Tag Archives: Catching Fire

‘Catching Fire’ Arena To Be Shot In IMAX

Posted on by

While many of us are still nursing a turkey hangover, the cast and crew of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” will be working off their Thanksgiving calories running through the jungles of Hawaii, filming scenes for the sequel’s 75th annual Hunger Games — otherwise known as the Quarter Quell in Suzanne Collins‘ best-selling novel.

And when star Lionsgate announced in June that the follow-up would feature scenes filmed specifically for the big big screens, though did not divulge specifics.

“They’re shooting, I think, all the stuff in the arena is going to be IMAX,” Hutcherson said. “So when you go see it in IMAX, you’ll see the regular movie when we’re in the Districts and in the Capitol. When you see us go up in the pod in the games, it will open up into IMAX. It will be amazing. It’s very cool.”

Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”

Josh Hutcherson Splits Pants Filming Intimate ‘Catching Fire’ Scene

Posted on by

Spoilers ahead if you have not read “Catching Fire.”

In between mouthfuls of tender turkey and sweet potato casserole, MTV News took the time last week to reflect upon a few of the movies we were thankful for in 2012, and it should come as no surprise that the big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins‘ best-selling “Hunger Games” was among the chosen. As such, star Josh Hutcherson, who plays baker boy Peeta Mellark, stopped by our studios to share his own thankful list (“Gigolos”?), as well as reveal a few details about the in-production follow-up, “Catching Fire.”

Among the many moments fans are surely craving is Peeta’s proposal to Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) in front of the bright lights of Caesar Flickerman‘s cameras. But for Hutcherson, the highly anticipated scene didn’t quite go as planned.

“I have proposed to Katniss,” Hutcherson confirmed. “It was good. Actually, funny story: When we shot it, the actual proposal itself is done where you don’t hear what we’re saying, so I was just saying gibberish while I was proposing to her on one knee. Actually, the very first time I went to get down on one knee my pants ripped right down the crotch. The worst thing that could happen when you’re proposing to somebody is that your pants rip right down the crotch, and that’s what happened to Peeta. So… he’s doomed. He’s doomed. Poor guy, he just can’t catch a break.”

Thankfully, the pants predicament seems to be the worst the actor has weathered while filming. In fact, when asked which scenes were his favorite to film so far, Hutcherson was quick with one pivotal moment in particular:

“The Reaping stuff was really great. The Reaping stuff we did was really powerful, really well written,” he recalled. “The extras were so awesome. Like, literally, every extra was a very, very talented actor, and so in the really emotional scenes, all the background really brought their A-game. It really added a lot. That was really cool to see that all come together.”

Next up, the cast will fly to Hawaii to film the tropically-inclined Quarter Quell.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” lights up theaters on November 22, 2013.

Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”

Jennifer Lawrence Blabs About Off-Screen ‘Catching Fire’ Romance

Posted on by

If you ask “Hunger Games” fans about what scenes they most anticipate seeing in “Catching Fire,” you’re likely to get a variety of responses. The fact is, Suzanne Collins‘ second novel in the trilogy has a lot going on. But if you ask what character they’re most looking forward to seeing in action, dreamy District 4 champ Finnick Odair would likely get the majority vote.

Ever since the fan favorite role was cast with “Snow White and the Huntsman” star Sam Claflin, we’ve been dying to hear some details about Claflin’s performance thus far from someone in the know. Thankfully we had a recent opportunity with lady Katniss herself, Jennifer Lawrence, who revealed a surprising little tidbit when we asked her what she loves most about Claflin in the role.

“That is not a question for me,” Lawrence told MTV News Monday (November 19) at a Los Angeles screening of her new movie “Silver Linings Playbook.”

Oh no? Who among the star-studded cast should we consult about the subject then?

“Josh Hutcherson,” Lawrence said. “They are in love. It’s a full-blown bromance and it’s really bromantic and adorable. It’s really cute. It’s annoying, but it’s cute.”

We can’t wait to see that in action, despite the fact that Hutcherson and Claflin’s characters aren’t exactly the best of friends in “Catching Fire.” Anyway, annoying real-life bromance or not, Lawrence has praised Claflin’s acting chops.

“He’s really sweet, a great, wonderful actor,” she told us at the Toronto Film Festival. “He’s got a great American accent.”
Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games :Catching Fire.”

Francis Lawrence To Direct Both ‘Mockingjay’ Films

Posted on by

“Catching Fire” helmer Francis Lawrence has been reaped to direct the final two installment of “The Hunger Games” franchise, “Mockingjay – Part 1″ and “Mockingjay – Part 2,” Lionsgate has confirmed.

