The Ender’s Game adaptation is shaping up to be a solid film for both literature and sci-fi fans alike. However, with anything related to Orson Scott Card’s name comes the scrutiny that follows his political views. Years ago, Card made some controversial statements against marriage equality, causing quite a storm that has led to him losing writing opportunities. With the adaptation of arguably his most popular and successful novel set for a November release, the movement to boycott Ender’s Game has begun.

LGBT group Geek Out has started a petition, “Skip Ender’s Game,” with a pretty clear directive: ignore Ender’s Game. With Card set to receive money from the film’s revenue, the group is aiming directly at his wallet as a show that they don’t endorse his views. Card recently responded to the boycott to Entertainment Weekly recently, in which he said the following:

Ender’s Game is set more than a century in the future and has nothing to do with political issues that did not exist when the book was written in 1984.

With the recent Supreme Court ruling, the gay marriage issue becomes moot.  The Full Faith and Credit clause of the Constitution will, sooner or later, give legal force in every state to any marriage contract recognized by any other state.

Now it will be interesting to see whether the victorious proponents of gay marriage will show tolerance toward those who disagreed with them when the issue was still in dispute.

Orson Scott Card

The problem I have with his statement is how ignorant it comes across. Gay rights didn’t exist in 1984? Really? However, while I support most LGBT movements and hate when people on a platform spread hate and venom against people, I feel that this boycott might be a bit misdirected. Yes, it’s a strong way to battle against Card’s views, but in doing so, the decision also affects the actors, the production crew members, the writers, everybody attached who probably don’t see eye-to-eye with Card.

What do you think? Will you boycott Ender’s Game because of Card’s views? Or do you even care about the controversy at all?

[via Entertainment Weekly]