Steven Spielberg has confirmed he is working on Warner Bros & DreamWorks' Ready Player One, with a 2017 release date in mind.
Empire reports the director showed interested in the project in March but this is the first official confirmation.
The film follows young gamer Wadd Watts, who escapes into the virtual world of Oasis, which allows global users to live the idyllic lives they want to.
But when the game's billionaire creator dies and sets up a Charlie & The Chocolate Factory-style treasure hunt for users to win his fortune, things get dangerous as rivals and corporations battle their way to the money.
Ernie Cline and Eric Eason first wrote the script before Zak Penn came aboard to pepper pop culture, video games, comic and movie references throughout.
Warner Bros and DreamWorks Productions are looking to a December 15, 2017 release date.
Watch a trailer for Spielberg's latest film Bridge of Spies starring Tom Hanks below:
