A Conversation with Ready Player One Author Ernest Cline at SXSW 2018 [Video]

"I tell everybody, everything you could ever want writing your first novel has happened to me."

The day after the World Premiere of Ready Player One, David Baszucki of Roblox interviewed best-selling novelist, screenwriter, and full-time geek Ernest Cline about the buzzed-about premiere, how Steven Spielberg got involved with the adaptation, Cline's inspirations and influences, and last but not least, his DeLorean.

"It's an honor for me to be here. I've been coming to SXSW for twenty years, I've seen a lot of film premieres and attended a lot of panels here. In the back of mind, I've always dreamed of getting to do this myself someday, but never at this level. It's great to be here in Austin and celebrate this experience with you guys.

Ready Player One is a love letter to video games and pop culture. Cline claims he grew up at the right time to make this universe possible. "I was born in 1972, which looking back is the perfect time to be writing this story," said Cline. I was born the year Pong came out and the same year coin-operated video games were created, and as such I got to be a part of the very first generation to have video games."

Cline never imagined that one of the world's most renowned directors would be interested in adapting his beloved book for the big screen. After he sold the book to Random House, a bidding war for the rights ensued. In the end Warner Bros won, and according to Cline, a miracle happened which led Spielberg to read Cline's script, then his novel, and decide to take on the film!

Ready Player One will be available to own on DVD/Blue-Ray on July 24, 2018.

Watch the video above for the full Conversation with Ernest Cline Featured Session. Browse more 2018 Keynotes, Featured Sessions, Red Carpets, and Q&A’s on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage and 2019 updates.

A Conversation with Ernest Cline - Photo by Chris Saucedo/Getty Images for SXSW