01 Dec 2011 10:01:04
An individual with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed to TheWrap that the deal, rumored for weeks, has now been signed.
The book and movie are set in a future, in which mankind is engaged in a battle against aliens. Butterfield will play the part of "Ender" Wiggin, a young boy, who is a preternaturally gifted in warfare and is seen as humanity's last hope.
The wide-eyed 14-year-old actor has earned rave reviews for his work in Martin Scorsese's "Hugo."
"Now that I've real eased all my pent up emotion, I'm going to talk a wee bit more civilized. I have just booked Enders Game," Butterfield tweeted.
Gavin Hood ("Tsotsi" and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine") will direct. Hood also wrote the screenplay.
Summit Entertainment is co-financing and will release the film domestically March 15, 2013.