The three-time Academy Award winning director, famous for films including E.T. and Schindlers List, has chosen the city to film scenes for 'Ready Player One' starring Simon Pegg and Mark Rylance.

Meticulous preparations have been underway for months so that the world’s highest grossing film director can hit the ground running.

'Ready Player One' has already shot scenes in London’s, focussing on Campden Hill, between Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park. It's also expected to move across the pond to Louisiana in late September. The film is based on the bestselling 2011 science fiction novel by Ernest Cline.

Birmingham is increasingly finding favour with filmmakers for its centrality and relative low cost compared to London - a city which it often doubles for in TV shows including 'Hustle' and ''Line of Duty'. There is a rich variety of modern and historic buildings and easily accessible green spaces.

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' starring multi Oscar nominee Glenn Close, former Bond girl Gemma Arterton and Burton-upon-Trent star Paddy Considine and the Twentieth Century Fox film 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle'. Filming will begin on September 5th in Lionel and Newhall Street.