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SALT LAKE CITY -- A popular science fiction novel, 'Ender's Game', will become a major motion picture starring some of Hollywood's hottest young talents.
Orson Scott Card, who lived in Utah during his early years, is one of the most successful science fiction writers in the country. ‘Ender's Game' goes back a generation but in the words of one Utah bookseller, "once the movie comes out, we won't be able to keep it on the shelves."
First published in 1985, 'Ender's Game' became a science fiction bestseller and still is.
"It's one of the books that we can order in constantly and be sold out of constantly. It's really a big seller," said Debra Evans, who works at Weller Book Works
Hollywood hopes the story will be too. Set in the future, the international fleet prepares for the next alien invasion by training young fighters in its school.
Harrison Ford will play Colonel Hyram Graff and Ben Kingsley takes on the role of Mazer Rackham. But it's the young actors attracting much of the attention: Asa Butterfield stars as Ender Wiggin, Abigail Breslin plays his older sister, Valentine Wiggin and Hailee Steinfeld takes on the role of Petra Arkanian.
Author Orson Scott Card won two of science fiction's highest honors for this novel. He is working on the film so he cannot talk with us yet But he is excited and hopeful. So, are those in the book world.
"'Ender's game' is relatable on every level, and even though it was written that long ago, it still holds its own," Evans said.
KSL Facebook friends love the book but are not sure how good the film will be. Brittany Thomas posted, "I've reread this book countless times...I only hope they don't slaughter it."
Bradley Davis said, "This will hopefully be to the caliber of 'The Lord of the Rings.'"
‘Ender's Game' is scheduled for release in March of 2013. So there is time to read the book series before then.