Lawrence is currently at work on the series’ second installment, having been tapped to fill the vacant director’s chair left after Gary Ross opted out of the sequel. Principle photography on “Catching Fire” began in September in Atlanta, Georgia, with production shifting to Hawaii in order to evoke the tropical setting of the 75th annual Hunger Games (otherwise known as the Quarter Quell).

Rumors had swirled that Lionsgate was eyeing a new auteur to direct the franchise’s two-part finale (due largely to the series’ aggressive production schedule), but the studio must have decided that the odds were ever in Lawrence’s favor.

When MTV News caught up with Woody Harrelson (otherwise known as oft-drunk District 12 mentor Haymitch Abernathy) prior to “Catching Fire” filming, he was excited about the prospect of Lawrence behind the camera. “You know, I like the way Francis is very thorough, very on top of everything. I really feel great,” he said. “I loved Gary. I thought Gary did an incredible job with the first one, but I do think Francis is going to do great with this.”

“Mockingjay” — written as a single book by Suzanne Collins — will be split into two films much the same way “Breaking Dawn” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” were. The films will follow bow-and-arrow-wielding heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as she leads a rebellion against the Capitol and its tyrannical leader President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth will also star.

“Catching Fire” is slated for a November 22, 2013, release, with “Mockingjay – Part 1″ out November 21, 2014, followed by “Mockingjay – Part 2″ debuting November 20, 2015.

What do you think about Francis Lawrence directing the remainder of “The Hunger Games” franchise?

‘Hunger Games’ Too Heavy? ‘Starving Games’ May Be Your Movie

Posted on by

If you tuned into the big-screen adaptation of “The Hunger Games” earlier this year and found the plot to be a bit humorless, maybe its in-the-works spoof will be more your taste. Billed as “The Starving Games,” the film will put a comedic spin on the hit flick based on Suzanne Collins‘ trilogy.

“Switched at Birth” actress Maiara Walsh has been tapped to play the Katniss Everdeen character, Kantmiss Evershot. Meanwhile “Pretty Little Liars” actor Brant Daugherty will tackle the untitled Gale role. No word on if a Peeta-type will find its way into the story, being created by spoof masters Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer (the brain trust behind “Date Movie,” “Meet the Spartans” and “Vampires Suck”).

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will also mock “The Avengers,” “Sherlock Holmes” and the final “Harry Potter” film. Shooting will kick off this week in New Orleans, but no release date has been set.

Coincidentally, the second film in the “Hunger Games” franchise, “Catching Fire,” is currently shooting as well. It began filming last month in Atlanta with famed music video director Francis Lawrence at the helm. He replaced the franchise’s original director, Gary Ross, earlier this year. The second part of the “Hunger Games” franchise will hit theaters on November 22, 2013.

With Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson all set to return as the film’s leading three characters, the sequel will also include some new faces. Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Wright, Jena Malone and Philip Seymour Hoffman have all been cast in pivotal roles in the film. Additionally, Oscar-nominated costume designer Judianna Makovsky, who worked on the eye-catching looks for “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” has been tapped to design the costumes for the film.

When ‘Pitch Perfect’ Met ‘Hunger Games’

Posted on by

With “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” not set to light up theaters until November 22, 2013, we’ve had to satisfy our saga cravings in other ways. Lucky for us, the film’s stars have graciously served up a veritable feast of fall films to snack on, including Jennifer Lawrence’s “House at the End of the Street,” Josh Hutcherson’s “Red Dawn” and, opening in limited release on September 28, Elizabeth Bank‘s a cappella comedy “Pitch Perfect.”

The film stars Anna Kendrick as a reluctant recruit of the Barden University Bellas — an all-girl singing group facing off against their campus rivals, the all-boy Treblemakers. Banks (who also produced) plays a former-a-cappella-er-turned-commentator, and our friends at NextMovie are not wrong dubbing it a very Effie Trinket-like role.

In fact, it got us thinking: If our favorite Panem people were in an a cappella group, what solo songs would they sing? (Yes, we think about such things while drinking our pumpkin spice lattes in the morning.) So, without further ado, here is a sneak peek at the performance set list for the aptly named Mockingjays:

Katniss: Mash-up of Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire” and Destiny Child’s “Survivor”
We’ve already made our plea for Keys’ latest single to blaze the “Catching Fire” soundtrack, so of course it would be our District 12 diva’s theme song. With Destiny Child’s 2001 hit interwoven, this could be the girl-power anthem of the millennium.

