2018 SXSW Film Festival Announces World Premiere of Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One

The SXSW Conference and Festivals is thrilled to announce the World Premiere of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the global bestseller by Ernest Cline, will screen at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday, March 11, at 9:30pm.

In the year 2045 people can escape their harsh reality in the OASIS, an immersive virtual world where you can go anywhere, do anything, be anyone — the only limits are your own imagination. OASIS creator James Halliday left his immense fortune and control of the OASIS to the winner of a contest designed to find a worthy heir. When unlikely hero Wade Watts conquers the first challenge of the reality-bending treasure hunt, he and his friends — known as the High Five — are hurled into a fantastical universe of discovery and danger to save the OASIS and their world.

Spielberg directed Ready Player One from a screenplay by Zak Penn and Cline. The film was produced by Donald De Line, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Spielberg, and Dan Farah. Adam Somner, Daniel Lupi, Chris deFaria and Bruce Berman served as executive producers. The film stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, T.J. Miller, Philip Zhao, Win Morisaki, and Hannah John-Kamen with Simon Pegg and Mark Rylance.

“We are thrilled to be premiering Ready Player One at SXSW,” said Janet Pierson, Director of Film. "The film brings to the screen a story that has captivated millions of readers around the globe, written by Austin’s very own Ernest Cline. And in the hands of Steven Spielberg —inarguably one of our greatest directors —we know the film is going to be a special cinematic event for our attendees. We also look forward to the Ready Player One Experience, which brings us into both the physical and virtual worlds of the film."

Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment present, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, an Amblin Production, a De Line Pictures Production, a Steven Spielberg Film, Ready Player One. Opening on March 29, 2018 in 2D and 3D in select theaters and IMAX, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. This film has been rated PG-13. More info at readyplayeronemovie.com.

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Ready Player One photo courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures