#FinnickWatch2012: It's not Taylor Kitsch

#FinnickWatch2012 UPDATE!! Apparently Taylor Kitsch will not be in the running for the role of Finnick in Catching Fire:

"Not going to happen," the 31-year-old actor wrote in an email on Wednesday. Kitsch, who is coming off the poor box office performance of the big-budget films "John Carter" and "Battleship," would seem to have fit the bill for the athletic, good-looking character.
As for "The Lone Ranger" star Hammer and "TRON: Legacy" lead Hedlund, the studio behind the franchise, Lionsgate, said it would not confirm, deny or comment on any casting in progress.

Source: LA Times

Let's hope we get some more developments soon!

MTV Movie Awards: #VoteKatniss for Best Hero!

We cannot stress this enough, people: VOTE FOR KATNISS!!

The MTV Movie Awards rolled out a new category recently: Best Hero!

All you gotta do is tweet your vote, which you can do by clicking the link:

#VOTEKATNISS

#VOTEKATNISS

#VOTEKATNISS

#VOTEKATNISS

#VOTEKATNISS

#VOTEKATNISS 

If you wanna see just how much in second place we are, head over HERE

VOTE! VOTE!

UPDATED! Real or Not Real? Finnick Fan Favorites Make it to the Final Rounds

It's quite possible that this may be more than just a rumor, but E! Online reported yesterday that Armie Hammer, Taylor Kitsch, and Garret Hedlund are the top three choices being considered for the highly coveted role of Finnick Odair. Here's what E! Online had to say:

A source tells us at that the top three names being bantered about right now are Armie Hammer, Taylor Kitsch and Garrett Hedlund.
The source also says that a final decision from the studio may be announced as early as this week.
However, another source says the studio may also be looking at unknowns à la Brad Pitt in Thelma & Louise.
Filming is scheduled to begin in the fall with Francis Lawrence taking over the directing reigns from Gary Ross.
Catching Fire will be released on Nov. 22, 2013.

Read the full article HERE 

If this indeed is true, I would have to give an enormous round of applause to Lionsgate and those listening to fan choices for Finnick. Taylor Kitsch I've heard been mentioned among fans, but over the past year, at least in our experience, the battle for the role of Finnick has always been between Armie Hammer and Garret Hedlund. Both near perfect choices in my opinion, it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Who knows? Maybe it's neither and Taylor Kitsch will come out on top. OR, as E! Online has reported, perhaps they really are looking for an unknown!

 UPDATED!! Zap2it is reporting that they are still auditioning for the role, and the three actors are not the only ones being considered. We figured as much, just because Lionsgate may be eyeing the three actors mentioned above, doesn't mean they aren't considering others, and like E! Online said, they are indeed considering an unknown, at least according to these two articles.

Here's what Zap2it had to say:

E! Online reports that Kitsch, Hammer and Hedlund are the names Lionsgate wants, but Zap2it's source says nobody's in the lead just yet considering talks only began on Tuesday (May 29). Actors are still reading for the role, and the studio is strongly considering bringing in an unknown to avoid ego clashes on set. It's easy to understand the mix-up -- someone probably got their hands on the confidential memo going around that reveals the three men are currently on the shortlist of dudes we'd love to marry in a fantasy dream world. (Honestly, any list with those three guys on it is a win-win-win situation.)

The scenes the actors are reportedly reading for the role include the sugar cube scene where Finnick first meets Katniss and the scene where he hears Annie's scream.

 Read the full article HERE

Well how 'bout that?! A little tidbit of new information on how exactly the Finnick auditions are going as well.

Whatever the case, if all this truly is real, my mind has exploded knowing that the studio is actually considering the actors that the fans have been clamoring for. Real or Not Real?

#HungerGamesDVD Countdown!

Check it out! The Hunger Games Facebook page has started their countdown to the release of the DVD, and every week there will be a challenge! Here's what they just posted:

To celebrate The Hunger Games DVD / Blu-Ray release, we are starting a weekly countdown where you can win prizes! Each week we will provide you with a different mission to create fan art.

