Oscar Scott Card's novel Ender's Game is considered one of the greatest works of the science fiction genre, winning both the Nebula and Hugo Awards in 1985 and 1986 respectively. The book has been translated into 28 languages and is recommended on the U. S. Marine Corps Professional reading list. A film adaptation is currently in the works and filming in New Orleans. The release date is targeted for March 15, 2013, which gives you ample time to read the book, if you desire to do so.
Entertainment Weekly reports Asa Butterfield,the star of
Hugo, will portray Ender Wiggin, the central character in Orson Scott Card's novel, which is set in the near future. Ender, a brilliant boy and the target of much bullying, is the youngest of three siblings, but the only one of them recruited to attend the International Fleet's Battle School, which orbits the Earth and trains children in space warfare. Commander Hyrum Graff, a teacher at the School, sees Ender as a potential leader and pushes him through training, but unbeknownst to Ender, the military has a very specific agenda they're hoping he will complete.
Seventeen year old Canadian actor Brendan Meyer is cast as Stilson, Ender's classmate during ground school who taunts and assaults him. Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) will play Ender's older sister Valentine, the only person Ender truly loves and trusts. Sir Ben Kingsley will play legendary war hero Mazer Rackham and Harrison Ford is cast as Colonel Hyram Gruff. The film's director is Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine).
In a suprise move, Academy Award Best Lead Actress nominee Viola Davis will play Major Anderson who was a male character in Card's novel. The Major is a psychologist who oversees the emotional welfare of the young trainees at the Battle School. My friend Brett Anderson told me about Ender's Game when I was looking for something to replace the gap left by Harry Potter and friends. I wonder what he'll think of a softer Davis vs. the harsher character from the novel .
Hopefully, after the long wait until next year, the film will live up to expectations with a stellar cast and the author's direct involvement in the film.
Great post!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about this movie... but so worried at the same time. This is a book I hold very dear to me... It's my Harry Potter, Mrs. Green. I'm very curious how well they'll be able to transfer it to film.
I think Davis will make a great Major Anderson. It's great they were able to land such an incredible actress. Not worried about that casting at all. Overall, I've actually been very happy with the casting - especially for Ender and Valentine.
It will be exciting to see how this turns out. Unlike a lot of these other type book to movie films, there isn't a huge opportunity for [successful] sequels. There's another book called "Ender's Shadow" that parallel's Ender's Game and tells the story from another character's perspective... Other than that though, the other (10?) books in the series won't really make 'good cinema' (or be able to attract a large enough audience).
Thanks for the post!