Catching Fire Director is Francis Lawrence, Actors with Major Roles in the Hunger Games Reprise their Roles - An Official Press Release From Lionsgate

An official release from Lionsgate about Francis Lawrence's involvement in the Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire (November 23, 2013). Read on.

LIONSGATE, a leading global entertainment company, announced today that Francis Lawrence (not related to Jennifer Lawrence) has officially signed on to direct CATCHING FIRE, the sequel to THE HUNGER GAMES, based on the second in a series of books by Suzanne Collins that has 36 million copies in circulation in the US alone. The announcement was made by Lionsgate's Motion Picture Group Co-Chairmen Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman.

Francis Lawrence

Lawrence, who is represented by CAA and 3 Arts Entertainment, has experience directing films that make him uniquely suited to handle the blend of character driven drama and high stakes action of CATCHING FIRE; among them are I AM LEGEND, CONSTANTINE, and WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.

"Lionsgate, the cast, and filmmakers are all thrilled to have Francis Lawrence come on board as director of Catching Fire. Suzanne's brilliant book is the intense story of the birth of the rebellion and Katniss' emotionally charged journey as she takes on the mantle of the Mockingjay, and we all think Francis is the perfect director to bring the story to life," said Erik Feig, Lionsgate's President Of Production.

"From the very beginning of this brilliant trilogy's journey from page to screen, our first priority has been to stay true to the heart and soul of Suzanne Collins' powerful stories. From my first conversation with Francis, I knew he would make a great partner for both me and Suzanne. His passion for Catching Fire and inspired ideas for a faithful adaptation make him the perfect director for this movie. I know this will be a wonderful collaboration and I cannot wait to get started," echoed producer Nina Jacobson.

Said Francis:

"It is truly an honor and a privilege to bring Catching Fire, the second chapter of Suzanne's beloved trilogy, to the big screen. I fell in love with the characters, the themes and the world she created and this chapter opens all of these elements up in such a thrilling, emotional and surprising way. I can't wait to dive right into it and bring this chapter to life along with the truly superb cast and filmmakers involved."

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth will reprise their roles as Katniss, Peeta and Gale, with Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, and Woody Harrelson also returning to their respective roles. The film will be produced by Jacobson's Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Production is slated to begin this Fall, and the film will be released on November 22, 2013.

THE HUNGER GAMES has broken many box office records since it opened on March 23, 2012. It achieved the highest grossing opening weekend ever for any non-sequel film and the third biggest opening weekend in box office history. It has already grossed $373 million at the North American box office, ranking in the top 20 films of all time, and it recently crossed the $600 million mark in worldwide box office.

And at the official Facebook Page of the Hunger Games movie, Francis Lawrence has a special message for us.

"Hello fellow Hunger Games fans!  I just want you all to know how unbelievably excited and honored I am to be a part of Catching Fire.  At the end of the day, all of the work that I put in to my movies is for you -- the fans. Make sure to post and let me know what you’re most excited to see in this adaptation as we aim to make something truly faithful and spectacular!" - Francis Lawrence

Join the discussion here. See you there.

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Catching Fire Fan Fave Cast for Finnick Jesse Williams Speaks with E!

An article from E on their interview with Jesse Williams, who is one of fan favorites to play Finnick (not me). Read on and tell me what do you think of him playing Finnick.

We've got a director (that'd be Francis Lawrence, taking over where Gary Ross left off), a release date (Thanksgiving 2013!) and huge expectations for the Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire.

Especially when it comes to casting Finnick Odair, a new face that will be joining Jennifer Lawrence in the second installment! And while a million names have been tossed out to play the tortured heartthrob (Armie Hammer! Taylor Kitsch!), one fan favorite is Grey's Anatomy's Jesse Williams.

So what does the sparkling-eyed TV star think of the big-screen gig?!

"I have heard that! I've seen a lot of that on Twitter," Jesse told us when we asked him if he'd caught wind of the fan campaign. "I didn't know what the heck a Finnick was when I was getting a lot of the questions about it."

Didn't know what a Finnick was?! Where the heck has he been?!

It's only the most anticipated casting since, well, Peeta, probably! And while we were previously rooting for Friday Night Light's Kitsch to earn his box-office redemption—after John Carter bombed…hard—we think Jesse is more than hot enough to step into Finnick's Tribute shoes.

Plus, he charmed our pants off in Cabin in the Woods, so we think he has the chops to pull it off.

"I've since been educated, and that's fun. People are really, really excited about it," Williams explained about his casting potential. "There's a website that's dedicated to it—Jesse for Finnick. It's kind of taking on a mind of its own. People are creative about that kind of stuff, and now I'll try to figure out if that's something that's interesting to me."

