Ernie Cline’s ‘Armada’ Gets First Draft Script by Dan Mazeau

With the number one film at the world box office based on his first book Ready Player One, author Ernie Cline is riding high right now. Also, he just celebrated his birthday on Sunday — happiest of natal days, buddy!

Perhaps you’ve heard the chatter about a RP1 sequel being in the works — this isn’t news, really, as Cline’s been talking about a another story in that future for several years. What IS new is the momentum surrounding his second book, Armada. (I got to spend an evening with Ernie back in 2015 at a signing when the book released; it was awesome.)

The big news today is that Dan Mazeau (Wrath of the Titans, World’s Most Wanted) is working on a first draft of a script of the film, which will be produced by Dylan Clark (Planet of the Apes) and Dan Farah (Ready Player One). Mazeau also worked on that Flash standalone film for WB back when it was still Flashpoint.

Published in 2015, Armada is another ode to the great and powerful retro video game love that manages to save the human race. If you didn’t like that part of Ready Player One, you’re really not going to like Armada.

Back in 2012, the film rights for Armada were scooped up by Universal Pictures, before the book was even released, giving Cline two properties at two of the biggest studios looking to be made into movies.

That’s not to say Ernie wasn’t familiar with his work being given the movie makeover previously, as Cline was the mind behind Fanboys, even though the results were less than optimal. Seriously, read this ‘oral history of’ piece by my friend Jourdan Hoffman, and you’ll understand. I still love the film, but I weep for what it could have been, because Cline knows how to speak to fellow ’80s enthusiasts with his work.

We’re pretty excited to see how this project turns out. Ready Player One is currently in theaters worldwide, and Armada is available through any bookseller.