Is Ben Mendelsohn's 'Ready Player One' Character a Scientology Easter Egg?

By Grainger Heavensbee | Film | April 3, 2018 |

By Grainger Heavensbee | Film | April 3, 2018 |

Based on a novel stuffed with nostalgia and references, and filled with a swarm of new allusions Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One is spawning all kinds of debate and think pieces about the meanings of it all. But one curious theory centers specifically on the look given to Ben Mendelsohn. Essentially, is Mendelsohn’s character, Nolan Sorrento, meant to be a nod to Scientology leader David Miscavige?

Am I the only one that thought Ben Mendelsohn's #ReadyPlayerOne villain was a sly swipe at Scientology's David Miscavige? With IOI's indentured servitude similar to Sea Org's billion year contract? Am I giving this movie too much credit? pic.twitter.com/7Q9OWf0oVN

— Max Evry (@maxevry) April 1, 2018

You might shrug off this side-by-side comparison, as just two white guys in similar suit and ties. But it’s also possible that Miscavige’s violently bright smile was also reflected in Mendelsohn’s Ready Player One costume, with included big, white false teeth.

Regrettably, there are no official images from the movie that show off this confounding flipper, but you’ll see it mentioned in Chris Evangelista’s review for Slashfilm, where he writes, “(Mendelsohn’s) big, false teeth, however, do him no favors. (Seriously, if anyone knows why his character is wearing false teeth, feel free to let me know.)” Do we know?

In pitching this possible parallel, ComingSoon.net’s Max Evry also noted a similarity in how Miscavige and Ready Player One’s ruthless CEO run things. But hey, Sorrento is a flat-out villain who not only gives lip service to things he doesn’t believe to con the masses, but also uses blackmail, harassment, and murder to get his way. So…