SDCC 2013: ENDER’S GAME Fan Experience + Panel

By: Amanda Trevino

Comic Con is known to be always crazy, but I never anticipated this kind of crazy—the sleep-deprived and take-my-money crazy. But I’m so happy it was (and my first year at the Con too!). One of the many things I saw was the Hall H panel for Ender’s Game, and on top of that, I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to go through their Fan Experience. One of those alone was good enough, but being able to experience both was awesome! I should probably warn you though… I didn’t read the book. I know, I know! I should have, but I’ll read it after I see the film and Harrison Ford.

First, I went through their Fan Experience, and boy, did they show you some cool stuff from the film. Not to mention the folks who so happily obliged to take photos with you and/or of you. The memorabilia was enough to let you know that the majority of props were specifically made for the film. What makes things better was the fact that Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) and Asa Butterfield (Hugo) are in the film. Walking through, videos were displayed; some were of trailers and clips already released on the internet. There was one that just showed landscapes and what we can only presume are houses before or after the invasion of Earth. Another was of Harrison Ford explaining the invasion and change of tactics that many have seen on TV and the internet. Memorabilia like weapons and costumes were displayed as well as the living quarters and some sort of pod like thing.  And I got this little ID thingy that has my pic and everything and a dog tag with the logo of a rat, I guess I’ll find out what these animal logos mean after I see the film.

When the panel began people were mostly there for Divergent, but as soon as the moderator said the name “Harrison Ford,” the crowd went wild. And there were of course jokes about Indiana Jones and Han Solo. The director and writer, Gavin Hood, talked about the themes like leadership skills, how to portray that in the film and how the book transformed into the film. Since the panel was split between two films the fabulous moderator, Chris Hardwick, only asked a few questions and got straight to the audience questions, which is where Han Solo and Indiana Jones questions ensued.

Check out pictures and video from the Ender’s Game Fan Experience and Hall H presentation below.

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**Click here to watch the entire Ender’s Game Hall H panel** 

ABOUT ENDER’S GAME

In the near future, a hostile alien race called the Formics have attacked Earth. If not for the legendary heroics of International Fleet Commander Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley), all would have been lost. In preparation for the next attack, the highly esteemed Colonel Hyrum Graff (Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training only the best young minds to find the future Mazer.

Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a shy but strategically brilliant boy, is recruited to join the elite.  Arriving at Battle School, Ender quickly and easily masters increasingly difficult challenges and simulations, distinguishing himself and winning respect amongst his peers. Ender is soon ordained by Graff as the military’s next great hope, resulting in his promotion to Command School.  Once there, he’s trained by Mazer Rackham himself to lead his fellow soldiers into an epic battle that will determine the future of Earth and save the human race.

Based on the best-selling, award winning novel, ENDER’S GAME is an epic adventure which stars Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, with Abigail Breslin and Harrison Ford.

Ender’s Game lands in theaters and IMAX November 1, 2013.

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