Wow first a return to the world of Indiana Jones and now this! Just over a day or so after confirming his return to the screen as the globe trotting archaeologist, now comes the news that Harrison Ford may be joining the film adaptation of one of the most beloved science fiction novels of all time: Ender's Game. Here's a brief plot synopsis of the book:
In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut—young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training. Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister. Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.
Pretty awesome huh? Believe me even that synopsis does not do the book justice.
If cast, Ford would be playing the role of Colonel Hyrum Graff, Ender's Commander for Training at the International Fleet. Previously, veteran actor Viggo Mortensen had been tapped to play the role but it didn't work out. I could completely see Ford in this role as his natural gruffness would be perfect for Graff.
Ender's Game has already cast it's lead, as the role of Andrew "Ender" Wiggin will be played by Asa Butterfield, who stars in Martin Scorcese's current film Hugo. (Amazingly, this film has been in development hell for so long that at one time Haley Joel Osmet from The Sixth Sense was once considered for the role.)
Screenwriters Orci and Alex Kurtzman as well as author Orson Scott Card are adapting the story. I always believe it bodes well when the author of the source material is part of the development process.
What I'm not sold on is that Gavin Hood is the director. He's directed only two features one being X-Men Origins: Wolverine which was so bad it made Ben Affleck's Daredevil look like Ben-Hur by comparison. I honestly wish that the studio would have gone with a tenured director who could give this book its due respect. An obvious choice would have been Steven Spielberg but I think Gus Van Sant or Sam Mendes could have done just as well.
To be perfectly blunt Ender's Game is not only my favorite science fiction novel of all time, I also think it is the best science fiction novel of all time. As such I really hope the producers don't mess this one up. For every Lord of the Rings and Blade Runner there's an Eragon or a Sahara. Casting Ford as Graff would be a step in the right direction and lend some credibility to the film.
There are three things you need to know about the significance of Ender's Game:
1. Read the book
2. Read the book
3. READ...THE...BOOK!
Ender's Game is all in March 15, 2013.
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