Lionsgate exploring Hunger Games prequels and sequels

More proof that studios need to beat every living ounce of something great.

Lionsgate announced earlier that Mockingjay - Part 2 will be released in IMAX 3D, but we also got a bit of information from CEO John Feltheimer regarding the future of The Hunger Games franchise. Apparently the studio is exploring options for expansion not limited to sequels and/or prequels to the original trilogy.

The Hunger Games has earned over $2 billion at the box office so far, but it's very unlikely that our main stars would continue doing Hunger Games films even after the second half of Mockingjay is released this November. Depending on how close they stayed to the end of the book, Katniss and Peeta would be long gone by the time any sequels came to be.
This is obviously a get rich scheme and it's disgusting. The focus shifted off Twilight so now they're trying to push forward The Hunger Games. I don't approve.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Review

After their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion across the districts of Panem, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark return to the arena to fight against other surviving victors in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.


I just have to start by saying this was a great movie and a pretty decent book to film adaptation. I personally enjoyed it more than The Hunger Games and I found it was a lot closer to the source material. Obviously, there were things left out but a majority of what is in the film was in the book. That was a big breath of fresh air. Especially after The Hunger Games had so much missing and had a lot of new things incorporated into the plot.
Starting off with direction, I think Francis Lawrence did a much better job than Gary Ross. The movie itself had a much better flow and it was a lot smoother than The Hunger Games was. I also think the actors had a lot more purpose than they did before.
As far as acting goes, I thought some people did a better job while some people floundered a bit. I thought Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, and Woody Harrelson were fantastic and much better this time around. I'm not saying they were bad in the first movie, but they were more enjoyable and just better this time around. Jennifer Lawrence was the confusing one for me. She was great in The Hunger Games and had her moments in Catching Fire as well, but I feel like she wasn't really trying during the first half of the movie. I don't know if it was intentional to show how damaged Katniss had become or if she is just one of those actresses that has elements she is good and bad at. It was a bit off. I also want to take the moment to say that I cannot stand Liam Hemsworth. They could have cast a much better actor as Gale. I feel like he was cast based on physical appearance and the fact that his brother is Thor.
Regarding the new characters, I thought a majority of the casting was marvelous. Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, and Lynn Cohen were such great choices, specifically Malone and Wright. I thought Beetee and Johanna were portrayed beautifully. Sam Claflin surprised me a bit, too. I won't say that his portrayal is exactly how I envisioned Finnick Odair when I read the books, but it wasn't necessarily bad. Another newcomer is Philip Seymour Hoffman who I thought did a great job as Plutarch Heavensbee, the new gamemaker. He was very believable as the character.

Now I want to talk about aspects of the movie that have spoilers, so if you haven't seen Catching Fire yet and/or didn't read the books I encourage you to come back once you have. You don't want it ruined for you.

First photo of Finnick Odair in Catching Fire

I know I'm not the only one who has waited for this.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theaters on November 22nd.




#CelebrateYourVictors #CatchingFire #Finnick

Catching Fire set for Comic-Con International 2013

[UPDATE] Catching Fire will be in Hall H on Saturday directly after the Warner Bros. and Legendary Presentations at 1:35pm. Here is the schedule for Saturday.

 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been set to appear at Comic-Con International in San Diego. There will be a panel along with a new trailer that will premiere on July 20th. You are able to visit the official Facebook page and submit questions (using the hashtag #CatchingFireComicCon)to be asked to the unannounced cast members that will attend. The panel will be moderated by Fandango correspondent Dave Karger. Catching Fire has been voted on Fandango as the most anticipated movie of 2013. It opens on November 22, 2013.

The powers that be are predicting Lionsgate will be setting up shop in Hall H and that Marvel will be holding panels the same day, so get your tents and sleeping bags ready to go. San Diego Comic-Con International is celebrating their 44th year and will be running from the evening of July 17th to July 21st.

Catching Fire poster shows Katniss on top of the world

Well... actually she is just on top of a mountain.

There is something odd about this poster to me. I don't know if it just doesn't look real or whether it's the fact that they gave Katniss angel wings. In reality I think it just looks a little too retro for the logo and for the film itself. It takes away from the feeling the first poster gave us.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire teaser trailer premieres!

This movie is going to be awesome. It looks great.

New images for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

I squealed a bit.

Catching Fire teaser to premiere at MTV Movie Awards

I guess we should watch the MTV Movie Awards on the 14th so we can see a teaser for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.


I am unsure if this is a teaser of the teaser or the actual teaser, though. The ad is a bit misleading. http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/895458/2013-movie-awards-the-hunger-games-catching-fire-teaser.jhtml#id=1703220

Two new posters for Catching Fire featuring the Victory Tour

I squealed a little bit.

First look at The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Entertainment Weekly's upcoming issue has the first look of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. It includes an interview with Jennifer Lawrence and, judging by the cover, some photos from the film. Check out the cover!

UPDATED: There are now more photos that have been released. =^D

UPDATE: Jeffrey Wright cast in Catching Fire

Jeffrey Wright (Casino Royale, Source Code) is the newest addition to the cast of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Wright has been cast as Beetee, a former victor from District 3 and is somewhat of an electronics expert. Click the jump for spoiler info on Beetee.

