On the release of the film itself, the more powerful part of our release date is that the idea, since Lionsgate controls both Hunger Games and Ender's Game, is that that's a pretty formidable tandem. And if Ender's Game is to open up on one weekend, and Hunger Games is to open up three weeks later, we can make sure -- really, this is Lionsgate's capability -- that they do everything to maximize the joint marketing opportunities between those two films to make sure that the press and all of the attention on Hunger Games, and people are asking for exclusives and this type of thing, they can be redirected to make sure that we get guaranteed exposure for Ender's Game.This sounds like a very plausible theory to us here at Ender News. The target audience for both Ender's Game and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is roughly the same, yet very different from the Twilight series which Lionsgate also controls. Both are Sci-Fi themed action movies that appeal to both genders alike and marketing will be crucial for the studio to yield those franchises' full potential.
And the most important part, in my opinion, and I'm not speaking for Lionsgate -- is that the nice, strong three-week gap between Ender's Game and Hunger Games makes it very difficult for anybody to want to step into the middle of that. So, even if somebody comes before it by a week --they'll have their big opening, and they'll have their big week, and they'll be in their tail off period as we're having our big opening and our big week. What you want to do with that tandem is do your best to make sure everybody -- nobody's crazy enough to jump in between Ender's Game -- Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield and this massive book property -- and Hunger Games, which clearly has shown its muscle at the box office.
Ender's Game has already completed principal photography, and we'll be looking at it next month before it enters post-production to complete its visual effects. With Ender's Game and Catching Fire back to back, we will have a 6-week continuous run in IMAX theaters next November and December.This news is sure to thrill U.S. fans. However, Summit admitted that they "do not control the international rights of Ender's Game" and cannot say for sure whether or not the film will be shown in IMAX theaters abroad.
"There's a lot of books. We're excited about the franchise. It's a very different kind of a franchise than Hunger Games, and obviously, we just have to wait and see where we stand with the first movie. " - Jon Feltheimer (CEO of Lions Gate)This quote and the use of the word "franchise" makes it absolutely clear that Lionsgate is looking at more than just one Ender's Game movie and should also have the rights to any possible sequels. Naturally, the success of the first movie will be the key factor in whether or not any of these sequels are actually made, but it seems very likely at this point that the studio has big plans and has already made contractual agreements with selected actors.
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| USA: | November 1, 2013 |
| UK: | October 25, 2013 |
| Germany: | October 31, 2013 |
| Matt Cipro: | Soldier |
| Malik Peters: | Launchie / Dragon |
| Yung Swizz'Agg: | Sammy |
| King Hoey: | Cadet / Launchie |
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| Photo © Emily Winter |
