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Ready Player One Director Was Trank
6 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Josh Trank was initially considered to direct 'Ready Player One'.
- Trank declined the directing offer twice before Steven Spielberg took over.
- Trank's career faltered after the poorly received 'Fantastic Four' film.
Filmmaker Josh Trank was initially considered for the directorial role of 'Ready Player One,' based on Ernest Cline's novel. Trank, who gained recognition for the found-footage film 'Chronicle,' had expressed significant influence from video games in his work, making him a seemingly fitting choice. However, he reportedly turned down the opportunity twice before Steven Spielberg eventually took the helm in 2015.
The decision for Trank not to direct 'Ready Player One' came amid a difficult period in his career. His 2015 adaptation of Marvel's 'Fantastic Four' was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews and fan reception, severely impacting his professional trajectory. This fallout led to the cancellation of other planned projects, including a Boba Fett-centric 'Star Wars' movie.
Steven Spielberg's eventual adaptation of 'Ready Player One' garnered a positive response for its visual spectacle and storytelling. More recently, news in 2024 indicated that an adaptation of the sequel, 'Ready Player Two,' was in development with a different director, though its current status remains uncertain.
