The first trailer for director Gavin Hood’s highly anticipated adaptation of Ender’s Game arrives next week, but Summit Entertainment has unveiled a first look at one of the film’s characters in order to tide fans over for the time being.  The film tells the story of Andrew “Ender” Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a young boy sent away to Battle School to hone his military skills and, hopefully, save the world from an impending alien invasion.  This image gives us a look at a tattooed Sir Ben Kingsley as Mazer Rackham, a legendary commander whose previous victory over the aliens is used as propaganda to motivate the people of Earth.

Hit the jump to get a better look at the image, and check back next week to see the trailer.  If you missed our recent interview with Butterfield about the film, click here, and to see what Kingsley had to say about playing Rackham, click here.  The pic also stars Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Viola Davis, Abigail Breslin, Nonso Anozie, Moises Arias, and Aramis KnightEnder’s Game opens on November 1st.

Via EW.

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Here’s the official synopsis for Ender’s Game:

In the near future, a hostile alien race (called the Formics) have attacked Earth. If not for the legendary heroics of International Fleet Commander, Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley), all would have been lost. In preparation for the next attack, the highly esteemed Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training only the best young children to find the future Mazer. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a shy, but strategically brilliant boy is pulled out of his school to join the elite.

Arriving at Battle School, Ender quickly and easily masters increasingly difficult wargames, distinguishing himself and winning respect amongst his peers. Ender is soon ordained by Graff as the military’s next great hope, resulting in his promotion to Command School. Once there, he’s trained by Mazer Rackham, himself, to lead his fellow soldiers into an epic battle that will determine the future of Earth and save the human race.