Ben Kingsley is in talks for a part in Gavin Hood's sci-fi film, Ender's Game.

The project is based on a book from Orson Scott Card and is set in a future where the Earth is under attack by an insect-like race. Mankind has created a battle school to train fighting forces. In this environment enters Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a kid who is tormented by bullies and an older brother, but proves to be a master at a three-dimensional, zero-gravity laser tag-like game. That sets him on a path as a possible savior of the human race

Ben Kingsley will play a legendary war hero presumed to be long dead.

Gavin Hood will be directing from his own script, with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci on board to produce.

Production set to start in February with a 2013 release date.