Mockingjay: Part 2 - First Teaser

We have our first look at the war moving into the Capitol in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2... and it looks pretty awesome.

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.

Most Anticipated Films of 2015

We've examined the best and worst of 2014 so now it's time to look forward and talk about what we are most looking forward to in 2015. Shouldn't need clarification but if it does, this is an opinion list so if you are anticipating something that isn't on here feel free to comment and talk about it! Are you not excited about what is on this list? Leave a comment and talk about it.

These are listed in the order of release, as it currently stands, and does not include rumored 2015 releases. If it doesn't have an official date it won't be included. Let's get started!


Selma (January 9th)

Seriously, who doesn't love a movie about Martin Luther King, Jr.? Aside from that it does look really good. I don't know if I will see in theaters, but I do plan on seeing it at some point next year.


Still Alice (January 16th)

Again, I am not sure if I will see this in theaters but it does look good. It's also gaining a lot of awards buzz already.


Fifty Shades of Grey (February 13th)

I am not putting this on the list because I think it will be good, but I am curious to see it. That and part of me is curious to see how it will do at the box office. If it's a smash I'm sure we will be Fifty Shades Darker and/or Fifty Shades Freed in the next couple of years.


Fast and Furious 7 (April 3rd)

Who doesn't want to see this? Come on.


Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1st)

No explanation is needed.


Mad Max: Fury Road (May 15th)

This one looks more than enjoyable.


Tomorrowland (May 22nd)

I think the concept alone is worth giving this one a try. The teaser looked cool, too.


Insidious: Chapter 3 (June 5th)

I'm more than curious to see where they are going to go with this one. I also am rooting for Leigh Whannell.


Jurassic World (June 12th)

Terrible trailer aside, seeing this one is a given.


Inside Out (June 19th)

Been a long time, Pixar. 


Ant-Man (July 17th)

I'm not happy with this project at all because I don't see the relevance to the rest of the MCU at this point and the whole thing with Edgar Wright was bullshit, but I'm curious. Here's to hoping it will at least serve as relevant to Captain America: Civil War or to the Infinity War films. That's the only hope they have because I don't see Ant-Man turning into a standout character in the MCU.


Goosebumps (August 7th)

My childhood is calling me. I'll see this one, for sure.


Sinister 2 (August 21st)

If it's as good as Sinister was I will be satisfied.


Peanuts (November 6th)

Who doesn't want to see Charlie Brown again? Good grief.


Spectre (November 6th)

My body is ready for more 007. That's all there is to it.


The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (November 20th)

They left off at a good spot, so I think they could do great things with this last installment. I just hope they include the epilogue and don't destroy the last half of the book.


Star Wars: The Force Awakens (December 18th)

Duh.



Out of all the releases we are getting next year I did manage to narrow the list down to less than 20 movies. I'm not guaranteeing that I will see all of these in theaters because I didn't make it to the theater a lot this year, but I do plan on seeing all of these at some point. I'm sure I will see more but these are on the top of my list.

Happy New Year, everyone. Bring on 2015!

New teaser surfaces for Mockingjay - Part 1

We are finally starting to get some teasers for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1. Today we received a message from the Capitol and President Snow. You also see a familiar face standing with him. If you read the book you will know why it makes me sad.





It's about time we started getting more than irrelevant promotional posters. I am still somewhat in shock that we haven't received a trailer yet. Give us a teaser or something! Something more than just a message from President Snow. Footage. We need footage! 
But with that said, there are whispers that a teaser will premiere before Transformers: Age of Extinction this weekend, so the wait might be almost over. We will no doubt get a trailer at Comic-Con later in July, too.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 hits theaters on November 21st. Part 2 holds a release date of November 20th, 2015.

Michelle Forbes joins Mockingjay - Part 2

We have yet another casting announcement for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.

Michelle Forbes, most often known for her portrayal of Maryann Forrester in True Blood, has been cast as Lieutenant Jackson in the second part of the Hunger Games finale. You also might recognize Forbes from the short-lived series The Killing and Battlestar Galactica.
Mockingjay has apparently wrapped filming already and many are speculating that we will be getting a teaser for Mockingjay - Part 1 before too long. At this time last year we already had one for Catching Fire, so the marketing is a bit behind schedule.

If you aren't familiar with Jackson, she is a soldier from District 13 who is placed on Squad 451 as a sharpshooter alongside Katniss, Gale, and Finnick. She is also tricked by Katniss on numerous occasions while on District 13 missions. She is described as a middle-aged woman who is capable of seeing and shooting objects others can't see without a scope.

