The Hunger Games (film)


 * This article is about the film. For other uses, see The Hunger Games (disambiguation).

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

- Official tagline

The Hunger Games is an upcoming film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins. It is directed Gary Ross and is scheduled for a March 23, 2012 release. March 22nd in Australia and New Zealand.

Synopsis
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a boy and girl from the ages of 12 to 18 to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Development
Lionsgate Entertainment acquired worldwide distribution rights to a film adaptation of The Hunger Games, which is being produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force production company. Suzanne Collins initially adapted the novel for film herself, with rewriting by Billy Ray. However, the first draft of the script was replaced by one written by Collins and director Gary Ross. When asked for his thoughts on his script being replaced, Ray said, "I don't have any." From an initial $60 million, the budget for the film was increased to $75 million. then to $100 million.

On May 18, 2011, Entertainment Weekly revealed on their cover the first photo of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. The first teaser trailer was revealed during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. Lawrence presented the teaser through a pre-recorded video, as she wasn't able to attend the event due to filming.

The official trailer was released on November 14, 2011.

Tributes

 * Jennifer Lawrence - Katniss Everdeen, the female tribute from District 12. Protagonist of the story.
 * Josh Hutcherson - Peeta Mellark, the male tribute from District 12 who is deeply in love with Katniss.
 * Jack Quaid - Marvel, the male tribute from District 1.
 * Leven Rambin - Glimmer, the female tribute from District 1.
 * Alexander Ludwig - Cato, the male tribute from District 2.
 * Isabelle Fuhrman - Clove, the female tribute from District 2.
 * Ian Nelson - the male tribute from District 3.
 * Kalia Prescott - the female tribute from District 3.
 * Ethan Jamieson - the male tribute from District 4.
 * Tara Macken - the female tribute from District 4.
 * Chris Mark - the male tribute from District 5.
 * Jacqueline Emerson - "Foxface", the cunning and sly female tribute from District 5.
 * Ashton Moio - the male tribute from District 6.
 * Kara Petersen - the female tribute from District 6.
 * Sam Ly - the male tribute from District 7.
 * Leigha Hancock - the female tribute from District 7.
 * Samuel Tan - the male tribute from District 8.
 * Mackenzie Lintz - the female tribute from District 8.
 * Imanol Yepez-Frias - the male tribute from District 9.
 * Annie Thurman - the female tribute from District 9.
 * Jeremy Marinas - the male tribute from District 10.
 * Dakota Hood - the female tribute from District 10.
 * Amandla Stenberg - Rue, Katniss' ally in the 74th Hunger Games, and female tribute from District 11.
 * Dayo Okeniyi - Thresh, the male tribute from District 11.

Other characters

 * Liam Hemsworth - Gale Hawthorne, best friend and hunting partner of Katniss.
 * Willow Shields - Primrose Everdeen, the younger sister of Katniss.
 * Paula Malcomson - Mrs. Everdeen, Katniss and Prim's mother.
 * Elizabeth Banks - Effie Trinket, escort of District 12 tributes, Katniss and Peeta.
 * Wes Bentley - Seneca Crane, Head Gamemaker of the 74th Hunger Games.
 * Stanley Tucci - Caesar Flickerman, Interviewer for the Hunger Games.
 * Woody Harrelson - Haymitch Abernathy,now an alcoholic, former Hunger Games victor and Katniss and Peeta's mentor.
 * Latarsha Rose - Portia, Peeta's stylist and Cinna's partner.
 * Brooke Bundy - Octavia, member of Katniss' prep team.
 * Lenny Kravitz - Cinna, Katniss' stylist and Portia's partner.
 * Toby Jones - Claudius Templesmith, arena announcer for the games.
 * Amber Chaney - Lavinia, the redheaded Avox girl.
 * Kimiko Gelman - Venia, member of Katniss' prep team.
 * Nelson Ascencio - Flavius, member of Katniss' prep team.
 * Donald Sutherland - President Snow, the cruel and oppressive ruler of Panem.
 * Phillip Troy Linger - Mr.Everdeen, Katniss' father.
 * Karan Kendrick - Atala, head trainer at the Training Center.

Music
Danny Elfman and T Bone Burnett were originally meant to collaborate in composing the film's score but Elfman dropped out of the project due to scheduling conflicts. James Newton Howard is set to fill in as the composer with Burnett also serving as the film's executive music producer.

