Troubled YA adaptation Ender’s Game opened in the US to relatively weak $28 million (approx £17 million), which considering its budget of $110 million is a serious cause for concern.
The Hollywood Reporter quotes industry analysts and insiders as saying the sequel is extremely unlikely, as is recouping the production costs for the sci-fi epic, which starred Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley.
“The film did not draw well from young adults, despite the book’s popularity,” wrote expert Eric Handler of MKM Partners in a note to Hollywood investors on Monday. “Roughly 54 per cent of the audience was over the age of 25.”
“Ender’s Game has a credible $28m US opening, but not a plausible start of a new franchise for Summit Entertainment and OddLot,” added Matthew Harrigan of Wunderlich Securities in his own note to investors.
Ender’s Game is in cinemas now. Pick up Orson Scott Card’s original novel for £5.19 from Amazon.co.uk.
