In the Ready Player One theatrical adaptation, James Halliday is being played by Mark Rylance, making this his third collaboration with director Steven Spielberg.
Folks who’ve already read the original Ready Player One novel by Ernest Cline likely know what’s happening here, but for those who are going into the movie blind, we won’t delve into spoiler territory.
Halliday has already died when Ready Player One begins, but by establishing an Easter egg hunt before passing away to whom the winner will be rewarded ownership of the OASIS and Halliday’s fortune, his influence is still being felt from beyond the grave.
What isn’t spoiler-y to say is that Anorak looks like he would be in good company alongside other bearded, powerful fictional characters like Merlin, Albus Dumbledore and Gandalf.