Universal Republic will release the soundtrack besides songs that are directly influenced by the theme of the film like freedom, rebellion, survival and family. Glen Hansard will also be featured in the film's soundtrack, with a song he wrote from Katniss Everdeen's perspective. In addition to Burnett, Howard and Hansard, Michael Nielsen also contributes to the film's music with "Mercury", which is used for the first teaser trailer. Country singer Taylor Swift is also on the soundtrack with "Safe and Sound" featuring the two-time Grammy nominated duo The Civil Wars.

Following the release of the information about "Safe and Sound", two award-winning groups are also announced to be part of the soundtrack: The Decemberists have contributed an original song, "One Engine", while Arcade Fire collaborated with Burnett for "Horn of Plenty". Both of the songs are included in the official soundtrack which will be released in March 2012.

Differences from the novel

 * In the film, Katniss gave the infamous Mockingjay pin to Prim and Prim returned it to her as her tribute Token. In the book, the pin is given to her by Madge Undersee. This would thus mean that if Madge didn't give Katniss the pin in the first place, it would imply that Maysille Donner, the original owner of the Mockingjay pin, never exsisted.
 * Haymitch's hair, while described as Seam-style black in the book, is blond in the movie.
 * Effie Trinket's reaping suit, described as spring green in the book, is pink in the movie.
 * In the film, every tribute's uniform was the same. However, in the book, all 24 tributes were wearing different-colored jackets, to distinguish the tributes from every district.
 * In the book, Katniss mentions in the Training Center that she and Peeta were the only ones wearing the same outfit, while in the movie, every tribute wears the same uniform.
 * In the book, Katniss states that the hovercraft arrive soundlessly while in the film, one is seen arriving noisily in the forest in District 12.
 * In the book, Katniss and Gale's eyes are said to be the normal Seam grey. Although in the film, they appear blue.
 * In the novel, Katniss describes her sister, Prim, as having blue eyes, yet in the film's trailer they are brown.
 * Effie Trinket has a pink wig on the 74th Hunger Games reaping. In the film's trailer her hair is white.
 * In the book, Clove is described as being big, healthy, and fit. And when she attacked Katniss at the Feast, Katniss said she was heavy. Though in the movie's trailer, she is very petite and lanky.
 * When Katniss and Peeta are talking on the roof in the book, she is said to be wearing a "...thick, fleecy nightgown...". Though in the movie trailer, she is wearing a light jacket and a skirt.
 * Peeta's eyes are said to be blue, but in the trailer they are green.
 * In Katniss' interview, she is supposed to be wearing a dress entirely covered in reflective precious gems, red and yellow and white with bits of blue that accent the tips of the flame design, but in the trailer, she is wearing a simple one shoulder red dress.

Motion poster
Motionposter

Teaser trailer
The Hunger Games: First Teaser Trailer Pvyn86hObLw The very first teaser trailer for the film was revealed during the 2011 Video Music Awards. The teaser shows Katniss Everdeen strolling the woods, over Gale's voice over, as she tries to avoid fireballs being hurled at her during the Games. Katniss then readies her bow and fires a shot that turned out to be the arrow for the film's logo. Rue's four note tone can be heard at the end.

First theatrical trailer
The Hunger Games Theatrical Trailer 1 p-5ANq4sAL0 The first full length trailer debuted on iTunes Trailers with a simulcast on ABC's Good Morning America. The trailer shows Katniss and Gale hunting in the District 12 woods as a hovercraft appears above them. It also shows Prim being reaped and Katniss volunteering to take her place. A quick shot of Katniss' travel to the Capitol is also seen. After their arrival, Katniss is shown on a bed where she is being prepared for the interviews by her prep team and Cinna, her stylist. The tributes from the other districts are shown preparing for the Games along with Katniss being introduced to the crowds by Caesar Flickerman. The scene where Katniss is lifted to the Arena platform is being televised all over Panem. The trailer concludes as the tributes run towards the Cornucopia. Rue's four note tone can be heard in the end.

Second theatrical trailer
The Hunger Games Theatrical Trailer 2 qoUT7q2iTbQ The trailer starts with Katniss giving Prim the mockingjay pin. President Snow greets the crowd and Effie draws Prim's name and Katniss volunteers. The trailer also put focus on Caesar Flickerman's interview with Katniss, the race to the Cournocopia and Katniss' and Peeta's talk. The trailer ends with Cinna showing Katniss the mockingjay pin attached to her suit before she is sent to the Arena. Rue's four note tone can be heard in the end.

Sequel
A sequel for the currently unreleased film has been announced.