Spielberg says Birmingham 'filled the bill' for new blockbuster because 'it looks like America'

Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg has praised the city of Birmingham and its people, saying he and his team had a "really good" time filming his latest blockbuster here.

The film, called Ready Player One, is an adaptation of a book by Ernest Cline, in which a group of young people go on a journey to win ownership of a virtual universe.

The film was partly shot in Digbeth, with the director and technical teams transforming the area into a futuristic America.

Spielberg said he chose Birmingham because 'there's few places in England that can pass for America and Birmingham filled the bill'.The film had its European premiere in London on Monday evening (19th March).