Uh, spoiler alert, Jess, it should interest you. The first movie only made a bajillion dollars, and we expect the next two (or three, if they end up splitting Mockingjay into two flicks) will make even more than that.

Not to mention getting to rub elbows with Oscar nominees like J.Law or wear sexy fishnet-inspired outfits.

"It certainly is a big, successful project, and I read the first book, which was great," he revealed to us. "In this day and age, I think it matters what the fans think and they envision certain things."

Well grab a copy of Catching Fire ASAP, Jesse, and get your envisioning on. Because Francis Lawrence will be picking his Finnick soon and your fans are more than ready to serve you up on a silver platter.

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Reelz Channel Goes on ‘The Hunger Games’ Fan Tour

Reelz Channel visited ‘The Hunger Games’ filming location in North Carolina.

Here are the tour packages available on HungerGamesFanTours.com.

Two types of Day Tours: Day Tours by Shuttle and Day Walking Tours.

Day Tours by Shuttle:

Travel deep into DuPont State Forest to see all the filming locations used in the movie. This day tour includes shuttle service, your guides, survival workshops and lunch (Hunger Games style).10am-2pm. These tours are limited to 28 guests per tour.

Parking/Orientation Location: Comporium Parking Lot Main Street across from the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce (190 East Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712)

Pre-registration required. The cost is $79 per person.

Dates: May 26, May 27, July 14, July 15, Aug. 11, Aug. 12

Day Walking Tours:

Our Day Walking Tours will take you on a hiking tour of the primary filming locations. Hear all the stories behind the filming locations, participate in survival workshops, enjoy a lunch (Hunger Games style) with us. This tour takes approximately 4 to 4 1/2 hours and involves moderate hiking.

Day Walking Tours are held on most Saturdays from May – early November.

May 5, June 2, June 30, July 7, July 21, Aug. 4, Aug. 18, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, and Nov. 3.

Parking/Orientation Location: Hooker Falls Parking Lot in DuPont State Recreational Forest.

Pre-registration required. The cost is $50 per person. These tours are from 10am – 3pm.

The Hunger Games Fan Tour Adventure Weekend

Hunger Games Weekend includes: three days and two nights stay at Earthshine Mountain Lodge, 6 Hunger Games meals, Hunger Games snacks, guides, all Hunger Games skill training, Night Zip Lining and your Hunger Games Simulation. Shuttle service to and from the Asheville Regional Airport is included.

Cost: $389 per person. Note: There is a $2 ticketing process fee from Ticketleap, our ticket service. Weekend adventures are limited to 28 guests per tour.

April 27 – 29, June 8 – 10, June 22 – 24, July 27 – 29, August 24-26, September 21 – 23

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VIDEO: Josh Hutcherson Says The Hunger Games Hasn’t Changed His Life

 Check out the video above of Josh speaking with LA Times reporter Amy Kaufman at CinemaCon 2012.

You would think being in a film that has grossed over $600 million in ticket sales WORLDWIDE would change a person. But Josh Hutcherson says the fame from the first Hunger Games film hasn’t affected his personal life.

“Everyone was telling me that my whole world was going to change and I couldn’t go anywhere or it’d be too crazy.”

How does Hutcherson handle the spotlight and being followed by the paparazzi?

“I think sometimes when people get in the spotlight, they feel like they have to act and behave a certain way to live up to what people expect of them,” he said. “For me, I’m just going to be myself and live my life the way I’m going to. I’m not going to let paparazzi determine the way I live.”

With Catching Fire starting to film this August Hutcherson has yet to speak with Francis Lawrence, who is taking the place of director from Gary Ross.

“I have heard from literally everyone that he’s the nicest man alive, so I’m really excited to work with him,” Hutcherson said, adding that he’s a big fan of Lawrence’s “I Am Legend” but has yet to watch the filmmaker’s most recent movie, “Water for Elephants.”

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Hunger Games' Elizabeth Banks Says Catching Fire Director Is "Going to Be Great for the Franchise"

From E!

We already know that Josh Hutcherson is "really excited" to work with Francis Lawrence, the director recently selected to replace Gary Ross to helm The Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire.

But how does Elizabeth Banks, who plays flamboyant chaperone Effie Trinket, feel about having a completely different person shouting "action"?

"I have no idea," Banks admitted to E! News at the Lucky Magazine Fashion and Beauty Blog Conference on Monday night. "I've never met Francis."

However, the actress was quick to add that "he seems lovely and I like his movies."

Lawrence is the man behind such flicks as Constantine, I Am Legend and Water for Elephants.

"I'm really excited for a new voice to be involved," Banks said. "I think it's going to be great for the franchise, so I'm excited. That's really all I know. I'm actually very excited about it."

Cameras are scheduled to start rolling on Catching Fire this fall.