UPDATE: Meta Golding cast in Catching Fire

Lionsgate released a statement revealing that Meta Golding (CSI, Criminal Minds) has been cast in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire as Enobaria, a Capitol mentor and former winner from District 2.
I don't know much about Meta Golding and I don't honestly think I have ever seen her in anything before so I can't really comment on this one. I will say that I liked Enobaria in the books, though. 



SPOILER ALERT: I will describe a little bit about this character but it contains spoilers from Mockingjay, so if you haven't read the books and are just watching the movies I would refrain from reading after the jump.

Jena Malone WILL play Johanna Mason in Catching Fire

It is confirmed! Jena Malone (Stepmom, Sucker Punch) will play the role of Johanna Mason in Catching Fire, the upcoming sequel to The Hunger Games.

I mentioned this last week and I was excited for this possibility. Now that it has been confirmed I am even more excited. I really like Jena Malone and I think she is going to be a fantastic Johanna. Now all we need is for them to cast Finnick and we'll be all set when it comes to the absolute major characters.

More directors for Catching Fire added to the list of possibles

Two more directors have been added to the list of potentials for Catching Fire, the upcoming sequel to The Hunger Games. As I previously posted, the three directors who are already being considered are David Cronenberg, Alfonso Cuarón, and Alejandro González Iñárritu. Now we must add in Bennett Miller and Francis Lawrence. 


Miller:
Moneyball
Capote


Lawrence:
Water for Elephants 
I Am Legend
Constantine

They are really throwing out some good contenders for this movie, ffs. I liked both Moneyball and Capote, but I also really liked Water for Elephants. At this point I think I would be fine with any of the 5 contenders so far... but I am still kind of hoping for Cronenberg. =^D




http://collider.com/hunger-games-2-sequel-bennet-miller-francis-lawrence/159952/

The Hunger Games wins the box office again

24 days later it is still #1 in the US.

1. The Hunger Games ($21.5M)
2. The Three Stooges ($17.1M)
3. The Cabin in the Woods ($14.8M)
4. Titanic 3D ($11.6M)
5. American Reunion ($10.6M)

To go with this news, The Hunger Games has now passed $500 million worldwide and approximately $375 million domestically and $200 million overseas. I can only imagine what Catching Fire is going to rake in at the box office... and I bet you anything Breaking Dawn Part 2 won't make shit in comparison come November.

Catching Fire director possibilities already being discussed

Of course this has to happen soon due to the fact that filming for Catching Fire begins this fall.

With that said, the names that are already being tossed around are David Cronenberg, Alfonso Cuarón, and Alejandro González Iñárritu.

Cronenberg:
Cosmopolis
A Dangerous Method
A History of Violence
The Fly

Cuarón:
Children of Men
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
A Little Princess
  
González Iñárritu:
Biutiful
Babel
21 Grams

Personally, out of these choices I would prefer David Cronenberg but I would be alright with Alfonso Cuarón as well. I haven't seen any of the movies that Alejandro González Iñárritu has directed so I am a bit biased in not choosing him, but if you haven't seen anything then you haven't. I think that is fair.


http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Catching-Fire-Director-Shortlist-Includes-Alfonso-Cuaron-David-Cronenberg-30400.html

Gary Ross will not direct Catching Fire

Gary Ross has officially stepped out of the director's chair for Catching Fire, the upcoming sequel to The Hunger Games.
This is kind of sad. The way it sounds is that he feels they are rushing the movie a bit with the 2013 release date. Maybe he was hoping for 2014.

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/04/10/gary-ross-will-not-direct-second-hunger-games-installment-catching-fire/

Another shameless plug for The Hunger Games

As I mentioned before, my buddy Cameron created a forum for The Hunger Games trilogy and we're trying to build up the membership. It's free and will be a lot of fun once we get some more members. If you are a fan of either the books or the movie, or both, come on and join. We don't bite.

The goal is to try and build it up similar to what House of Jigsaw was for the Saw franchise. That is actually how I met Cameron was through HOJ. We had VIP members on HOJ from the Saw franchise (James Wan, Darren Bousman, Leigh Whannell, Peter Outerbridge, Betsy Russell, etc.) and the other goal is to try and get VIP members from The Hunger Games. Cam is already trying to snag Jennifer Lawrence and we're trying to get some smaller characters as well. Hopefully once Catching Fire gets rolling we'll be able to build it up a bit more.

So please guys, if you want to discuss some Hunger Games with us come on and try it out. Hell, come and talk about anything with us. We have a subforum for general discussion. Once we get more members we will probably add some more subforums similar to what HOJ had (music, other movies, etc.). Don't be shy. =^D

http://www.thehungergames-trilogy.com/forum.php

Gary Ross drops out of Catching Fire

This move I don't really understand, especially after the tremendous success of The Hunger Games. I just hope they get someone who knows what the fuck they are doing for both Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/206688/the-hunger-games-sequel-catching-fire-needs-a-new-director/

The Hunger Games - the forum

My friend Cameron just started up a forum for The Hunger Games. I'm already there and posting. Come join us and bring a friend! And if you spam I will personally cuss you out. Just fyi.

http://www.thehungergames-trilogy.com/forum.php


Fun Fact: Cameron's girlfriend was an extra in the movie.