‘Ready Player One’: Elle Fanning And More Up For Female Lead
Ready Player Oneis readying a cast.Elle Fanning,Olivia Cooke, andLola Kirkeare vying for the female lead in theSteven Spielbergpicture, which is based on the novel byErnest Cline. In addition,Nick Robinsonis reportedly being eyed for the male lead. Get the latest on theReady Player Onefemale lead casting after the jump.TheWrapbroke the news about theReady Player Onefemale lead. Fanning, Cooke, and Kirke are all expected to test for the role of Art3mis, along with a couple of other actresses whose names remain unknown. Casting directorEllen Lewisis narrowing down the field of contenders while Spielberg finishes up his work onBridge of SpiesandThe BFG.
Art3mis is a VR avatar who encounters protagonist Wade Watts in the VR universe OASIS, where both are on the hunt for a hidden Easter egg. Whoever finds that egg stands to inherit the multi-billion-dollar OASIS fortune, as decreed by its creator James Halliday. (There was somespeculationGene Wildercould emerge from retirement to play Halliday, but so far it’s just a rumor.)
Fanning is the best known of the three potential leads. Her recent credits includeMaleficentandThe Boxtrolls, she recently wrapped Nicolas Winding Refn’sThe Neon Demon. Kirke made an impression in David Fincher’sGone Girland currently stars in Noah Baumbach’sMistress America.
Cooke is a regular on A&E’sBates Motel, but her real breakthrough might be the Sundance crowdpleaserMe and Earl and the Dying Girl. Just this week, she wasreported to be in the running(alongside Tatiana Maslany and Gina Rodriguez) forStar Wars Episode VIII.
As for who’ll play Wade,Variety’s Justin Krollhas heard Robinson is one of the possibilities. The young actor made a splash in the coming-of-age indieKings of Summer, before nabbing a major role in the Spielberg-producedJurassic World. Next up for him is theunfortunately generic-lookingdystopian YA thrillerThe 5th Wave.