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Hunger Games Movie Animated GIF - Katniss and Peeta's Moments in the Cave

Here is a set of animated pics (GIF) from http://maytheoddsbesafeandsound.tumblr.com/. It features the sweet moments between Katniss and Peeta in the cave. Enjoy.

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The Hunger Games Secures 8 Nominations at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards Including Movie of the Year and Best Kiss

Good news Hunger Games fans! Our favorite movie was able to secure eight nominations out of the 12 categories at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards. Isn't that amazing? That's how big and viral the Hunger Games is! Anyway, here is a press release from MTV. 

Who's already excited for the 2012 MTV Movie Awards?

We've already announced that chart-topping indie-pop group Fun. will rock the Movie Awards stage with a performance toasting the greatest party films of all time, plus the addition of five excellent and intriguing new categories: Best Music, Best On-Screen Transformation, Best Gut-Wrenching Performance, Best Cast and Best On-Screen Dirtbag. What more could you ask for?

How about the list of this year's lucky nominees who will by battling it out for the coveted Golden Popcorn trophy live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday, June 3? Fan voting opens in all categories Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Here they are, in all their eclectic, well-deserved glory: the 2012 MTV Movie Award Nominees!

Movie of the Year
» "Bridesmaids"
» "The Hunger Games"
» "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» "The Help"
» "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1"

vote the Hunger Games as Movie of the Year at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards

Best Male Performance
» Daniel Radcliffe, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» Ryan Gosling, "Drive"
» Joseph Gordon-Levitt, "50/50"
» Josh Hutcherson, "The Hunger Games"
» Channing Tatum, "The Vow"

vote Josh Hutcherson of the Hunger Games as Best Male Performance at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards

Best Female Performance
» Jennifer Lawrence, "The Hunger Games"
» Kristin Wiig, "Bridesmaids"
» Emma Stone, "Crazy, Stupid, Love"
» Emma Watson, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

vote Jennifer Lawrence of the Hunger Games as the Best Female Performance at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards

Best Comedic Performance
» Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
» Kristen Wiig, "Bridesmaids"
» Zach Galifianakis, "The Hangover Part II"
» Jonah Hill, "21 Jump Street"
» Oliver Cooper, "Project X"

Breakthrough Performance
» Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
» Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
» Liam Hemsworth, "The Hunger Games"
» Elle Fanning, "Super 8"
» Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants"

vote Liam Hemsworth of the Hunger Games as the Best Breakthrough Performance at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards

Best Cast
» "Bridesmaids"
» "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» "The Hunger Games"
» "21 Jump Street"
» "The Help"

vote the Hunger Games as Best Cast at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards

Best On-Screen Transformation
» Elizabeth Banks, "The Hunger Games"
» Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
» Johnny Depp, "21 Jump Street"
» Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"
» Colin Farrell, "Horrible Bosses"

vote Elizabeth Banks of the Hunger Games as Best On-Screen Transformation at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards

Best Fight
» Daniel Radcliffe vs. Ralph Fiennes, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson vs. Alexander Ludwig, "The Hunger Games"
» Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill vs. Kid Gang, "21 Jump Street"
» Tom Hardy vs. Joel Edgerton, "Warrior"
» Tom Cruise vs. Michelle Nyqvist, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"

vote Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Alexander Ludwig of the Hunger Games as the Best Fight at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards

Best Kiss
» Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, "Crazy, Stupid, Love"
» Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, "The Hunger Games"
» Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, "The Vow"
» Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1"

vote Jennifer Lawrene and Josh Hutcherson of the Hunger Games as the Best Kiss at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards

Best Gut-Wrenching Performance
» "Bridesmaids" (Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McClendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper)
» "The Help" (Bryce Dallas Howard)
» "21 Jump Street" (Jonah Hill and Rob Riggle)
» "Drive" (Ryan Gosling)
» "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" (Tom Cruise)

Best On-Screen Dirt Bag
» Bryce Dallas Howard, "The Help"
» Jon Hamm, "Bridesmaids"
» Jennifer Aniston, "Horrible Bosses"
» Colin Farrell, "Horrible Bosses"
» Oliver Cooper, "Project X"

Best Music
» "Party Rock Anthem," LMFAO ("21 Jump Street")
» "A Real Hero," College with Electric Youth ("Drive")
» "The Devil Is in the Details," Chemical Brothers ("Hanna")
» "Impossible," Figurine ("Like Crazy")
» "Pursuit of Happiness," Kid Cudi (Steve Aoki remix) ("Project X") 

I'm just saddened to know that Taylor Swift's "Safe and Sound" didn't make it at the Best Music nomination. But it's okay, having 8 nominations is already a big thing right? Spread the news and vote for the Hunger Games at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards.

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