The Hunger Games (film)

The Hunger Games
Promotional poster
Directed by	Gary Ross
Produced by	Jon Kilik Nina Jacobson Suzanne Collins
Screenplay by	Suzanne Collins
Based on	The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Starring	Jennifer Lawrence Josh Hutcherson Liam Hemsworth Woody Harrelson Elizabeth Banks Lenny Kravitz Stanley Tucci Donald Sutherland Willow Shields
Music by	James Newton Howard T-Bone Burnett
Cinematography	Tom Stern
Studio	Color Force
Distributed by	Lionsgate
Release date(s)	March 23, 2012 (2012-03-23) (Wide) March 22, 2012 (2012-03-22) (Australia)
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$100 million^[1]

The Hunger Games is an upcoming science fiction action drama film directed by Gary Ross and is based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins. It stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Woody Harrelson.^[2] It is scheduled to be released on March 23, 2012.^[3]

1 Plot
2 Cast
3 Casting
4 Production
5 Music
- 5.1 Soundtrack
- 5.2 Score
6 Sequel
7 References
8 External links

Plot

In the ruins of what was once North America, the nation Panem randomly chooses one boy and girl, ages 12-18, from each of the 12 districts to risk their lives in the Hunger Games, a ruthless competition in which each contestant, or tribute, tries to kill the others until only one remains. The winner receives honor, gifts, and enough food and supplies to never worry for anything material again. The Games, while entertainment for the Capitol's citizens, are a yearly reminder to the 12 districts of the 13th district's unsuccessful rebellion 74 years ago.

In District 12, sixteen year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) cares for her mother and sister Primrose "Prim" (Willow Shields) since her father died in a mine accident when she was 11. Since the age of 12, Katniss has put her name in the lottery, or reaping, more than once. In return, she receives extra grain and oil for her family. In addition, Katniss has been illegally hunting for food outside the gates of District 12 with her friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth), whose father died in the same mining accident as Katniss' and similarly cares for his family.

Prim, now age 12, has her name placed in the reaping for the first time—only once—and is chosen to compete in the Games. Katniss volunteers to replace her sister. She competes with other tributes, including trained "Career Tributes" who have prepared for the Games their entire lives, as well as Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), the boy tribute from District 12, who has secretly loved Katniss since childhood. Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), a drunk and the only living victor from District 12, mentors both Katniss and Peeta Mellark before and during the Hunger Games.

Cast

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen^[4]
Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark^[5]
Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy^[6]
Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen^[7]
Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne^[5]
Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket^[8]
Lenny Kravitz as Cinna^[9]
Paula Malcomson as Mrs. Everdeen^[10]
Amandla Stenberg as Rue^[11]
Alexander Ludwig as Cato^[12]
Dayo Okeniyi as Thresh^[11]
Isabelle Fuhrman as Clove^[12]
Jacqueline Emerson as Foxface^[13]
Leven Rambin as Glimmer^[14]
Jack Quaid as Marvel^[14]
Donald Sutherland as President Snow^[15]
Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman^[16]
Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane^[17]
Latarsha Rose as Portia^[18]

Casting

Lionsgate confirmed in March 2011 that about 30 actresses either met or read for the role of Katniss, including Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Emma Roberts, Saoirse Ronan, Chloë Moretz, Lyndsy Fonseca, Emily Browning, Shailene Woodley, and Kaya Scodelario.^[19] According to The Hollywood Reporter, contenders for the role of Peeta other than Hutcherson included Alexander Ludwig (who was later cast as Cato), Hunter Parrish, Lucas Till, and Evan Peters.^[20] Other actors considered for the role of Gale included David Henrie, Drew Roy, and Robbie Amell.^[20] In April 2011, John C. Reilly was in talks with Lionsgate to portray Haymitch Abernathy, former victor of a Hunger Games held years before and mentor to Katniss and Peeta.^[21] The following month Lionsgate announced that the role went to Woody Harrelson.^[6]

Production

Lionsgate Entertainment acquired worldwide distribution rights in March 2009 with Nina Jacobson's production company Color Force.^[22]^[23] Collins adapted the novel for film herself,^[23] and her script was revised by screenwriter Billy Ray.^[24] Collins anticipates the film to have a PG-13 rating.^[25] Alli Shearmur, Lionsgate President of Motion Picture Production, and Jim Miller, Lionsgate Senior Vice President of Motion Picture Production, are in charge of overseeing the production of the movie. Shearmur said:

"The Hunger Games is an incredible property and it is a thrill to bring it home to Lionsgate. This is exactly the kind of movie I came to Lionsgate to make: youthful, exciting, smart and edgy. We are looking forward to working with Nina and Suzanne to create a movie that satisfies audiences' hunger for high-quality entertainment."^[26]

Gary Ross became the director in November 2010.^[27]^[28] With an initial budget of $75 million,^[29] principal photography began in Burke County, North Carolina in Western North Carolina in May 2011^[30] and concluded on September 15, 2011 with a final budget of just under $100 million.^[1]^[31]

Lawrence dyed her blond hair brown for the part of Katniss.^[32] She also underwent extensive training to get in shape for the role, including archery, rock and tree climbing, combat, running, vaulting, and yoga.^[33]

Music

Soundtrack

The first single from the film's soundtrack, "Safe & Sound" by Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars, was released on December 23, 2011.^[34] It reached number one on the iTunes overall charts in 12 hours. The soundtrack will also feature songs by The Decemberists and Win Butler and Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire, as well as star Jennifer Lawrence singing "Rue's Lullaby".^[35]

Score

Lionsgate originally announced that Academy Award nominee Danny Elfman and Academy Award winner T-Bone Burnett would score The Hunger Games, with Burnett also acting as the film's executive music producer to produce songs for the soundtrack.^[36] However, due to scheduling conflicts, Elfman was later replaced by Academy Award nominee James Newton Howard.^[37]

Sequel

On August 8, 2011, while still shooting the film, Lionsgate announced that a film adaptation of the second novel in The Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire, is scheduled to be released on November 22, 2013.^[38] In November 2011, Lionsgate entered negotiations with Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours screenwriter Simon Beaufoy to adapt the novel for screen, since the post-production schedule for The Hunger Games is too crowded for Ross and Collins to adapt the next film as originally planned. Ross is still expected to return as director for the sequel.^[39]

Woody Harrelson revealed in an interview on MTV Movie Night that he has signed on for four films. This suggests that Mockingjay, the final book in the series, will be adapted into a two-part film.^[40]