Peeta: Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”
Peeta is a sensitive soul, so we have no doubt his performance number would be some sort of ballad. This mellow jam from the “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” soundtrack perfectly sums up the baker boy’s feelings for his fellow District 12 tribute. We can already see Katniss perched on a stool as Peeta croons to her like a dystopian Backstreet Boy. Swoon!

Gale: Police’s “Every Breath You Take”
As deep as Gale’s affections run for Katniss, he’s powerless to help her once she’s stepped foot inside the deadly arena. All he can do is watch the televised death match unfold on the Jumbotron — a sentiment perfectly expressed in this 1983 hit. “Every breath you take / And every move you make / Every bond you break, every step you take / I’ll be watching you.” Yep, sounds like Gale.

Haymitch: Jamie Foxx’s “Blame It (On the Alcohol)”
A no-brainer for Panem’s most infamous drunk, right? Just blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol!

Effie: Diana Ross’ “Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?)”
Sure, the lyrics don’t really resonate with our idea of the District 12 mentor, but we know how much she adores the luxury hardwood…

Special Guest President Snow: Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose”
The dictator of the districts would never deign to join the Mockingjays as a full-fledged member, but there’s no denying he would use a guest appearance to spread his propaganda. President Snow is never without is rot-ridding rose boutonniere, so it only stands to reason he’d happily sing its praises.

What songs do you think the Mockingjays should sing? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!

Earlier “Hunger Games” columns:
» ‘Catching Fire‘ Soundtrack: A Wish List
» ‘Catching Fire‘ Ignites: The Scenes We’re Anticipating Most
» Fall Movie Preview: ‘Hunger Games’ Edition
» ‘Hunger Games’ DVD Viewing Party: Foxface Has Tips!
» ‘Catching Fire‘: Finnick Is Just One Casting Mystery

‘Catching Fire’ Star Jena Malone ‘Craves’ Intense Training Regimens

Posted on by

LOS ANGELES — With production on “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” officially underway, our long wait to see the highly anticipated sequel is getting shorter with each passing day. And especially now that all of the new cast members have been announced, we’re ready to get to know a few familiar and new faces in their new roles.

MTV News was lucky enough to catch up with one of the new key players in question at the Emmys on Sunday, seasoned actress Jena Malone who is playing District 7 spitfire Johanna Mason. We immediately expressed our excitement about “Catching Fire” and asked Malone, who attended the awards show as part of the Emmy-nominated miniseries “Hatfields McCoys,” what excites her most about being a part of the franchise.

“I’m very excited as well, it’s going to be great,” Malone said. “I just love the books so much. I literally read all three in four days and just was crying at the end. I’m really, really excited to be a part of it.”

As a fan of Suzanne Collins‘ bestselling trilogy, the 27-year-old “Sucker Punch” star clearly has an affinity for her tough-cookie character, though she didn’t want to talk too much about why she loves playing Johanna.

“Yeah, we’ll get into it when there’s more to say,” Malone said, before adding that she is in the midst of an intense training regimen to get prepared for all the various physical demands required of the role.

“Oh yeah, I’m in the thick of [training] but excited,” she said. “I love that kind of stuff. ‘Sucker Punch‘ kind of got me into a regimen and now I kind of crave it.”

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and a slew of fresh faces, will hit theaters November 22, 2013.

Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”

‘Catching Fire’ Soundtrack: A Wish List

Posted on by

I’ll admit, speculating over the soundtrack for a movie that began production less than two weeks ago seems premature. But here we are, with buzz already beginning for the sonic accompaniment to “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” due in large part to an intriguing tweet from We The Kings frontman Travis Clark (thanks to our friends at Hunger Games Examiner for the heads up).

“Just wrote a song for the Hunger Games soundtrack icon smile Catching Fire Soundtrack: A Wish List it sounds effin amazingggg,” he wrote on Wednesday. (I’m assuming he means the “Catching Fire” soundtrack considering “The Hunger Games” soundtrack dropped earlier this year with the movie.) And while there’s no confirmation from Lionsgate whether the song was commissioned, or is being written on spec, or is really a thing at all, it did get us thinking about the artists we’d like to see in the album’s liner notes. And really, if we fans send our suggestions out into the ether now, maybe they can actually be considered! So here are five of my picks for artists I’d like to see on the “Catching Fire” soundtrack:

Florence + The Machine
I’ve been pining for 26-year-old Florence Welch to visit Panem since before the first installment hit theaters in March. The English songstress has such a powerful pair of pipes, and her ethereal ballads lend an air of epic-ness to everything they touch (see: “Snow White and the Huntsman” and the recently released “Beautiful Creatures” trailer). I think we can all agree storytelling doesn’t get much more epic than 24 children battling in a televised death match.

