Los Angeles, March 26 (IANS): Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has been roped in by Warner Bros to helm “Ready Player One”, based on Ernest Cline's award-winning book of the same name.

Scripted by Zak Penn, the project will mark Spielberg's first collaboration with the studio since 2001's "A.I.", reports aceshowbiz.com.

“We are thrilled to welcome Steven back to Warner Bros," said Greg Silverman, president, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros.

“We had a historic series of collaborations in the 80s and 90s and have wanted to bring him back for years. As for 'Ready Player One', we have always felt that Steven was the dream director for this project,” he added.

The film is set in the year 2044. It follows outcast teenager Wade Watts who escapes from his bleak surroundings to virtual world called OASIS. He soon finds himself in a treasure hunt against powerful corporate foes and other ruthless competitors who will do anything, in the oasis or the real world, in order to win.

Coincidentally, there are some references to Spielberg in the book. He is mentioned along with other notable directors like George Lucas, David Fincher, Quentin Tarantino, and Guillermo del Toro when Watts is studying the interests of OASIS creator James Donovan Halliday.

Before Spielberg was booked for "Ready Player One", Christopher Nolan, Peter Jackson, Edgar Wright, and Matthew Vaughn were lined up as rumoured candidates. No release date has been set for the sci-fi film.

In the meantime, Spielberg is gearing to begin production of his Cold War movie "Bridge of Spies" starring Tom Hanks. He is also attached to direct an adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's book "The BFG.