Philip Seymour Hoffman dead at 46

Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman has died at the age of 46 due to a suspected drug overdose. He was found in his apartment in New York City by an unidentified source. No confirmed cause of death has been noted, but the actor has struggled with Heroin addiction throughout his life.

He was currently filming The Hunger Games trilogy with Mockingjay Part 2 and also completed a television series titled Happyish. Hoffman had recently starred in Moneyball, The Master, A Most Wanted Man, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. He previously won an Oscar and a Golden Globe in 2005 for his role as Truman Capote in Capote. He also earned Oscar nominations for his roles in The Master, Doubt, and Charlie Wilson's War.


I find this very sad. He was a great actor and it will be sad to not see him on the big screen anymore. Rest in peace, good sir.

Wes Chatham and Elden Henson join Mockingjay

Wes Chatham and Elden Henson have joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2. Chatham will play Castor and Henson will play Pollux.

You have seen Chatham in films such as The Help and W.
Henson looks more familiar as he has been seen back as far as the Mighty Ducks trilogy. Since then you've seen him in Idle Hands, The Butterfly Effect, She's All That, and most recently in Jobs. He has been formerly billed as Elden Ratliff and Elden Ryan Ratliff.

Now to the important stuff... Castor and Pollux aren't huge characters, but they do serve their purpose. The two are brothers and work closely with Cressida (Natalie Dormer) and Messalla (Evan Ross). They are both Capitol cameramen who join the rebellion and film propaganda pieces by following Katniss. Pollux and Castor are each a former Avox*.

*If you don't know what an Avox is, they are basically runaways from the Capitol and have been punished for rebelling. They have their tongues cut out and are Capitol servants who serve the tributes and Capitol citizens.

Julianne Moore confirmed for Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2

I could have sworn this already came out (UPDATE: It did), but we have confirmation that Julianne Moore will play President Alma Coin in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2.

Without giving too much away, Moore will play the President of  District 13 who you will soon find out is a lot more complicated than it seems. Click the jump for some spoilers on Coin.

Evan Ross cast for Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2

The Hunger Games casting seems to be going a bit wild right now. This is the third casting announcement in the past couple of days.

We got word via Twitter today that Evan Ross (CW's 90210) has been cast as Messalla, the video production assistant to Cressida. Messalla is a Capitol native who later joins the rebellion and is part of a television crew who follows Katniss to film short propaganda films. He is valuable to the rebels because he knows the secret hiding spots of supplies within the Capitol.
I don't know anything about this kid, but after a quick Google search I learned he is the son of singer Diana Ross. That's about it.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 hits theaters on November 21, 2014 and Part 2 hits on November 20, 2015.

Stef Dawson joins Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2

Australian actress Stef Dawson has joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2. She will be playing Annie Cresta, a former victor and love interest of Finnick Odair.

If you need some catch up on Annie:

She was the winner from District 4 at the 70th annual Hunger Games entering as a career tribute.
She went a bit insane after witnessing her District 4 partner get beheaded.
Is the one true love of Finnick.
Described to have green eyes and flowing brown hair.
She avoided the Quarter Quell (in Catching Fire) after Mags volunteered to take her place.


Not really who I pictured as Annie, but oh well. I've honestly never heard of this girl so I don't know what to expect.

Julianne Moore sought after for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

This isn't really a spoiler, but in case you didn't know... many characters from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will carry over into the Mockingjay movies. However, there are still some new characters that need to be cast. One of those is Alma Coin, the leader of the rebellion against the Capitol. I'm sure many actresses are being considered for this role, as it is a very important one, but the woman on the top of Lionsgate's list right now is Julianna Moore.

Moore is an Oscar nominated actress with many decent credits to her name. She also has a busy 2013 including Carrie, Seventh Son, and Don Jon. I personally think she would be a fantastic choice and I hope this happens. There are a few pretty high end actors that have joined the cast, like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Donald Sutherland, so I don't think this is necessarily out of the question.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is set for November 21, 2014 and Part 2 is set for November 20, 2015.

In case you are completely ignorant of The Hunger Games beyond the first movie and want a spoiler, go ahead and click the jump and I will introduce you to President Coin a bit more.

Francis Lawrence to return for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

News has broken that director Francis Lawrence will return to direct both installments of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay scheduled for 2014 and 2015 releases. Lawrence is currently directing The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, so there really is no telling if this is a good or bad thing just yet, so we will have to wait and see.

In a way I am happy about this because the biggest downfall to sagas like this is the constant changing of directors. Take the Twilight saga. Each movie, except for Breaking Dawn 1 & 2, has had a different director. As a result the feel and tone of each film was different and that also takes a toll on how the actors perform. At least that's my opinion. The fact that Francis Lawrence will direct 3 of the 4 Hunger Games films is probably good.