Tomb of Horrors.“ Instead, the film included a Mario Kart-style racing sequence, and thanks to Spielberg, The Shinings Overlook Hotel played an important role in the film.
Who framed Roger Rabbit? managed to get Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny to appear together on screen, but Ready Player Onein a scene, set up Halo Spartans, Street fighter Chun-Li, Overwwatch Tracer, Godzilla, Gundam Mobile Suit, The iron giant, Firefly, Back to the futureand to prove how deep millennial nostalgia is, Crazy ballsall set to Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” which Dee Snyder probably allowed while sniggering about the script. Eagle-eyed viewers will find dozens of other Easter eggs, and once again, the novel and film didn’t become massive hits for any reason other than knowing how to have fun.
Spielberg’s Copyright Crusade Pays Off
In the cinemas, Ready Player One earned over $470 million, easily turning a profit, and it’s increased the total since thanks to Blu-Ray and streaming deals. It’s now available on Netflix, where it’s hanging around the edge of the Top Ten. Watching the Spielberg show at home is the best way to see it since you can pause the screen and point like Leonardo DiCaprio every time you catch another Easter egg.
Science fiction can only exist for fun, after all, Ready Player One doesn’t have a message about spending too much time in a virtual world filled with pop culture characters putting a friendly face on corporate greed. This would never happen in our world.
The same weekend Ready Player One arrived on Netflix, The Simpsons has also arrived in Fortnite.
