Old Update 2: Peter

11/7/99: A shout out.
Hello all. You know those cheesy 'learn to read' posters that are plastered all over the walls in high school. As some of you may know, it rumored that JakeLloyd, Ender himself, is going to be in one of those posters with Ender's Game in his hand. Now, that would be a sight. This picture is needed to admire or mock (depending which corner you are in). So, to all, I have a request. If you are surfing the Internet one-day, and you come across this picture, let me know. Thanks!!

10/15/99: Bean continues with full throttle.
This next bit on news is 100 verified and for once in my life, I do not have to cite a source on where it came from. I was the one that placed the e-mails. I was the one that sneaked past security and made it to the information room.

Breaking News
Ender's Shadow, the delightful book that it is, is the first book in what is referred to as the "The Shadow Trilogy". I now have information on the next two books:

Shadow of the Hegemon: This book will be about Peter Wiggin around the time that he becomes Hegemon on Earth. But the shadow part of the title refers to Bean again. Somehow, Bean will hook up with Peter in his quest for world domination. As can be expected, Bean and Peter will not like each other for long, these two egos were meant to clash! Obviously, there will be little to no Ender in this book. It is not clear whether or not Achilles will make his return. (This book has not yet been written)

Untitled: The third book will be about Petra. Once again, Bean will somehow be related to the actions in the story. I speculate that Petra and Bean will have a relationship or something; on the assumption they are older.
Overall, I do not think these other two books will be turned into movies like ES is supposed to; yet they should be interesting reading. I hope.

10/9/99: Sean Connery signs on for WHAT game?
Cinescape Online delivered this news:

Sean Connery has signed on to a post-Cold War espionage thriller film project called End Game. The film, which will be produced through Mandalay Pictures, tells the story of an old school CIA agent (Connery) who joins a special undercover mission only to learn that he’s being used as a pawn in a larger scheme where he is ultimately framed. Connery’s character teams up with a younger but honest new-school spook who attempts to aid the man in clearing himself and exposing the real culprits. According to Variety, the film will be produced by Jorge Saralegui from a script by Adi Hassock and Stuart Kelban. Pending the hiring of a helmer and co-stars, plans are to start production in early 2000.

Comment: Well, we are getting closer. At least Sean likes games, now, somebody get that man the right script. He's Mazer and he doesn't know it!

9/25/99: I must be ahead of my time.
Most people know by now that I dislike Ender's Shadow. This novel hurt my teeth when I read it. Yet, for some particular reason, I seem to be in a minority in this opinion. I can't explain it. I have seen posts at Fresco and e-mail sent here that people seem to have a genuine likeness for this book. Some time ago, I decided that I needed a positive review of this book to complement my lashing of it. I couldn't do it so I contracted it out to someone who did. I read her case, it was good, if I was a more rational human being, I would look at ES again. But I'm not that kind of person.

Ender's Shadow review: This book is great.

9/20/99: In my mind, my dreams are real.
Hello, my fellow EG friends and therefore I assume, ES enemies. Well, I will have to learn to be more clear in my writing for I have received some e-mail that I need to clarify: Jena Malone has not been casted as Valentine. All I meant to say was that I heard she was up for the part and so far she is the only one that I have heard about. Also, in previous updates, I have mentioned an Ender's Game bulletin board. Yes, there is one. It is located at Fresco and you must be a registered member to start topics and reply to them. A gold star to the person who can figure out which of the 130 members or so I am. I will give you a hint: I am not plopapple nor would I want to be.

Fresco's chit chat barn

Also, as promised I have DLS's offical Ender's Shawdow movie review. Also, thanks for the pole responses. It seems that Haley Joel would be Ender in a perfect world. Sadly, this is no perfect world.

Ender's Shadow review: bad, bad, bad.

9/10/99: Yes, the mindless drones have it.
Check out the new pole!
Well, Ender's Shadow is a New York Times and an USA Today best seller (34th on USA). As stated previously, I do not know why this is. Groan. Anyway, I have some tidbits to share:

1.) The buzz factory and the internet sawmill both say that Jena Malone is going to be Valentine Wiggin. She is the little lady in the films Bastard out of Carolina, Stepmom, and For the Love of the Game. If she is, eh, that's fine. This film looks like its heading for the toilet anyway. As can be seen, Ender's Shadow still has me in a state of utter depression.
2.) People have a lot of time on there hands. Somebody somewhere felt the need to create a blueprint for the battle school. Like all internet garbage men, I just sweep it up and move on. You might need to view pic to see the detail.


