News has come down that Asa Butterfield (Hugo) has finalized a deal to play the titular character in the upcoming Summit Entertainment adaptation of Ender’s Game. This news comes a week after we reported Butterfield’s potential involvement in the film, additionally Variety is reporting that producers are eyeing Harrison Ford (Star Wars) for a major role after negotiations with Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the RIngs) fell through.
For those unfamiliar with the classic novel from Orson Scott Card, Asa Butterfield, who has recently had a string of successful roles ranging from Hugo and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, to his role on the TV series “Merlin,” will play Ender, a young gamer who is recruited by the government to fight off an evil alien race using his considerable strategic and logistical skills.
Producers have now turned their attention to casting major adult roles. According to Variety:
Now that the producers have found their young lead, their focus turns to the adult lead of Colonel Hyrum Graff, the Commander of Training for the International Fleet, an elite boys’ military academy. Viggo Mortensen had been targeted for the role, but those talks didn’t work out and producers are now discussing another group of veteran [actors], including Harrison Ford.
While this is by no means concrete, Ford seems to be a perfect fit for Graff, who is a rather stern and cruel, but capable, leader. It will be interesting to see how the cast fits together, as Ender’s Game has the potential to be a major hit.
Summit Entertainment has set a March 15, 2013 release date for the film. X-Men Origins: Wolverine director Gavin Hood is set to direct.
Are you happy with Butterfield as Ender? How about Ford playing Graff? If not, who would you rather see play Graff?
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.