Steven Spielberg reveals why The Shining plays part in Ready Player One

Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining plays a big part in the recent adaptation, Ready Player One. But the reason Steven Spielberg added it is spooky awesome…

Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick really go way back….

If you’ve seen Ready Player One, you probably remember the second key quest well. While teaming up with other gamers, Parzival and Art3mis enter Stanley Kubrick’s timeless classic, The Shining. Derivative of the novel (Ernest Cline uses War Games), it was Spielberg’s idea to change the setting and apparently the director did it with endearing intentions.

Here’s what the Jaws director is saying about bringing the Stephen King film to his adaptation in an interview with Entertainmet Weekly:

"“It was nostalgic for me because I first met Stanley Kubrick on the set that I depict in Ready Player One. The main living area with the grand fireplace in the Overlook is where I first encountered Stanley in 1979 when I went to look at the soundstages. They were about to build the sets for Raiders of the Lost Ark in Elstree Studios. When I found out Stanley had completed a set and was planning his shots, I asked if I could meet him.”"

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What I wouldn’t give to have witnessed that meeting way back in ’79….

Having seen the new Spielberg picture, The Shining popping up is certainly one of the adaptation’s biggest highlights. Playing an important part in the film’s narrative, horror fans everywhere had to be cheering like a pack of banshees in theaters back in March — I know I almost got thrown out making so much noise. And now that we know the reason behind The Overlook’s inclusion and how awesome it’s genesis truly is, seeing the film a second time is sure to be even better.

Ready Player One hits Blu-ray, 4K Ultra and DVD July 24 from Warner Bros. Pictures. Pre-order your copy from Best Buy or Amazon today.

Next: Friday the 13th Game: Grendel Map revealed in leaked footage

Love the work of Steven Spielberg and/or Stanley Kubrick? Seen Ready Player One? Let the other movie maniacs know what you think in the comment section below.