Over the Thanksgiving weekend both audiences and critics were dazzled by the performances of both Ben Kingsley and Asa Butterfield in Hugo. Lucky for us, it would seem that Martin Scorsese's cinematic piece of fantasy may not be the only time that they appear on screen together, however.
THR has learned that Kingsley is now in talks for a role in Ender's Game, a movie based on Orson Scott Card's legendary sci-fi novel that Butterfield is already attached to. The story is set in a future where aliens have arrived to earth and started a war. To combat the alien forces, the government begins to create battle schools so that young super geniuses can grow up to be generals that lead the fight against the extraterrestrials. Should he sign on, Kingsley will play Mazer Rackham, the first super general who led the humans to win the first round of the war. The battle schools were created to produce more people like him. As reported last week, True Grit's Hailee Steinfeld is in talks to play the female lead, Petra. Gavin Hood both wrote the script and is attached to direct, while Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman are attached as producers. Production is currently scheduled to start in February 2012.
It's cool that Asa Butterfield, is such a young actor, but will already have a second chance to work with Ben Kingsley. But now I'll let you big fans of Ender's Game speak out about your opinion. Do you think Kingsley is a solid choice to play Mazer? Who would you like to see cast in the remaining roles? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
