
Armada Adaptation: Everything We Know So Far About The Exciting New Movie
Fans love his work, critics hate it, but fun sci-fi is always a hit on screen so it’s no surprise an Armada adaptation was in the works before the book had even been completed. Author Ernest Cline has a very distinct style and fans will love seeing this story brought to life.
Don’t forget to check out the masterlist of all the EWKSF adaptation posts here on Alison in Libraryland!
This page was updated: 8/22/23
About The Book:
Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and videogames he’s spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure.
But hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escapism, right? After all, Zack tells himself, he knows the difference between fantasy and reality. He knows that here in the real world, aimless teenage gamers with anger issues don’t get chosen to save the universe.
And then he sees the flying saucer.
Even stranger, the alien ship he’s staring at is straight out of the videogame he plays every night, a hugely popular online flight simulator called Armada—in which gamers just happen to be protecting the earth from alien invaders.
No, Zack hasn’t lost his mind. As impossible as it seems, what he’s seeing is all too real. And his skills—as well as those of millions of gamers across the world—are going to be needed to save the earth from what’s about to befall it.
It’s Zack’s chance, at last, to play the hero. But even through the terror and exhilaration, he can’t help thinking back to all those science-fiction stories he grew up with, and wondering: Doesn’t something about this scenario seem a little…familiar?
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Current Production Status:
This project is still in the early stages of development, with no updates since 2018.
Armada Adaptation Timeline:
Coming off the success of the release of his book Ready Player One, author Ernest Cline sold the film rights to his next book in December 2012 based off of a 20-page proposal to Universal Pictures. Cline planned on writing a script while writing the book.
The sci-fi novel was then written and published in July 2015 to mixed reviews, but still spent multiple weeks on the best-seller lists.
In April 2018 it was announced that Dan Mazeau (Fast X) had been hired to write a new draft of the screenplay.
There have been no further updates since 2018.
Who Owns The Rights:
Universal Pictures acquired the rights in a reported 7-figure deal with plans for a feature film.
Who Is Attached:
As of Summer 2023 there have been no casting announcements or names attached to the film.
Who would you like to see cast? Leave your dream casting in the comments!
Filming Locations:
With the project still in the very early stages of development there are currently no known filming locations yet.
Estimated Release:
There is currently no estimated release timeframe made public as of Summer 2023 for when this movie will come to our screens.
Previous mentions on AiLL:
This book has not been featured on Alison in Libraryland before.
Other Adaptations From This Author:
‘Ready Player One’ was turned into a feature film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Lena Waithe, and Simon Pegg.
The sequel ‘Ready Player Two’ has been optioned for a film but it still in the early stages of development.
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Happy Reading!!
~Alison
Armada Adaptation: Everything We Know So Far About The Exciting New Movie
Hi there! I’m Alison in Libraryland, and I’ll be here for all your book related needs. Many of you know me as the girl with the book recommendations. Don’t be shy! Ask me! If you’re looking for a good book or movie adaptation, let me help you find it. I’ll be here for all your literary needs. This is a book blog run on an obsession for shiny new books, worn-through old classics, and all attempts at moving those stories to the screen, just like this upcoming Armada adaptation, based on the book by best-selling author Ernest Cline.

