Tag Archives: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games On Track To Being A Bestseller of 2012

Leave a reply

The Hunger Games trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins, a wildly popular young adult series which spawned a $680 million-grossing film, has passed a publishing milestone which puts it on track to become one of the bestselling books of 2012.

More than 50 million copies of the book exist in both print and digital formats, a number which has more than doubled since the beginning of the year wh­­en there were 23.5 million copies in print.

The book’s high sales were, according to E! News, no doubt due to the Jennifer Lawrence-starring film released this year.

Scholastic, the series’ publisher, reported that sales break down into 23 million copies of The Hunger Games, 14 million copies of Catching Fire, and 13 million copies of the series ender, Mockingjay. 

The books have been on the New York Times best-seller list for 200 consecutive weeks.

“Readers across the nation are captivated by the rich world and strong characters Suzanne Collins has created,” Ellie Berger, president of Scholastic, said in a statement. “It’s thrilling to see teen and adult readers enthralled by the same story and engaged in conversation about these books.”

The big-screen adaptation of Catching Fire is set to begin soon with Lionsgate announcing new additions to the cast everyday. The film will also see the return of main cast members, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and Elizabeth Banks.

The Hunger Games isn’t the only series flying off of shelves; E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey has surpassed the 20 million mark, possibly due to the buzz surrounding its recent movie deal and it’s “mommy porn” characterization.

Alan Ritchson and Bruno Gunn Cast In The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Leave a reply

Another tribute is cast, according to Lionsgate, in the upcoming adaptation, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The latest actor to join the sequel film is Alan Ritchson who is set to play a District 1 tribute named Gloss.

Like all the tributes in the 75th Annual Hunger Games (and the third Quarter Quell), Gloss is a former victor returning to the arena along side his sister Cashmere, who has not yet been cast. Gloss and his sister are relatively new winners of the games, as Katniss remembers watching them win when she was younger.

Ritchson has already taken to twitter to express his excitment for being involved in such a high profile film. He tweeted,

 “No words can express…To have the opportunity to portray Gloss in @TheHungerGames. To be a part of this great trilogy…just…so grateful. “

Fans may recognized Ritchson from his reoccuring roles in hit television shows such as “Smallville” and “Blue Mountain State,” as well as a handful of TV guest spots and feature film credits, including Spring Break ’83 and Fired Up!

Also announced this week was the casting of Bruno Gunn as Brutus in the project. Brutus was the male tribute from District 2 and is enthusiastic to get back into the arena. He won his Hunger Games shortly after Haymitch.

Ritchson and Gunn join fellow tributes Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, Jena Malone as Johanna Mason, Amanda Plummer as Wiress, Lynn Cohen as Mags, and Meta Golding as Enobaria. Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks will also reprise their roles as Haymitch and Effie respectively.

Filming on Catching Fire is expected to begin next month in Atlanta, with the film set for release November 22, 2013.

Meta Golding Cast As Enobaria In The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Leave a reply

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has almost finished casting all the new members with their recent announcement that Meta Golding will play Enobaria in the next adaptation.

Lionsgate announced Tuesday that the actress had been cast in the role of the brutal and heartless tribute from District 2. Golding is most known for her regular role in ABC’s Day Break along with recurring roles in CSI, Criminal Minds and House.

In the novel, Catching Fire, written by Suzanne Collins, Enobaria gained attention and notoriety  for ripping open another tribute’s throat with her teeth in the 62nd Hunger Games. She later had her teeth cosmetically altered to resemble fangs. Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) meets the vicious tribute when she is pulled into a special 75th Hunger Games, called the Quarter Quell, where she comes across Enobaria, a fellow victor.

Golding joins main cast members Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, Liam Hemsworth as Gale, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Elizabeth Banks as Effie. New cast members also include Jena Malone as Johanna Mason,Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, Amanda Plummer as Wiress, Lynn Cohen as Mags and Tony Shaloub as Beetee. The role of Finnick Odair is still unfilled according to Lionsgate.

