The LA Times spoke to author Orson Scott Card, who’s currently promoting his direct sequel to Ender’s Game, Ender In Exile, and during the conversation, the movie adaptation that was supposedly in the works was brought up. Last we had heard was of Wolfgang Peterson‘s departure from directing duties (see Wolfgang Peterson Leaves Ender’s Game), but nothing since.
In what came as a great surprise, Mr. Card told them that the latest movie project had been scrapped because he “did not feel comfortable with the movie’s direction.” It was also explained that this and other attempted projects never worked because of Card’s refusal to allow his property to fall into Hollywood’s love for “tough-hero action films” and their usage of the green screen. He also clarified that he would still love to see an Ender’s Game movie, but he says the only way to make the movie work is when “…the human relationships are absolutely essential — an honest presentation of the story.”
Time will tell if someone will ever have the vision that Orson Scott Card wants to see translated on to the big screen. For now, though, fans of Ender’s Game can rest easy now knowing there’s an author behind it who cares enough not to let it be consumed by the Hollywood machine.
Props to you, kind sir.
[Source: LA Times via FS]
It’s ‘Ender in Exile’. Not exciting. Jesus who does the proofreading here?
[Eve’s Note: Oops, that’d be me. I typed it in wrong at 3am, very tired. Thanks for alerting us, but really, no need to get snide.]
Comment by facepalm — January 7, 2009 @ 11:18 am
Call me crazy, but I think both Ender’s Game and Orson Scott Card are way overrated.
Comment by Jimmy — January 7, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Honestly, this is why it’s sometimes good to have the creators NOT involved with the project – there are plenty of good writers out there who are just too obsessive, and Card isn’t all that great of a writer.
Comment by Andrew — January 7, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
I have to disagree, I think it takes a lot of hutzpah to stick up and be true to your vision. I love the book Ender’s Game, but in this case I’m happy to see it isn’t going ahead if Orson Scott Card isn’t happy with it.
I’ve always been leery about the possible adaptation just from the standpoint of the age of the characters alone.
Comment by Shannon the Movie Moxie — January 8, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Thank fuck, the last thing we need is another perfectly good story vivisected into mediocrity.
Comment by 1-900-HEY-NICK — January 8, 2009 @ 10:52 am