In the wake of successful book-to-film franchises like Harry Potter, Twilight and most recently, Hunger Games, "Ender's Game" tries its luck at the trend.

The future is looking bright for this new teen-friendly production as co-financers OddLot Entertainment and Summit Entertainment sign on two acclaimed Hollywood actors to star.

Variety reports A-List actor Harrison Ford ("Indiana Jones") and child wonder Abigail Breslin ("Little Miss Sunshine") are both locked in for roles in the film adaptation of the sci-fi novel.

Ford, 69, will play Colonel Hyrum Graff who trains the students, while Breslin, 15, is cast as Valentine Wiggin, the sister of the genius protagonist Ender Wiggin.

In this movie, Ford veers away from the typical leading man he's known (and well-suited) for.

"I'm pretty much out of the hero business these days," he tells The Sydney Morning Herald.

"You don't play a hero. You play a person. You play the moment. You create a character that gives expression to the story. You don't show up and say 'I'm a hero,'" the famous star explains.

Breslin is several decades younger then the "Star Wars" heartthrob, but she shares the same desire to play a variety of roles.

"I never want to play the same character three times in a row, and I've been very lucky not to have to do that. I don't really have a set plan. I kind of go script by script, and if I like the character - and the script - I do it," the young actress says in an interview with Globe and Mail.

Other thespians already casted in "Ender's Game" are Asa Butterfield ("Hugo"), Hailee Steinfeld ("True Grit"), Jimmy Pinchak ("Let Me In"), Aramis Knight ("Rendition") and Moises Arias ("Hannah Montana"). Ben Kingsley is also being eyed for a role in the movie.

"Ender's Game" is the first of a series of popular books that's set in the future where mankind lives in constant anticipation of an alien invasion. As preparation, humans have taken to training the most promising children as eventual commanders.

"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" director Gavin Hood will spearhead this potential box-office hit, along with producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.

"Ender's Game" is slated for a March 2012 release.