Steven Spielberg is to bring to life the story of Ready Player One on the big screen.

The cult sci-fi novel about life in a virtual world, written by Ernest Cline, is being adapted into a movie by Warner Bros and Deadline has reported that Spielberg has signed up to direct.

Casting is not yet known for Ready Player One, set in the year 2044 when most of humanity escapes the horrible place the world has become by living their lives hooked up to the Oasis, a virtual utopia incorporating 10,000 planets that lets you be anything you want to be, and do anything you want to do.

Spielberg is returning to Warner Bros after 14 years (Reed Saxon/AP)
Spielberg is returning to Warner Bros after 14 years (Reed Saxon/AP)

Oasis creator James Halliday has hidden a prize of a massive fortune within the virtual world, that can only be found by unlocking a series of puzzles, based on 20th century pop culture. Spielberg’s films, including Indiana Jones and E.T. are among the pop culture references in the book.

But when protagonist Wade Watts finally stumbles on the first puzzle, he sparks a global hunt, that sees others willing to kill to beat him to the prize.

Ready Player One is expected to be Spielberg’s next movie after The BFG, which is due to film this year for a 2016 release.

The project will also mark Spielberg’s return to Warner Bros after a 14-year absence. The last film he directed there was A.I. Artificial Intelligence in 2001.