Discover 7 Hidden Back To The Future Gems in Ready Player One You Never Noticed!

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Ready Player One primarily revolves around hidden references, with Back to the Future being just one of these Easter eggs that the movie frequently incorporates. The main driving force in the storyline of Ready Player One is an Easter egg itself – a golden one, and while the characters are pursuing this Easter egg, viewers find themselves on a hunt for symbolic Easter eggs hidden throughout the film. In fact, the abundance of these Easter eggs is a significant aspect of the movie, and one of its most appealing factors, as it’s thrilling to spot all the intricate details cleverly placed in every corner of the film, which contributes to its massive box office success.

In a dystopian 2045, orphaned teenager Wade Watts embarks on a quest within the virtual reality world known as OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation). The lucky gamer who locates the hidden golden Easter egg stands to rule this digital realm entirely. Interestingly, the movie abounds with symbolic Easter eggs, seven of which are clear tributes to the Back to the Future series. As we await the release of Ready Player Two (still not officially confirmed), let’s reflect on the first film’s significant references.

7. The Opening Track Is Jump By Van Halen

Marty McFly’s Favorite Guitarist

In the opening scene, viewers find themselves in a dystopian future, 2045, where Wade resides in a makeshift settlement known as The Stacks, which are built on the outskirts of urban areas due to the escalating energy crisis.

While Wade navigates his descent from his high-rise dwelling in The Stacks, leaping from one platform to another, the tune that echoes in the background is “Jump” by Van Halen. Interestingly, in the movie Back to the Future, Marty McFly was a big fan of Van Halen’s guitar work, as demonstrated when he inserted a Van Halen cassette tape into his father’s player.

6. The Avatar Of Doc Brown Shows Up In The Oasis Opening Scene

A Nod To One Of Doc Brown’s Best Looks

In the digital world where Wade’s character, Parzival, exists, known as The Oasis, there are numerous virtual characters, including many Easter eggs and nods to various video games and popular culture. At one point in the movie, an avatar reminiscent of Doc Brown from Back to the Future Part II can be spotted in the background, standing behind Parzival, wearing an identical outfit.

In the fictional world of ‘Back to the Future’, the character’s attire consisted of a long yellow coat, a vibrant red undershirt, beige trousers, and futuristic silver glasses that resembled sunglasses but actually had an integrated video screen within them.

5. The Back To The Future DeLorean Is Parzival’s Choice Of Vehicle In The Oasis

One Of Film’s Most Iconic Vehicles

Following the revelation that the late James Halliday had created challenges for gamers to overcome, Parzival opts to tackle what is known as an unbeatable race, which is one of Halliday’s initial tests. As Parzival prepares for the race, a variety of virtual vehicles are seen preparing for the seemingly impossible challenge, such as a Bigfoot monster truck, Kaneda’s bike from Akira, the Batmobile, and the Ford Interceptor from Mad Max 2.

Instead of opting for a conventional mode of transport, Parzival selects the legendary DeLorean time machine – one of the most renowned film vehicles ever made. This automobile boasts distinctive external cables that add to its iconic appeal.

4. Art3mis Refers To Parzival As McFly After The Race In The Oasis

An On-The-Nose Reference

Following the race, Parzival and Art3mis head to Aech’s workshop, a place filled with nods and hidden gems. One of these nods, quite noticeable due to its direct mention, happens when Art3mis calls Parzival “McFly.

In this scene, there’s a clear nod to Marty McFly from the movie “Back to the Future,” as both characters drive DeLoreans. This sequence has a romantic undertone since Parzival and Art3mis are seen flirting with each other. Given that Marty McFly was quite popular, this romantic moment serves to fan the flames of their mutual attraction.

3. The Zemeckis Cube Helps Parzival Turn Back Time

Robert Zemeckis Directed The Back To The Future Trilogy

Wade (also known as Parzival) and Art3mis decide to check out the Distracted Globe nightclub in search of hints for overcoming Halliday’s challenges. It turns out that this is where Wade reveals his deep feelings and real identity to Art3mis, which leaves her astonished and puts them both in danger as their enemies become aware of their secret. As a result, they face an assault from adversaries, forcing Parzival to quickly use the newly-acquired item he had just purchased.

The object at hand is referred to as the “Zemeckis Time-Rewinder,” inspired by the renowned director Robert Zemeckis who masterfully crafted the entire Back to the Future trilogy. This peculiar device, when set in motion and tossed upwards, has a unique ability to rewind time by 60 seconds, providing an opportunity for its user to evade danger.

2. Alan Silvestri Includes His Back To The Future Score At Moments

The Iconic Composer Of The Back To The Future Theme

Typically, a director often works with a specific composer across their film ventures, and for Steven Spielberg, that partner has been John Williams. However, in the case of “Ready Player One”, it was Alan Silvestri who lent his musical talents to the production.

In that instant, Parzival solves the Rubik’s Cube and sets off its time-travel ability, and as if scripted perfectly, the iconic score from Back to the Future plays just right. For a brief span, it’s a goosebump-inducing, memorable instance that any fan of Back to the Future would cherish, acknowledging the genius of Robert Zemeckis, director of the Back to the Future trilogy. In this moment, two parts of the original Back to the Future soundtrack are employed: the distinctive three-note bass riff and the enchanting melody heard at the start of Back to the Future.

As a fan, I can’t help but feel a sense of justice when the iconic music from Back to the Future plays as Sorrento and F’Nale are in the back of the police car, having been arrested. In a fitting parallel to when George McFly finally stood up to Biff, Sorrento receives a well-deserved punch from F’Nale that leaves him reeling, much like Biff did after George’s intervention. The music cue that accompanies this moment is reminiscent of the triumphant tone from Back to the Future, underscoring the similarity between these two scenes where the antagonist finally gets their comeuppance.

1. Poster Reads ‘Re-Elect Mayor Goldie Wilson’ (Hill Valley’s Mayor From BTTF)

A Small Nod That Shows The Level Of Detail

In addition, there’s a hidden reference, or “Easter egg,” from the movie “Back to the Future” in the novel “Ready Player One,” and it’s quite subtle, making it easy to overlook. When the character Parzival is back in Aech’s workshop, there comes a scene where a poster is displayed on the wall next to him. The poster features Mayor Goldie Wilson, urging anyone who sees it to vote for his re-election as the Mayor of Hill Valley. Such tiny details demonstrate the meticulous attention to detail that Steven Spielberg and his team paid when creating “Ready Player One,” skillfully incorporating elements from the source material novel for moments like this.

Other Movies, Games & Shows To Get Multiple Easter Eggs In Ready Player One

In the intricate virtual world depicted in Ready Player One, Easter eggs and references to well-known intellectual properties like Back to the Future are abundant. However, it’s not just the Back to the Future franchise that pays homage to itself; the Alien franchise also makes several nods, with elements from Aliens, such as the U.S.S. Sulaco drop ship and Ripley’s gun, appearing in the film. Even a chestburster scene can be found in Ready Player One.

In the movie adaptation of “Ready Player One,” produced by Warner Bros., there’s a abundance of nods to intellectual properties owned by the studio, notably DC Comics. Characters like Michael Keaton’s Batman, references to Christopher Reeve’s Superman franchise, Teen Titans, Harley Quinn, and others make appearances throughout the film. Additionally, “Ready Player One” incorporates elements from “Alien,” “The Shining,” with characters encountering scenes from these classic films within the plot. Essentially, “Ready Player One” is richly populated with references and Easter Eggs.

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2025-05-03 18:09