Philip Seymour Hoffman On Plutarch Heavensbee and Catching Fire

Leave a reply

Lionsgate announced a few weeks ago that the role of Plutarch Heavensbee has been cast with the role being filled by renowned actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Many were surprised by this casting as Hoffman is most known for his serious roles in films such as “Doubt,” “The Ides of March,” “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead,” “Capote,” and “Cold Mountain.” (Though he was also gold in the comedy film Along Came Polly.) 

Hoffman recently spoke about why he chose the role. A major fact, he explained, was the character he would be portraying.

“I liked the people involved. It’s a great group of actors. It’s a great environment. And the character was something I was attracted to. It was just an interesting role,” Hoffman recently told EW.com.

Plutarch becomes the head gamemaker during the 75th Hunger Games Quarter Quell in Catching Fire and eventually helps the main character Katniss.

“He’s somebody who’s part of the revolution, but you don’t know it. The idea that somebody would be risking themselves in such an extreme way to join something that’s that dangerous because he thinks it’s the future…that’s interesting stuff, you know?” he continued.

Before taking the role, Hoffman revealed he hadn’t even read the novels. However, once offered, he read the entire series and watched the first film to catch up.

 “It’s good. I’ve read the script, which is true to the book — I kinda ruined it for myself. But I’m reading it anyway, because I really want to find out everything I need to know about this guy,” Hoffman said in the interview.

Hoffman is expected to return for Mockingjay part 1 and 2, a two part film based on the third and final novel.  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is due out in theaters Nov. 22, 2013.

The Hunger Games Actors Send Condolences For Colorado Shooting Victims

Leave a reply

 

Friday morning the cinema world was shaken by something none of us ever considered would happen. The deadly shooting at the midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado left 12 dead and many more wounded.

People all across the world were horrified and saddened by the tragedy and celebrities and fans alike rallied together on behalf of those involved. The famous actors of one of the most anticipated films this year, The Hunger Games were among those who took to their social media sites to send their condolences to those victims.

Jack Quaid, who played Marvel in The Hunger Games, Tweeted, “Send some good vibes to Aurora right now.”

“My heart goes out to the victims and families of the Colorado massacre. Cherish the time you have with the people u love,” wrote Tara Macken, the actress who played the District 4 female tribute.

Willow Shields also chimed in on Twitter, writing, “Horrible news in Colorado this morning. My sympathies to all the families.”

Police say there is evidence Holmes was planning the attack for months. He was arrested outside of the theater just minutes after moviegoers called 911.

Casting Update for Catching Fire Film

Leave a reply

Fans are finally getting what they have been waiting for over the last few months. Casting news for the highly anticipated film adaptation sequel, Catching Fire. The film, based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins, is the film and book sequel to The Hunger Games. 

Catching Fire includes some new characters that fans have been dying to know about. Last week it was announced that actress Jena Malone had the role of Johanna Mason, an important role in the second and third books of the trilogy.

Then this week, it was announced that Amanda Plummer, most know for her role as Honey Bunny in cult film Pulp Fiction has secured the role of Wiress, nicknamed “Nuts” by the other tributes due to her lunacy. In reality, Wiress, is actually very smart, catching on to the clock theme of the Arena early on.

Wiress is a part of a duo, though, with the character of Beetee, nicknamed “Bolts,” effectively making the duo “Nuts and Bolts.” The word announced today is that award winning actor Tony Shaloub has gotten the part. Shaloub is most known for his role as the titular character in the USA series,”Monk.” While the role has not been confirmed it seems pretty reasonable.

The biggest news of all is the casting of Finnick Odair. Fans have spent MONTHS speculating who would land the highly coveted role and it seems we finally have a winner. According to Zap2it, british actor Sam Claflin has been officially offered the role of Finnick. Claflin is most known for his role in Snow White and the Huntsman. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is set to hit theaters on November 22, 2013.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Gets Release Date

Leave a reply

The two-part franchise ending film Mockingjay has got its projected release date. The third book of the massively popular trilogy, will be split into two films much like franchises adaptations before it. Both part 1 and part 2 of the film adaptation have gotten their projected release dates.