Mumford Sons
No, this won’t be an entire list of English bands with punctuation marks in the middle of their names. Anyway! The franchise’s first soundtrack leaned heavily on country influences, what with the inclusion of Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and the Secret Sisters. If the film’s music supervisor decides to stick with a similar theme, the rock group’s folk sensibility would be at safe and sound here.

Blake Shelton
Again with the country. Blake Shelton‘s wife Miranda Lambert and his “The Voice” co-judge Adam Levine (of Maroon 5) both appeared on “The Hunger Games” soundtrack, so he’ll have two artists to ask for tips and advice. Not that he needs to. But still.

Alicia Keys
Guys, her new single is titled “Girl on Fire.” It doesn’t get more fitting than that. Though Keys was not inspired by Suzanne Collins‘ dystopian tale (she said as much during an interview with Entertainment Weekly), there’s no denying her collaboration with Nicki Minaj is sufficiently inspiring enough to keep our heroine Katniss Everdeen alive in the arena.

Taylor Swift…Again
Because she can do no wrong.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” hits theaters November 22, 2013.

Which artists do you think should be on the “Catching Fire” soundtrack? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!

Earlier “Hunger Games” columns:
» ‘Catching Fire‘ Ignites: The Scenes We’re Anticipating Most
» Fall Movie Preview: ‘Hunger Games‘ Edition
» ‘Hunger Games‘ DVD Viewing Party: Foxface Has Tips!
» ‘Catching Fire‘: Finnick Is Just One Casting Mystery
» ‘Catching Fire‘ Casting: Who Is Mags?

‘Catching Fire’ Ignites: The Scenes We’re Anticipating Most

Posted on by

Production on “The Hunger Games” sequel “Catching Fire” began this week in Atlanta, and like most ravenous fans, we have plenty of hopes, dreams and fears regarding the Francis Lawrence-directed dystopian drama.

Woody Harrelson, who plays District 12 mentor Haymitch Abernathy, happily allayed many of our apprehensions, telling MTV News at the Toronto International Film Festival that the script is “strong” and that Lawrence is going to do “great.” Well, phew! Thanks, Woody. Now that our anxiety is squelched, we can focus on the positives, like, which scenes we’re most excited to see translated to the big screen.

As such, this week’s Hobnobbing is a collaboration among the members of the Movies team in which we divulge which “Catching Fire” moment we’re hungering for. Read on for our thoughts and leave your own in the comments! (SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN’T READ SUZANNE COLLINS’ NOVEL)

President Snow Knows About the Kiss
The scene I can’t wait to see: the one from early in the book in which Katniss finds herself face-to-face with the evil President Snow. He alerts her to the fact that her Hunger Games performance has sparked rebellion in the Districts … and then also lets fly with the news that he’s been spying on her and Gale during their sexual tension-filled reunion back in District 12. Not because it’s a particularly important moment — the revelation that the Prez is a creepy peeping Tom is more unintentionally hilarious than anything else — but I can’t be the only one dying to see if Donald Sutherland can deliver his line (“I know about the kiss!”) with a straight face. —Kat Rosenfield, writer

Victory Tour Stop in District 11
There are so many awesome scenes in this book! I had a really tough time selecting just one to write about. However, I settled on the scene that still makes eyes well up to this day: Katniss and Peeta’s Victory Tour stop in District 11. Try to tell me you weren’t moved to tears when the entire district saluted Katniss with the District 12 gesture, and I will not believe you. I still get teary-eyed just thinking about it. And yes, there was a hint to the scene in “The Hunger Games,” but I’m hoping that Francis Lawrence includes the full-scale version in “Catching Fire.” After all, it does start to set the tone for rumblings of rebellion… —Kara Warner, senior writer

Haymitch’s Hunger Games
Haymitch Abernathy is a mean, take-no-guff-from-you-young-whippersnappers-even-if-you’re-about-to-die drunk. He’s also, under Woody Harrelson’s scene-stealing control, totally loveable and the best part of “The Hunger Games.” In that film, we hear all about Haymitch’s former exploits as a 16-year-old champ of the kill-or-be-killed tourney. But it’s hard to square that badass warrior with the blotto bozo attempting to mentor his District 12 charges. “Catching Fire” fills in the blanks, and I can’t wait. As Katniss and Peeta train for the 75th Games, they watch footage of Haymitch’s tactical wizardry on his way to victory. It’s a short scene, yet one on which the man’s entire character arc depends. Plus I wonder who will play young Haymitch. Is Aaron Paul too old? Probably. What about Jamie Campbell Bower? Or — oh, please — Woody going in for a “Benjamin Button”-style makeover. —Eric Ditzian, Movies managing editor

