Unless you have been completely ignoring the commercials on TV, online or in the theaters, you more than likely have heard of the movie Ready Player One (trailer) that is currently in theaters. It is based on a book by the author “Ernest Cline“, that has received a lot of attention since its release in 2011. Now, you may or may not have had any interest initially to go see it (if you never read the book), but if you are a geek (or an fan of the 80’s) by any means, you might want to give it a chance. Although it strays from the book in so many ways, the director (the legendary Steven Spielberg) did a fantastic job of creating an incredible film that earned the respect from so many, who have flocked to go get their hands on the book.
Now, thanks to the success of Ready Player One (now over $191 million worldwide), Ernest’s second book, titled “Armada“, has begun its journey to the big screen as Universal has given it the green light to move forward. Dan Mazeau (known for Wrath of the Titans) has supposedly been chosen for the task of Screenwriter, and will be working with Ernest (who had already prepared a rough draft) on the screenplay.
Armada is Ernest’s second novel, although not a sequel to Ready Player One. It stands alone with a whole new story, with a few borrowed patterns from his other book (such as long list of 80’s/90’s references). This book can more closely be compared to The Last Starfighter, as it surrounds a male teenager (another similarity) who spends his time playing his favorite games, including Armada, a space shooter fending off an alien invasion. Little does he know, there is more to the game than just simple entertainment, and he learns this quickly as he witnesses a UFO in the real world that looks identical to the one in his game. Soon he is sucked into a reality where he learns the game is quite real, as the Earth really is fending off an invasion (the game was just there to train users and assess their skills), and they need his skills to win. There are twists and reunions that reveal a delightful story that doesn’t surprise the reader that it came from the author of Ready Player One. Sadly, it isn’t as good as Ready Player One in book form, but anyone who has ready it, has more than likely thought at some point that “this would make for one hell of a movie!”.
Ernest had only written these two books, not having anything before Ready Player One. He had never expected it to blow up into what it is today. Now, two for two for the big screen, he is looking at quite the future as he also plans on a sequel for Ready Player One (no details just yet)–which you know will make its way to the big screen as well.
Armada, coming to a theater near you (in a few years or so).