For this week, the theme is the Mockingjay. Your submission must include the hashtag #HungerGamesDVD, as well as the text "11 Weeks and Counting". Email your work to HungerGamesDVDCountdown@gmail.com and next week we will post submissions in our album and announce the winner each Friday. You could win some of these great prizes!

Don't forget your image must include the hashtag #HungerGamesDVD, and FOR THIS WEEK "11 Weeks and Counting"!


Check it out HERE

Good luck!!

#HungerGamesDVD Preorder Roundup PLUS Win a Trip to Catching Fire Premiere!

Today is the day you can order The Hunger Games on Blu-Ray/DVD! If you'd like to do so directly from Lionsgate, click HERE!! The DVD is $30.98 and the Blu-Ray is $20.98.

Before we get into the pre-order round up, check out what Wal-Mart is offering with purchase of their special DVD:

 You can check out that pre-order page HERE. If you do so, you should receive an email with your contest code and instructions within 72 hours.


Thanks to our friends at Down With The Capitol, they have compiled a list of all other DVD pre-orders available right now, some stores with other exciting versions!

Target:

• 2 Disc DVD + Digital Copy: $18.99
• 2 Disc Blu-Ray + Digital Copy:  $22.99
• The Hunger Games – Target Exclusive 3-Disc Deluxe Limited Edition DVD: $21.99 — Bonus Disc contains 45 minutes of additional features.
• The Hunger Games – Target Exclusive 3-Disc Deluxe Limited Edition Blu-ray: $24.99

Walmart:

• 2 Disc DVD + Digital Copy: $18.96
• 2 Disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy: $22.96
• Walmart Exclusive DVD + Digital Copy + VUDU Bonus Content + Mockingjay Pendant $22.96
• Walmart Exclusive Blu-ray + Digital Copy + VUDU Bonus Content + Mockingjay Pendant $26.96

Barnes & Noble*

• 2 Disc DVD + Digital Copy: $21.69
• 2 Disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy: $27.99
• ?? DVD: $26.49 (no information is given, but it looks like B&N may have it’s own special edition?  We’ll keep watch.)

*while supplies last receive a 30 X 40 cloth poster of Katniss with purchase.
Amazon

• 2 Disc DVD + Digital Copy: $21.69
• 2 Disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy: $27.99

Best Buy:

• 2 Disc DVD + Digital Copy: $19.99
• 2 Disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy: $24.99

FYE (in-store only pre-order)
2 disc DVD + digital copy – $15.99 (after $7 mail-in rebate)
2 disc Blu-Ray + digital copy – $19.99 (after $7 mail-in rebate)
* Free Hunger Games tote bag with purchase.

You can check out Down With the Capitol's full post HERE.

Happy Pre-Ordering!!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire!

 

Comingsoon.net is reporting that Lionsgate announced the title of Catching Fire will be "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

Lionsgate has announced a minor title change for the second part of their blockbuster franchise. Formerly titled Catching Fire, the Francis Lawrence-directed sequel to this year's The Hunger Games will now be called The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

This makes total sense as the audience needs to connect "Catching Fire" with "The Hunger Games" for those not familiar with the books.

Source: ComingSoon.net

Press Release for The Hunger Games Blu-Ray/DVD!

Check out the press release! Interesting details!

Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games Arrives On Blu-ray Disc, DVD, On Demand And Digital Download On August 18

Theatrical Release Approaching $400 Million At North American Box Office And $650 Million Worldwide

Midnight Launch Expected To Bring Back Lines of Avid Fans At Midnight Retail Events Nationwide

“We have a winner.”

