Cannes 2011 was a hit!

At the Cannes 2013 Film Festival, the CEO of Sierra/ Affinity, Nick Meyer, spoke about his company’s future with ‘Ender’s Game’ and other young adult franchises. He recalls how, “Launching Ender’s Game to foreign buyers at Cannes in 2011” was a turning point for his company. He also describes how foreign rights to ‘Ender’s Game’ sold out quickly and hints that he thinks the film will perform well internationally. Read below:

Q: There are high expectations for fall’s YA adaptation Ender’s Game. How did the movie come about?
A: Gigi [Pritzker] was a partner in the company and we talked about how we could help with the foreign piece and arrange financing. OddLot and [director] Gavin Hood had developed an outstanding script, and we created a sizzle reel. We sold out in almost every foreign territory, while Summit struck a domestic deal.

Q: Do you think you can replicate the wild success of Twilight or The Hunger Games? Earlier this year, Beautiful Creatures failed to gain a foothold.

A: Ender’s Game is a unique property with a legacy. It’s a book that’s been around for 20 years and it’s back on the New York Times best-seller list. Part of it is the fact that it is required reading in middle schools across the country. I don’t think people realize how well Drive, and now The Place Beyond the Pines, did internationally, where you consulted with foreign distributors on the marketing. Drive grossed $41.1 million overseas, compared with $35 million in the U.S. The Place Beyond the Pines has grossed $33.2 million globally, including nearly $15 million internationally.

Read Nick Meyer’s full interview over at The Hollywood Reporter.

The ‘Ender’s Game’ film will be released in U.S. theaters on November 1, 2013.