Mags’ Death
I’m a Finnick fan. Sure, he looks good armed with nothing more than a trident and a bathing suit, but there’s more than meets the eye to that one beyond appearances. You really get your first glimpse at what makes Finnick tick, the kind of person he is and the types of values he holds, when Mags sacrifices her life not just so would-be rebellion figureheads Katniss and Peeta can survive the Quarter Quell, but so her dear friend Finnick can live, too. It’s not just a wonderfully poetic death for an old soul; it’s a moment of profound sadness for a guy who, up until that point, was little more than a walking, talking pair of pecs. I’m very curious to see how Sam Claflin and Lynn Cohen bring that scene to life. It won’t be easy, but it’ll (hopefully) be great. —Josh Wigler, Splash Page editor

The Ticking Arena
It probably isn’t a spoiler anymore, but Katniss heads back to the Hunger Games in “Catching Fire.” Except this time, since the Games are for the Quarter Quell, the stakes are even higher. The arena that Plutarch Heavensbee (played by the fantastic Philip Seymour Hoffman) creates puts Seneca Crane’s to shame, and the drama is only heightened when — surprise! — we find out the arena is actually a giant clock. The setting is much more fantastical than the one in “The Hunger Games,” so I can’t wait to see how director Francis Lawrence brings it to life. —Terri Schwartz, writer

A Chink in the Armor
Much like Terri, I’m keen to see the vicious Quarter Quell in all its gory glory. But the moment I’m anticipating most is the arena’s destruction at the hands of Katniss and a single, well-placed arrow. Early in the Games, our heroine realizes that the jungle is surrounded by an electrified force field — with one small imperfection in its surface leaving it vulnerable. Katniss files the flaw away in her mind, but uses it to her advantage in a particularly dire moment of the Games. Recalling Haymitch’s words, “Remember who the real enemy is,” Katniss points her arrow not at a fellow tribute but at the “chink in the armor,” taking down the arena in a manner that only the Girl on Fire could. —Amy Wilkinson, Hollywood Crush editor

Which scene are you most excited to see? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!

Earlier “Hunger Games” columns
:
» Fall Movie Preview: ‘Hunger Games‘ Edition
» ‘Hunger Games‘ DVD Viewing Party: Foxface Has Tips!
» ‘Catching Fire‘: Finnick Is Just One Casting Mystery
» ‘Catching Fire‘ Casting: Who Is Mags?
» ‘Catching Fire‘ Casting Rumors: What About Sam Claflin?

How Drunk Will Woody Harrelson Act In ‘Catching Fire’?

Posted on by

Woody Harrelson wants to go full drunk in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”

MTV News had the chance to catch up with Harrelson at the Toronto International Film Festival and he said that he’s going to shoot “The Hunger Games” sequel in little more than a week. Harrelson’s had the chance to take a “gander” at the script for the project and said that it has his stamp of approval — though it could always use more alcohol for his character Haymitch.

[ video unavailable on this device ]

“It’s a really good script, really strong script, so I feel good about that. That was the big question mark, since there was so little time to get that script together,” he said.

Harrelson then opened up about the preparation he did for the film, saying, “[Director] Francis [Lawrence] had asked me if I had studied PTSD — post-traumatic stress disorder — and I actually did in college, I was a psychology minor. I met a guy who has PTSD in Maui, spent some time with him.”

He also addressed the transition of power in this movie from former director Gary Ross to Lawrence. Harrelson had nothing but kind things to say about Lawrence, who previously has directed films like “Water for Elephants” and “I Am Legend.”

“Francis is very thorough, very on top of everything, and I really feel great,” Harrelson said. “I love Gary, man. I thought Gary did an incredible job with the first one, but I do think Francis is going to do great with this.”

And just how drunk will Harrelson take Haymitch this time around? He told MTV that he’s going to go has far as he can with the character.

“I talked with Franics about that,” he said. “I love to try to go as far as possible. You know me: I try to take it over the top.”

“Catching Fire” is due in theaters on November 22, 2013.

What are you most looking forward to about “Catching Fire”? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Tags , ,