Say what you will about Ender’s Game as a whole, because even the most ardent fans know it’s not perfect, but the ending could not be anymore perfect. I obviously don’t want to spoil anything here, but just know that the climax of the Third Invasion is a pivotal moment for Ender, the universe and mankind in general. A lot of the elements that recur throughout Ender’s Game, like the simulated game students play on their desks or Ender’s dreams or the mystery of the Buggers, come to head in the final moments of the story, and they pack a definite punch.
Again speaking of his initial screenplay (which has thankfully been scrapped), Card stated that he wished to make the surprise ending clear to the viewers so that they could root for Ender. Personally, I think it would be foolish for anybody involved to change anything about the finale, especially because of how well it plays into everything the novel attempts to explore about humanity, war and friendship.
The climax is almost more important than the rest of the story, meaning it can make or break the film version depending on how it goes. Card has had years and years to ponder how he wants the film to work on screen (even considering Rosie O’Donnell for the role of Graff), but if he’s half as smart as he appears, he’ll leave the ending just as it was written all those years ago.
So whether you’ve read Ender’s Game obsessively since middle school or couldn’t care less about the novel, these are more than a few reasons to get excited for the film adaptation to finally hit theaters on November 1. What are you most excited for in this version? Do you have confidence in the cast? Can they get this adaptation right after almost thirty years of waiting? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check out Ender’s Game on November 1.
Please note that this article was a collaboration between Isaac Feldberg and Christian Law.