It may focus on a younger lead, but Ender’s Game is a film that even the most senior of thespians are looking to join.

Variety is reporting that Harrison Ford is being eyed for the role of Colonel Hyrum Graff, the Commander Of Training for the International Fleet. Hugo‘s Asa Butterfield has been confirmed as the star of the upcoming film, which will be directed by Gavin Hood, and penned by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.

Orson Scott Card crafted one of the greatest science fiction saga’s of all time with the Ender books starting with Ender’s Game. Marvel talent and Card have been bringing Ender’s story to comic books and now an all-original story, the prequel to Ender’s Game, is coming to comic book form first. The 7-issue miniseries called Formic Wars Burning Earth is written by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston with art by Giancarlo Caracuzzo.

Marvel is partnering with ComicsPRO retailers to release the first installment of the miniseries a day early on February 14, 2011. These retailers will be celebrating this story by offering some great sales on the other Ender collections. If you’re in Chapel Hill, NC, you may want to head over to Chapel Hill Comics that day where Card and Johnston will be on hand to sign the comic.

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.”

Our friends over at Tor let us know that the digital edition of the new Marvel comic Ender’s Game: Battle School #1 is now available to read for free online at Marvel.com.

This new comic book series — written and adapted by Christopher Yost and illustrated by Pasqual Ferry — coincides with Tor’s upcoming release Ender in Exile, Orson Scott Card‘s official direct sequel to his mega-popular Ender’s Game. (Ender in Exile goes on sale this Tuesday, November 11, 2008.)

So, head on over to Marvel’s page to read the first issue for free:
Ender’s Game: Battle School #1.