Tag Archives: Suzanne Collins

‘Catching Fire’ Arena To Be Shot In IMAX

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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

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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.”

‘Hunger Games’ Star Josh Hutcherson Thankful For ‘A Lot Of Firsts’ In 2012

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If you’re a movie fan, 2012 has been a pretty great year. And even though it’s a little early to be thinking about the best of this year, since a lot of potential awards contenders have not yet hit theaters, we have no qualms about naming “Breaking Dawn – Part 2,” “The Avengers” and “The Hunger Games” as the 2012 films we’re most thankful for.

Here to represent the blockbuster big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins‘ bestseller is star Josh Hutcherson, who stopped by MTV News recently to chat about his very big 2012.

“I’m very thankful [for 2012] as well,” Hutcherson said. “I had a lot of work that came out this year and was pretty successful thus far, so it was exciting for me. It definitely exceeded my expectations.”

Speaking specifically to “The Hunger Games,” Hutcherson said that in embarking upon an international press tour, he was able to see just how widespread the enthusiasm is for the film, as well as experience a couple big “firsts.”

“I had a lot of firsts this year. I went to Paris, London and Berlin for the first time, so I got to see a lot of new places,” he said. “I had a blast. The press tour was so fun with me and Liam [Hemsworth] and Jen [Lawrence] and [director] Gary [Marshall] flying all over the world together. … Being with Liam and Jen was great because we were experiencing something brand-new to all of us. I think Liam had the most experience dealing with [a lot of press], just because of him and [his engagement to] Miley [Cyrus], but having really good people experiencing it with you made it a lot easier.”

Hutcherson isn’t just thankful for “The Hunger Games” in the last year; he’s also happy to have discovered new music and grateful for a second season of the saucy reality show “Gigolos.”

“I’m thankful that I’ve been turned on to the Lumineers,” Hutcherson said of the “Ho Hey” group. “I am still watching ‘Gigolos.’ I haven’t been caught up to date on the latest episode, but when I was in Atlanta, I was getting my Gigolo on — I was watching the ‘Gigolos’ TV show.”

Something else Hutcherson is keeping up with is Kim Kardashian — on Twitter, that is, though he didn’t seem aware of that fact.

“I follow Kim Kardashian?” he said when asked about how he chooses who he follows on the social-networking site. “I have my reasons,” he added with a smile. “They are top-secret. I can’t divulge my secrets.”

Finally, what does Mr. Hutcherson want for his 2013 in order for it to outdo the successes he enjoyed in 2012? As it turns out, the 20-year-old has his mind not only on himself, but on the bigger picture.

“There is the obvious that everybody will say, which is a better economy and a better America, so I hope for a better economy, a better America,” he said. “Outside of that, we’re shooting the next two ‘Hunger Games‘ movies back-to-back, and then I’m shooting another ‘Journey,’ so as long as the world doesn’t end, I have a busy 2013 coming up.”

Stick with MTV Movies leading up to Thanksgiving as we discuss the films we’re most thankful for in 2012!

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

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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

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“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

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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.

‘Hunger Games’ Already Devoured? Read This Next!

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If the wait list at your local library seems especially long lately, it may have something to do with Teen Read Week, the Young Adult Library Service Association’s annual initiative to encourage high-schoolers to devour books, which runs October 14-20.

It probably goes without saying that the writer of this here “Hunger Games” column, Hobnobbing, is a big proponent of cozying up to an unputdownable tome. But perhaps you’ve read (and loved) Suzanne Collins‘ dystopian series and are in the market for something new( yet equally riveting). Well, look no further. No matter which aspect of “The Hunger Games” you liked best, we have a recommendation for you. Check them out below!

Dystopia Does It For You
Take a trip down to your local bookstore’s young-adult aisle, and you may be hard-pressed to find a novel that isn’t a frightful imagining of our near future. But there are still a number of standouts in this category, including Marie Lu’s “Legend,” about a young military officer in training who goes on a mission to find her brother’s killer — and the suspect is only the most notorious criminal in her town! The follow-up, “Prodigy,” is due in January 2013.

A Strong Heroine Is a Must
Much like dystopia, there is no shortage of fierce females in young-adult literature. But if we had to ally with just one butt-kicking babe (besides Katniss Everdeen, of course), we’d pick Tris Prior, the 16-year-old heroine of “Divergent.” Girl jumps from moving trains, for goodness’ sake! And with two books already published in author Veronica Roth‘s dystopian series — and a film in the works — there’s plenty of Tris to go around.

You Swoon Over Sensitive Boys
Peeta who? Let us introduce you to Augustus Waters, the cute, kind boyfriend of terminal cancer patient Hazel Lancaster in John Green’s novel “The Fault in Our Stars.” The two meet in their cancer support group (Augustus’ cancer is in remission), and without giving away the whole darn thing, let’s just say Augustus uses his charms to make Hazel’s dreams come true. Best Fictional Boyfriend of 2012? We think so.

Reapings Rock?
Well, not really. But if random lotteries get your heart racing — in a good way — Kiera Cass’ “The Selection” should rule your reading list. Consider it a teen dystopian version of “The Bachelor”… with a prince!

Crazy Costumes Are Critical

Effie Trinket has nothing on 17-year-old Lola, the protagonist of Stephanie Perkins’ infinitely readable “Lola and the Boy Next Door.” When not trying to decode her relationship with next-door neighbor Cricket, the budding fashion designer — who’s never met a kaleidoscopic wig or over-the-top outfit she didn’t like — toils away at her grandiose winter formal costume. Two words: Marie Antoinette.

Have you read any of these books? Which novels would you recommend? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!

Earlier “Hunger Games” columns:
» Why Is ‘Hunger Games‘ On Banned Book List?
» When ‘Pitch Perfect’ Met ‘Hunger Games‘
» ‘Catching Fire’ Soundtrack: A Wish List
» ‘Catching Fire’ Ignites: The Scenes We’re Anticipating Most
» Fall Movie Preview: ‘Hunger Games‘ Edition

‘Hunger Games’ Finale ‘Mockingjay’ Finds A Writer

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Despite the fact that filming has only just begun on the second chapter in the “Hunger Games” franchise, it’s never too early to plan ahead for the 2014 and 2015 releases of the third and fourth installments, which will be based on “Mockingjay,” the final book in Suzanne Collins‘ bestselling trilogy.

According to The Hollywood Reporter‘s Heat Vision blog, Lionsgate has reached out to recent Emmy winner Danny Strong to pen the two-part version of “Mockingjay.” THR reports that Strong is “in talks” for the job, which in industry speak usually means that negotiations are ongoing. They also claim that Strong beat out other top screenwriting talent, including Drew Goddard, who wrote “Cabin in the Woods” and “Cloverfield”; Vanessa Taylor, writer/co-exec producer on “Game of Thrones”; and Chris Terrio, who wrote this season’s buzzworthy Best Picture contender “Argo.”

Lionsgate announced that “Mockingjay” would be split into two parts earlier this year and that the first film will be released November 21, 2014, and the second one a year later, on November 20, 2015.

Strong has been racking up an impressive list of screenwriting credits since he wrote “Recount,” the HBO movie based on the 2000 election. He won an Emmy for another HBO political movie, “Game Change,” last month. The actor-turned-writer started out his career in front of the camera with appearances on shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Mad Men” and “Gilmore Girls” and has since contributed to scripts for Lee Daniel‘s star-studded upcoming White House drama “The Butler” and the big-screen adaptation of Dan Brown‘s novel “The Lost Symbol.”

Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1.”

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

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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

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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?