‘Ready Player Two’ Update Sequel Script in Progress by Zak Penn

Franchise sequels often linger in development limbo for years, fading from discussions until fans assume the project is permanently shelved. This was the fate many believed had befallen the follow-up to a beloved sequel novel, which had gone silent since its initial announcement.

However, that silence has finally been broken, arriving at a time when fans had nearly lost hope of seeing this world return to the big screen. What began as a hopeful ending in 2018 has spent years waiting for its next chapter to unfold.

Screenwriter Zak Penn, who penned the original film, confirmed exclusively to The Direct that he is currently working on the script for ‘Ready Player Two,’ marking the most significant update on the long-rumored sequel in years. Speaking on the red carpet for ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,’ Penn stated, “I am working on it.”

This confirmation puts to rest years of uncertainty about whether Warner Bros. had quietly abandoned plans for the sequel. The film is based on Ernest Cline’s 2020 novel of the same name, continuing the story first told in 2018’s ‘Ready Player One,’ which followed Wade Watts and his friends racing to gain control of the virtual reality world known as the OASIS.

Plans for the sequel first emerged in July 2020, with the film initially expected to release around 2028. Given that timeline, a 2027 production start remains technically feasible, although no official shooting schedule has been confirmed at this time.

Steven Spielberg’s involvement has also been a recurring question mark over the years, which was partially resolved in March 2024. At an industry event, Spielberg confirmed he would serve as a producer on ‘Ready Player Two’ rather than return to the director’s chair, raising questions about how involved he would be in shaping the sequel’s creative direction.

Penn’s continued role as writer provides a reassuring connection for fans hoping the sequel captures the essence of the original. Having co-written the first film’s screenplay alongside author Ernest Cline, Penn has a deep understanding of the source material and the tone that made the original such a cherished adaptation.

The original ‘Ready Player One’ concluded with Wade sharing ownership of the OASIS with his friends while instituting regular shutdowns to encourage people to reconnect with the real world, leaving many narrative doors open for a sequel to explore. ‘Ready Player Two,’ the novel, continues that story with new stakes and challenges within the digital universe created by Cline.

While no casting updates, director attachments, or firm release timelines have been shared alongside this news, Penn’s confirmation that he is actively writing indicates genuine progress on a project that had largely faded from fans’ minds. For those who fell in love with Wade Watts and the OASIS back in 2018, this update offers the first real sign that their next adventure might actually be on the horizon.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!