Spielberg on his way to Birmingham for filming of new sci-fi thriller 'Ready Player One'

US director Steven Spielberg Credit: ABACA PRESS / ABACA/PA Images

Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg is on his way to Birmingham for a big budget science fiction thriller starring Oscar winner Mark Rylance.

The film, Ready Player One, is a virtual reality thriller set in 2044. Filming will begin in the Jewellery Quarter on September 5th, but set designers, technicians and special effects crew will descend on the area a fortnight earlier to get everything ready.

There will also be some advance filming during the night of August 19th Credit: BPM

Action scenes will be shot in Livery Street, Water Street, Henrietta Street, Mary Ann Street, Lionel Street and Newhall Street, where buildings will be transformed as the area doubles for the America of the future.

After the filming stint in Birmingham, the production will moves on to Louisiana.

Letters have been sent to local residents and businesses in the Jewellery Quarter, advising of the shooting schedule for a movie “set in the future and based in America.”

Where some of the filming will take place in Birmingham Credit: BPM

Ready Player One is the second Warner Bros film to shoot in Birmingham in successive years. It follows on from The Girl With All the Gifts, which has a stars former Bond girl Gemma Arterton and Paddy Considine.

A Film Birmingham spokesman said no details about the Ready Player One shoot could be discussed – but one of the Midland filmmakers involved told said: “Spielberg is definitely coming to Birmingham and I’m thrilled because he’s my hero. The sets we have already been working on are incredible.”