The first part of Mockingjay will arrive November 21, 2014, with the fourth and final installment part 2 movie slated for November 20, 2015. Atleast four members of the main cast have already signed up for the four movie franchise. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Woody Harrelson have confirmed their four movie involvement.

There is no word yet on where within the story the films will be broken up but some speculate it maybe after Peeta is rescued from the Capitol.

The heavily anticipated movie sequel Catching Fire based on the second book of the series is set to debut in November 22, 2013 with several new roles currently being cast. t was announced earlier this week that Philip Seymour Hoffman will portray Plutarch Heavensbee in that installment, making him the first new (confirmed) actor to sign up for the franchise, with Jena Malone reportedly circling the role of tribute Johanna Mason.

Philip Seymour Hoffman Joins The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Leave a reply

Casting is finally moving forward with much sought after roles in Catching Fire. Lionsgate has officially announced that critically acclaimed actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has been cast as Plutarch Heavensbee. He will play the Head Gamemaker of the 75th Hunger Games.

The film, which has been rebranded as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, begins where the first left off. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have returned home safe after being both being crowned Victors in the 74th Annual Hunger Games Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour’ of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.

The actor and filmmaker just wrapped a Broadway run as Willy Loman in the revival of “Death of a Salesman” for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. He will next be seen in Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and the indie film A Late Quartet alongside Catherine Keener and Christopher Walken. More recent films includeMoneyball, The Ides of March and Jack Goes Boating, which marked Hoffman’s feature directorial debut.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has over 36 million copies in print in the U.S. alone.

All of the main cast from the first movie have already been confirmed to be returning to much anticipated sequel.

Lionsgate will release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on November 22, 2013

The Hunger Games Actors to Sign Autographs At Comic-Con 2012

Leave a reply

It was announced that a few of the actors from The Hunger Games have been added to the lineup at the San Diego Comic-Con 2012. However, I hate to tell you, it won’t be the three stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson or Liam Hemsworth. However, we do love the actors who will be there.

Lionsgate has added Alexander Ludwig (Cato), Amandla Stenberg (Rue), Dayo Okeniyi(Thresh), Isabelle Fuhrman (Clove), Jack Quaid (Marvel) and Willow Shields (Prim) for autograph signing at its official booth at the conference. Any fans attending the renowned event, should stop by #4035 on Saturday, July 14 at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., for signatures from the tributes in honor of the film release on DVD and Blu-ray August 18.

Some of YA’s hottest authors will talk about dystopian literature on Thursday, July 12, at 3 p.m. in Room 25ABC, while The Hunger Games costume illustrator Christian Cordella will discuss bringing Suzanne Collins’ vision to life in the “From Concept to Reality” panel on Saturday, July 14 at 5 p.m. in Room 24ABC.

Jena Malone To Play Johanna Mason In Catching Fire

Leave a reply

Months and months of speculation have surrounded the casting of two key roles in The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire. Thankfully, one mystery is close to be solved. Actress Jena Malone has been offered the role of Johanna Mason in the adaptation and is currently in negations for the part.

Johanna is the female tribute from District 7. Sarcastic and mean-spirited. She is also described as having a “wicked” ability to kill.  She reveals that she has no friends or family in District 7 during the 75th Hunger Games, stating “there is no one left I love.” She won her original Hunger Games by pretending she was a weakling and a coward, so no one regarded her as a threat, but when only a few tributes remained, she revealed herself as a vicious killer. Johanna teams up with Katniss, Peeta, and Finnick in the Quarter Quell, bringing Beetee and Wiress with her. Katniss describes her presence as being akin to having an older sister who hates you.

I had never considered Jena for the role but the more I do, the more I like her in the role. I have seen her play mean, sarcastic, as well as vicious. She has the wide range of acting ability to handle the part.

While nothing is completely final yet, it seems things are finally moving forward. The role of Finnick Odair has yet to be resolved with casting rumor still swirling regarding who will land the part.

Catching Fire is scheduled to hit theaters on November 22, 2013.