12 Years Ago Today, This Harrison Ford Sci-Fi Movie Was Supposed to Start a Franchise (But Was a Huge Bomb)

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Harrison Ford has a knack for building successful film franchises. He famously brought his charm to the role of Han Solo in Star Wars, returning for several sequels and spin-offs despite not initially connecting with the character. Indiana Jones, however, is a role he deeply cherishes and frequently speaks about with affection, and he’s always willing to reprise it, even later in his career. While Ford excels in both roles, they often overshadow the rest of his impressive work, which isn’t quite right.

Harrison Ford consistently delivered strong performances in numerous films, often appearing in standalone projects that didn’t require long-term commitments. While most were one-time roles, some, like Blade Runner, unexpectedly spawned sequels. Blade Runner 2049 arrived 35 years later and, despite modest box office success, was a critically acclaimed film. However, another of Ford’s futuristic movies wasn’t as well-received, failing to connect with audiences or earn significant revenue.

Harrison Ford Was Brought in to Provide Stability to a Complicated Story

Around the late 2000s and early 2010s, Hollywood was actively looking for stories with the potential to become big, successful franchises, especially ones that would appeal to younger viewers. Films like Twilight, The Hunger Games, and The Maze Runner were popular, but they didn’t focus much on science fiction. Seeing a gap in the market, Summit Entertainment decided to adapt Orson Scott Card’s novel Ender’s Game into a movie. However, the role of Colonel Hyrum Graff, the character who mentors Ender, was crucial, as he was a complex figure and much more than just a supportive guide.

The film Ender’s Game explores how humanity responds to a future alien threat. After successfully defending against an initial invasion, the International Fleet begins training exceptionally talented children to become military commanders, preparing them for future conflicts. Graff, a key figure in the training program, recognizes Ender’s remarkable potential and pushes him relentlessly. Unbeknownst to Ender, this rigorous training culminates in a real battle where he inadvertently destroys the alien homeworld. Deeply affected by this deception, Ender sets out on a journey to find a new home for the species he destroyed, hoping to give them a second chance. Sadly, the film’s story is cut short before he can complete his mission.

Staying the Course Would’ve Helped Ender’s Game in the Long Run

Despite getting some positive feedback, the movie Ender’s Game didn’t do well in theaters, earning only $125 million worldwide on a production budget of $115 million. While that sounds like a profit, it doesn’t include the significant costs of marketing the film. Ultimately, Ender’s Game lost the studio around $70 million, making it a box-office failure. As a result, plans for a sequel were cancelled, even though a script existed for an adaptation of Ender’s Shadow. Studio executives felt the risk of making another film was too great. This decision may have been a mistake, though.

Rather than a direct continuation, Ender’s Shadow focuses on Bean, a character briefly seen in Ender’s Game, and his similar experiences. A sequel could have worked well with a slightly smaller budget, particularly as actors like Asa Butterfield and Hailee Steinfeld were becoming more well-known. While Hollywood often rushes things, Ender’s Game had the potential to become a successful franchise if the studio had made the right choices.

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2025-11-01 17:47