The novel, a personal favorite of millions of people, including myself, takes place in a future that has twice been at war with an alien species called Formics, or more colloquially as Buggers.  In order to ensure that the next war shakes out in humanity's favor, potential military leaders are selected as children and sent to an orbiting academy for training, which is based around elaborate zero-gravity war games and psychological manipulation.  The title character, Ender, is a sensitive kid, and the most brilliant, charismatic student at Battle School.

With Butterfield set to play the role of Ender, the next casting question concerns Colonel Hyrum Graff, the man most directly in charge of training the international military geniuses. 

According to Variety, director Hood and producers are looking at a roster of experienced and recognizable actors, but the only name specifically mentioned from that list is none other than Harrison Ford. Graff is something of a father figure to Ender throughout the book, acting as his greatest advocate behind closed doors but a sterner presence in his company.  Ford, who last starred in Cowboys & Aliens over the summer, could probably nail the necessary balance between gruffness and compassion, but he seems like something of a long shot. 

The article also mentions, though, that Viggo Mortensen was previously in talks to play Graff, but those talks didn't end up going anywhere.  That's a shame, because Mortensen could have knocked it out of the park.  So it won't be Mortensen, but it could be Ford or a handful of other actors.  If it does end up being Ford, then who could possibly play the legendary Mazer Rackham?

Hood, a South African director who came to international attention in 2005 with the excellent Tsotsi and went on to direct Rendition and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, is directing Ender's Game from his own screenplay.  Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are producing, which might help secure Ford, as the duo contributed to the Cowboys & Aliens script and produced that film.  Digital Domain is on board to create the elaborate zero-g games that will put butts in seats to see the film.

Ender's Game is set to hit theaters on March 15, 2013.