(Hugo) joined the cast of Summit Entertainment’s Ender’s Game adaptation last month we were told Harrison Ford was being sought for the role of Colonel Hyrum Graff. Now Variety reports that Ford’s involvement is confirmed, and he’ll be joined by young Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin (Zombieland).

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Ender’s Game is an adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s 1985 sci-fi novel and is set in Earth’s future, where an imperiled humankind have barely survived two conflicts with the Formics (an insectoid alien species also known as the “Buggers”). These aliens show an ant-like group behavior, and are very protective of their leader, much like Earth ants protecting their queen.

In preparation for an anticipated third invasion, an international fleet maintains a school to find and train future fleet commanders. The world’s most talented children, including the novel’s protagonist, Ender Wiggin, are taken at a very young age to a training center known as the Battle School. There, teachers train them in the arts of war through increasingly difficult games including ones undertaken in zero gravity in the Battle Room where Ender’s tactical genius is revealed.

Ford’s character is in charge of the Battle School and while he is often portrayed rather coldly in the book, Graff shows affection for Ender which can be seen at several points throughout the story. Abigail Breslin will play Valentine Wiggin, Ender’s older sister, while Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) will play Petra Arkanianthe who quickly becomes Ender’s ally and trusted right hand.

Summit Entertainment has set a March 15, 2013 release date for Ender’s Game. Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) is directing, and Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Star Trek) are producing.