I’ve been slightly torn whether I should post the trailer for Ender’s Game. There have already been calls for a boycott of the movie, due to the fact it’s based on a book by noted homophobe Orson Scott Card.
The author has previously said he believes gay sex should be banned (although he’s more recently suggested he no longer wants to see it criminalised), that same sex marriage is wrong, and has linked child abuse and homosexuality. He also sits on board of directors of the National Organization for Marriage, one of the leading anti-equal marriage lobbies, and one that’s been particularly unpleasant in its rhetoric.
Others have suggested we should see the film as a separate entity, and not bring Card’s politics into it. After all, many involved have pledged their support for gay marriage, such as actor Harrison Ford.
While I’m still not sure whether we should be supporting the film or not, I’ve decided I would post the teaser, and you can make up your own mind.
Harrison Ford plays Colonel Hyram Graff, who oversees a military facility where gifted youngsters are trained to prevent an imminent alien attack. Abigail Breslin is playing Valentine Wiggin, the older sister to the titular trainee Ender (Hugo star Asa Butterfield), while Hailee Steinfeld is set to be Ender’s ally, Petra Arkanian. Aramis Knight, Moises Arias, Jimmy Pinchak, Suraj Partha, Conor Carroll, and Khylin Rhambo also star.
The film will hit cinemas on October 25th.
Do you think we should boycott the film? Let us know in the comments below?
Solomon James says
Because Orson Scott Card is a straight supremacist, and because Ender’s Game is an amazing science fiction book, some sort of carbon tax was needed for those who won’t boycott the movie completely.
Nerds and geeks needed a form of atonement.
https://www.facebook.com/EndersGameMoviegoersDonatingToTrevorProject
Chuck Anziulewicz says
I’ve read many of Orson Scott Card’s books. I read the first four of his “Ender” novels. I slogged through all five volumes of his “Homecoming Saga,” though admittedly being a bit puzzled by the Mormon imagery toward the end. I was a fan of his work … UNTIL it began coming to my attention that he harbored some pretty severe anti-Gay attitudes.
And trust me, I did my homework. I read many of his pieces assailing the modern Gay rights movement. This wasn’t just a philosophical opposition to marriage equality for law-abiding Gay couples. This was a visceral animosity toward Gay people. Orson Scott Card is indeed the quintessential homophobe.
Does Mr. Card has a right to express his views, however ugly they are? Of course he does. Likewise, the very persons he attacks have the right to draw attention to his views, so that people can make an informed choice about whether to throw their hard-earned money at him. I would rather not throw MY money at a guy who thinks I’m not worthy of the benefits and protections that Straight people have always taken for granted. Too bad I can’t get back all the time and money I invested in the guy BEFORE finding out how much disdain he has for Gay Americans.
M Raymond Villamor says
I would note that as one of the producers of the movie, Mr. Card will make a significant profit from the money it generates, which he will inturn use to help fund the NOM and support the election of politicians that will help his cause. He is very clear that it is the responsability of all
This is not a matter of seperating a mans opinion from his work, this is a matter of, “Will you spend money on this movie, knowing that a portion of it will go to support organizations and people that will continue to deny rights to gays?”
“Regardless of law, marriage has only one definition, and any government that attempts to change it is my mortal enemy. I will act to destroy that government and bring it down, so it can be replaced with a government that will respect and support marriage, and help me raise my children in a society where they will expect to marry in their turn.” -Orson Scott Card