In this episode of Sci-Fi Graveyard, Joseph, Jeremy, and Josh return from a hiatus to review the 2013 film adaptation of Orson Scott Card's classic novel, Ender's Game. Directed by Gavin Hood, the movie stars Asa Butterfield as the brilliant young tactician Ender Wiggin, recruited to lead humanity's fleet against an alien race known as the Formics.

The discussion centers on why this highly anticipated film failed to launch a franchise despite its strong cast (Harrison Ford, Viola Davis, Ben Kingsley). The hosts debate the changes from the book, particularly the condensed timeline and the diminished roles of Ender's siblings, Valentine and Peter. They praise the visual effects, especially the Zero-G Battle Room sequences, and Asa Butterfield's performance. However, they also address the controversy surrounding the author that may have impacted the box office, the crowded release schedule (competing with Thor: The Dark World and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), and the emotional weight of the ending twist—where Ender realizes his "simulation" was a real genocide. Ultimately, the crew agrees the film is a solid, if flawed, adaptation that deserves a second look, voting for it to "Rise from the Grave" potentially as a sequel or series that could better explore the complex themes of the later books.

Key Highlights
[02:17] Book vs. Movie: Joseph outlines key differences, such as the compressed timeline (one year vs. six years), Ender killing Bonzo intentionally vs. accidentally (in his mind), and the gender-swapping of Major Anderson.
[05:55] Elon Musk Consulting: Trivia about the production team consulting with Elon Musk regarding the futuristic space shuttle designs used in the film.
[16:47] Stacked Cast: The crew marvels at the impressive cast list, including Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, and young stars like Hailee Steinfeld and Abigail Breslin, noting how expensive the talent must have been.
[36:04] The Twist Ending: A discussion on the film's powerful conclusion, where Ender discovers he has unwittingly committed xenocide, and how the movie handles the moral weight of his actions compared to the book.
[41:04] Box Office Failure: An analysis of why the film flopped, citing a budget of $110 million vs. a $125 million gross, bad release timing against major blockbusters, and the lack of mainstream awareness compared to Hunger Games.
[51:30] Sequel Potential: The hosts express a strong desire for a sequel based on Speaker for the Dead, believing the story of Ender seeking redemption for the Formics is compelling enough to revisit.