3.) Recently, I have gotten the impression that Ender's Game will never be made.
Have a nice weekend. Keep the e-mail coming and the buzz swarming.

9/9/99: Look at me, I'm hysterical right now
Back from my vacation, I am well rested and ready to get down and dirty providing commercial free Ender's Game: The Movie coverage and to a lesser degree Ender's Shadow news.

Ender's Shadow: I dislike Ender's Shadow immensely. In fact, everything concerning this book has been a disappointment. Where do I begin? Knowing that I would be out of town on August 31st, I opted not to do Amazon and just buy the book wherever I was at that time. To my regret and anger, not a single bookstore in the state of Mississippi had Ender's Shadow. I checked many Bookland bookstores and I found the selection incomplete and the service appalling. On September 1st and subsequent days I searched the French Quarter. Not a single Ender's Shadow was found. Everywhere I looked on Bourbon street: prostitutes, prostitutes, prostitutes….but no Ender's Shadow. Then on my way home (Thinking back, why did I leave exactly?), I stopped at a Barnes and Noble in Lafayette, LA. To my further dismay, a B&N nerd informed me that all of the Ender's Shadow books were on a boat coming to America from the East when hurricanes and tropical storms forced the boat around and therefore, no one in the United States had the book. Unbeknownst to me, that man was a liar and I soaked up his lies like a wet rag.
On the verge of a complete shutdown, I decided to go into a Waldenbooks bookstore in Little Rock, Ark to buy Prisoner's Hope, the third book in David Feintuch's Seafort Saga. And there, when I least expected it, Ender's Shadow hit my like a brick. No BS about tropical storm Dennis, or special collectors Ender's Shadow for 200 bucks. Just Ender's Shadow. I asked the nice bookstore lady when she got the book in. She told me August 31st. She then inquired why my face was red and steam was coming out my ears. And to those who really care, yes, I bought the special collectors Ender's Game book with rebate; even though I already own multiple versions of the book.
Then on the way home from Little Rock, Ark, I read Ender's Shadow. The more I read, the angrier I became. I almost refused to finish the book because I was tired of it destroying my already complete picture of Ender's Game. I have just recently become tired, so my actual review of the book will come in the next few days. I want to clearly express why this book is so thoughtless. Judging on the e-mail I received, I am not the only one who thinks Ender's Shadow is a dagger in the back.
Speaking of e-mail, let me make a comment or two. I welcome all e-mail. The more you send, the more pleased I am with my efforts. But, I must clarify two issues. One, I have no saying in who will be cast in Ender's Game: The Movie. If you think you have what it takes to play Ender, Valentine, or Bean, then I suggest you e-mail Fresco pictures. Second, just because I have an Ender's Game: The Movie page doesn't mean I agree with everything Orson Scott Card does. In fact, as my fellow NTLFT3 web ring member, Kevin Dillon pointed out, sometimes Card's rational and opinions make as much sense as 1997's disastrous omelet-in-a-can. Well, he didn't put it that way. Anyway, that's it for now. If you haven't read Ender's Shadow, I suggest you read it soon. Its easier to insult that way.
Full reviews will come later, time for me to dream not of today.

8/27/99: My observations float away.
Hello children of the mind. I have given you some time to read the script and digest it. I might have given you too much time. I will be going on vacation for a week and a half so I will be out of touch on EG:TM happenings. I hope I don’t miss too much. But I recommend that all of you stay away from Z-Score : the movie news publication. They fooled me once, but not again.

Well, I have looked at the script and am pleased to some degree. As I have said, the script reminded me how good the book really is. Movies are a more flawed way to present a story than a book. The main reason for this is they do not allow an audience to understand the internal thoughts and workings of character as well as literature. This is what I miss the most about EG:TM. Orson wrote Ender Game’s the book in a way where his external self was a shield to protect his internal being from a hostile world. It was this internal dialogue and thought that made the book so good.
There is no dichotomy in the script for obvious reasons. Because of this, the audience does not see the true Ender; they only see the shield. So, in the book, when Ender beats the brain out of Stilson, we understand why. Therefore, while I’m not happy about it, I think I understand why OSC took out that fight in the script. Overall, the script is solid but could be a little deeper and more exciting. We have time. I encourage all of you to read it again. I will try to write an actual review at a later date. By the way, some guy made that fake movie poster. Ciao.