Fight!
Part of the reason I've watched and not participated is because I've never read Ender's Game. For whatever reason, I missed the first wave of enthusiasm for it, and by the time I became aware of it, I was also aware enough of the OSC controversy to not want to touch it.
Drawing the line between creators and creations (or actors and roles) is always tough. You're never going to find anyone who, if you dig deep enough, you won't find serious cause for disagreement. While there's a serious argument for taking a creative work on its own merits, it's also impossible to ignore that, by putting money into creative talent's pockets (be it writer, director, actor, etc.), you are indirectly supporting whatever they do with that money.
The main news that has come out most recently is that Card will get no money from the movie's profits (as if any writer actually sees any money that way, even if they have a deal for it — Hollywood's creative accounting is legendary, as Art Buchwald would have told you). Rights to the movie were purchased (and paid for) long ago, so, in theory, you can plop your $15 down for a ticket in good conscience.
Of course, success of the movie will likely increase sales of the book, for which Card presumably gets residuals. And for its sequels. And it increases the chance that other movie deals might be cut for other properties he has, and other book deals as well. So there's still a money factor.
And there are indirect effects as well. If the boycott movement can point to a success, it might reduce the chance of Hollywood buying properties from obnoxious people like OSC. Of course, it might cause Hollywood to eschew buying properties from anyone they think will be too controversial or might stir up a boycott, which cuts ideologically in all directions.
Boycotts are a legitimate social outlet for expression of disapproval. I may agree or disagree with a given one, but the freedom to (dis)associate and vote with your feet/wallet is a powerful one. Aside from finding Card to be a hateful loon in that particular area, I don't have any specific skin in the game, not being a fan of the book. Even with this news, there's still money on the table, but there are also a lot of other folks who will be impacted by a boycott beyond just Card. I don't think there's an easy answer here, as much as everyone would like one.
(Another opinion on the brouhaha from Peter David: http://www.peterdavid.net/2013/11/01/enders-game-boycotts/)
‘Ender’s Game’ Movie Profits Won’t Go to Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card, the outspokenly homophobic author of the book Ender’s Game, won’t get any of the box office money from the movie that opens tomorrow. So is there still cause for boycott?
I don't share the boycotter's animosity towards Card for standing by his beliefs, just as I don't blame those offended for wanting to avoid him and his works. People forget that "pride" goes both ways when two opposing forces exist side-by-side.
However, I understand why it would cause them to not want to see the movie. I refuse to read DC comics because of the way they mistreat their freelancers and staff, which is not the product, but knowing what goes on behind the minds of those producing the product disturbs me enough to not want to support it. But I would never ask anyone else not to. It's a personal decision I've made based on my opinions of the company and those who run it.
I, for one, will happily purchase a ticket to what looks like a fantastic movie. And if it so inspires (and future movies aren't going to be made), I may pick up his books for a good read. I haven't read them, but I did read a short story that takes place decades before the main plot. It was very interesting.
Assuming it doesn't get panned, my plan is to go, but donate an equal amount to an LGBT organization.
I'm not planning on seeing it, but I've never been an OSC fan to begin with so it's no great loss for me. The fact that he's not making money directly from this film doesn't mean it's success won't generate money for him and I'd rather not contribute to that. It's the same reason I don't shop at Walmart or Sam's Club. That said, I don't have a problem with other people who do.
I want to see it because Ender's Game was an enormous part of my adolescence and reviews indicate that they didn't fuck it up. I've stopped reading OSC's newer stuff because it's kind of gone off the deep end with him, but I'm not fond of the idea of holding a writer responsible for their personal beliefs if they're able to keep them separate from their work. (Like OSC used to; a big part of the Ender sequels is about tolerance and understanding, which is part of why I think the backlash has been so bad.)
I think it's one thing to boycott a company when I know that my entire expenditure is going to something I dislike, but I think it's silly to avoid going to see a movie because you don't like one person in a very large cast and crew, one person who probably got paid early on in the nearly thirty years this movie's been in production.
+Brittany Constable if it weren't for the fact that OSC is not just a homophobe, but is actively working against gay marriage and providing financial support to others who share his views, then I'd agree with the idea that just because he's a bigot it's no reason not to see the movie.
Yeah, but I don't feel like I want to or should be responsible for tracking where people spend each penny they get from me. Maybe my favorite singer has a crack habit, or my favorite actor donates to politicians I abhor. I mean, once you start keeping that score, where do you stop? Do you only consume entertainment from people you agree with 100%?
+Brittany Constable I certainly sympathize with that, but there's a difference between actively investigating everyone, and being aware of it already but not reacting to it. Card doesn't keep his homophobia a secret, though he doesn't actually acknowledge it.
I'm not suggesting that everyone should be tracking how ignoble their favorite author/actor/politician is. I'm not even suggesting everyone should give a shit.
At the same time, there's no reason why those people who do give a shit shouldn't express their reasons why they give a shit and encourage others to do the same. I don't think being successful should make you immune to repercussions for your actions. If OSC doesn't want his bigoted views to damage the success of his creative endeavors then perhaps it's best not so share them so loudly and widely.
I know that I take a risk every time I post something to my blog and I've been doing it for 12 years. I know there are jobs I've not gotten because of the views I've expressed on politics or religion. I accept that as part of the price I pay for spreading my views far and wide. Why should OSC be any different?
got the Ender's War omnibus from SFBC back in 80s. I enjoyed Ender's Game but not Speaker for the Dead. I don't think I have read any books by Card since. I may watch the movie on cable.
I listen to Wagner, even though he was anti-Semitic. I read Dilbert even though Scott Adams seems to have gone off the deep end in several areas (although I may stop because I haven't found it funny in a long time).
Bottom line: I am going to enjoy the things I like regardless of who creates them, and I am not going to try to harm those with whom I disagree.