About Ender's Game

Ender's Game is a 2013 American military science fiction action film based on Orson Scott Card's 1985 novel of the same name. The film is directed by Gavin Hood and follows a young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, who begins his journey by training to save the world from an impending alien invasion.

Plot

The Earth was ravaged twice by the Buggers, an alien species. In preparation for the next attack, the highly esteemed Colonel Hyrum Graff and the International Military are training the best young minds to find the future Mazer. Ender Wiggin, a shy but strategically brilliant boy, is pulled out of his school to join the elite. Arriving at Battle School, Ender quickly masters increasingly difficult war games, distinguishing himself and winning respect amongst his peers. Ender is soon ordained as the military's next great hope and is believed to be the only one who can save the human race.

Making/Production

The film was in developmental chaos for nearly 28 years, with various studios and directors attached to it before Gavin Hood signed on as director. The film's production began on February 28, 2012, and shot primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Actors

• Asa Butterfield as Ender Wiggin: The protagonist, who is selected to undergo rigorous military training to counter a potential alien invasion.
• Harrison Ford as Colonel Graff: A shrewd and cunning military officer who oversees Ender's training.
• Hailee Steinfeld as Petra Arkanian: A fellow student at Battle School and one of Ender's trustworthy allies.
• Ben Kingsley as Mazer Rackham: A half-Māori International Fleet commander and hero of the Second Formic War.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The design of the Battle School was inspired by the International Space Station.
• Orson Scott Card makes a cameo in the film as a pilot.
• The Formics, the aliens in the film, were painstakingly designed to not look like any particular real-world animals.

Awards

None to note specifically.

Quotes

• "In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him."
• "The way we win matters."
• "The enemy's gate is down."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score composed by Steve Jablonsky.
• The soundtrack was released by Varèse Sarabande on November 19, 2013.
• Features the end-credits song "Peace Sword" by The Flaming Lips.