When a feature film adaptation of Ready Player One was in the works, author Ernest Cline was candid about his doubts the movie would ever happen. Not only can development be a fickle beast, but the book is so packed with IP from various rights holders that including just a fraction of the references from the book would cost a boatload. As it turns out, Warner Bros. landed possibly the only director who could both navigate the various licensing issues and cut great deals: Steven Spielberg.
While the film takes place in the future and revolves around the virtual reality world of the OASIS, it’s packed to the gills with references to books, movies, video games, cartoons, and more from various decades—but mostly the 80s. A new trailer arrived over the weekend that revealed even more Easter Eggs in the film, including a character from the fairly new video game Overwatch, King Kong, and more than one Street Fighter character.
Here’s what we spotted—and click on any image for high-resolution.
Speed Racer and the ’66 Batmobile
In one of the opening shots of the trailer, we see IOI cars getting ready for a race, but peppered throughout there are a couple of other notable vehicles. Namely the Mach 5 from Speed Racer over to the left, and the 1960s Batmobile in the foreground. You can also see Street Fighter’s Ryu walking through the crowd, towards the left.
Wade’s DeLorean
This one’s not hard to spot, as Wade Watts’ (Tye Sheridan) signature mode of transportation in the OASIS is the DeLorean from Back to the Future.
Madballs
Everyone’s favorite rubber 90s toy shows up as graffiti in the Stacks.
Kaneda’s Bike
Olivia Cooke’s character Art3mis rides Kaneda’s bike from Akira in the OASIS, which can be seen here.
Bitcoin
“Oasis Coin” is teased in a newspaper clipping, teasing the currency used in the Oasis which is somewhat similar to Bitcoin.
Harley Quinn and Deadshot?
While this could be Deadpool here, Deadshot makes more since as that character is owned by Warner Bros. outright and easily used in this here movie. He’s flanked by Harley Quinn, but we’ll see her with another DC Comics character in a bit…
King Kong
The mighty King Kong towers over the OASIS.
Harley Quinn and Joker
Yes indeed, that’s Joker dancing alongside his main squeeze Harley Quinn.
Tracer, Lara Croft, and Chun-Li
In this hero shot we see Tracer from the video game Overwatch, Street Fighter’s Chun-Li right there next to her, and Lara Croft over to the left somewhat in the background.
Sagat
Yet another Street Fighter character, Sagat, makes an appearance here sans shirt, with eyepatch. Can you identify any other notable faces in this shot?
Say Anything...
Wade channels the power of Say Anything’s Lloyd Dobbler to rally the troops.
Battletoads
This video game rival to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles makes a cameo in this large crowd shot.
Chucky
Everyone’s favorite killer doll from Child’s Play murders some folks.
Gundam
Hey look, Gundam!
What else did we miss? Sound off with the Ready Player One Easter Eggs you spot in the comments below.