Lionsgate responds to Enders Game controversy surrounding Orson Scott Card

Film production company Lionsgate has responded to a controversy surrounding Enders Game author Orson Scott Card, after calls for a boycott of a film based on his novel due to previous anti-gay comments.

An online campaign is urging moviegoers to boycott the upcoming release of “Ender’s Game,” a big-budget Hollywood movie based on the work of a notoriously anti-gay novelist, who last year described same-sex attraction as a “reproductive dysfunction”.

Card already responded to calls to boycott the film following accusations of homophobia, to ask for “tolerance” from proponents of equal marriage.

Now Lionsgate has also responded, saying it has a longstanding commitment to the LGBT community, and that although it does not agree with Card’s personal opinions, they are not linked to the book or the film.

The company also said in the statement that it would host a benefit premier for the film.

The statement read: “As proud longtime supporters of the LGBT community, champions of films ranging from ‘Gods and Monsters’ to ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ and a company that is proud to have recognized same-sex unions and domestic partnerships within its employee benefits policies for many years, we obviously do not agree with the personal views of Orson Scott Card and those of the National Organization for Marriage.

“However, they are completely irrelevant to a discussion of ‘Ender’s Game.’ The simple fact is that neither the underlying book nor the film itself reflect these views in any way, shape or form. On the contrary, the film not only transports viewers to an entertaining and action-filled world, but it does so with positive and inspiring characters who ultimately deliver an ennobling and life-affirming message. Lionsgate will continue its longstanding commitment to the LGBT community by exploring new ways we can support LGBT causes and, as part of this ongoing process, will host a benefit premiere for ‘Ender’s Game.’”

The “Ender’s Game” author has been the subject controversy before, after it was revealed in February that the homophobic novelist was to be hired to write for DC Comics.

The Geek OUT website states: “Even as the film’s marketing campaign scrambles to distance the film from the author’s controversial reputation, Summit is angling Ender’s Game to be the next big sci-fi blockbuster.”

In March, the illustrator for DC Comics Chris Sprouse pulled out of an “Adventures of Superman” issue written by Mr Card and Aaron Johnston amid media criticism of Orson Scott Card’s anti-gay views.

In 2012, Mr Card referred to same-sex attraction as a “reproductive dysfunction” in a Rhinoceros Times opinion piece.

More information on “Skip Ender’s Game” can be found on the campaign’s official site.

• Nov 29 2023

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