      – Rolling Stone

 

SANTA MONICA, CA, May 23, 2012 –Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games juggernaut will arrive on home entertainment at 12:01 A.M. on Saturday, August 18, as the first film in Lionsgate’s (NYSE: LGF) The Hunger Games franchise, which has already grossed nearly $400 million at the North American box office and is approaching $650 million at the worldwide box office, debuts on 2-disc DVD (plus digital copy), 2-disc Blu-Ray (plus digital copy), VOD and digital download with three hours of previously unavailable bonus materials in the biggest home entertainment launch in Lionsgate’s history, the Company announced today.

The film, based on the New York Times best-selling novel from writer Suzanne Collins, achieved a remarkable four-week run as the #1 film at the North American theatrical box office where it has already grossed $392 million, ranking as the 14^th highest-grossing film of all time, and it is approaching $650 million at the worldwide box office with an early June opening slated in China.

The 2-disc Blu-ray and 2-disc DVD arrive loaded with over three hours of extensive bonus materials including the comprehensive eight-part documentary, “The World is Watching: Making of The Hunger Games.” Other special features include a sit-down conversation with director Gary Ross as well as numerous featurettes that examine the global success of the books, the creation of the control room in the film and the filmmakers’ motivation behind creating new scenes that were not in the book plus much more.  The Blu-ray Disc set contains an additional exclusive feature, “Preparing for the Games: A Director’s Process,” which looks at the progression of taking three key scenes from the book to the screen. The Hunger Games Blu-ray Disc and DVD is a must-have film that is hailed as “exciting and thought-provoking in a way few adventure dramas ever are” (New York Daily News).  Fans will be able to pre-order the Blu-ray Disc and DVD, starting on Friday, May 25^th, for $39.99 and $30.98, respectively.

“The motion picture event of the year is poised to become the home entertainment event of the year and, with a midnight launch and midnight retail events scheduled at stores around the country, we expect to replicate the same level of consumer excitement generated by the film’s theatrical debut,” said Ron Schwartz, Lionsgate Executive Vice President & General Manager, Home Entertainment.  “This is far and away the biggest home entertainment launch in Lionsgate’s history and, true to a theatrical marketing campaign that incorporated an unprecedented reliance on digital and traditional media alike, our home entertainment launch will involve a similarly innovative and integrated digital and packaged media rollout that we will unveil in the weeks ahead.”

Directed by Academy Award^® nominee Gary Ross (Seabiscuit), The Hunger Games, starring Academy Award^® nominee Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone), features an ensemble cast that includes Golden Globe^® winner Donald Sutherland (Citizen X), Academy Award^® nominee Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), Academy Award^® nominee Woody Harrelson (The People vs. Larry Flynt), Lenny Kravitz (Precious) and Emmy^® nominee Elizabeth Banks (TV’s “30 Rock”). The film also stars some of the industry’s brightest up and coming actors such as Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right) and Liam Hemsworth (The Expendables 2). 

The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy of books published by Scholastic that has already become a literary phenomenon with over 36.5 million copies in circulation.  Set in the future, one male and one female from each of the twelve districts of the nation is forced to participate in the annual competition called The Hunger Games, which is broadcast live throughout the country for the entertainment of the Capitol’s wealthy residents. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) volunteers in her younger sister’s place to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy when she’s pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives.  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.

BLU-RAY & DVD SPECIAL FEATURES^*

·   “The World is Watching: Making of The Hunger Games” – an eight-part documentary covering the “making of” the film in all aspects from the pre-production process all the way through the theatrical release and fan reactions

·   “Game Maker: Suzanne Collins and The Hunger Games Phenomenon” featurette

·    “Letters from the Rose Garden” featurette – insights from Donald Sutherland on the development of his role as President Snow

·   “Controlling the Games” featurette – stories and concepts behind creating the control center

·   “A Conversation with Gary Ross and Elvis Mitchell”

·   Propaganda Film (in its entirety)

·   Marketing Archive

·   “Preparing for The Games: A Director’s Process” (Blu-ray Exclusive)

* Subject to change

*** For artwork, please visit www.lionsgatepublicity.com ***

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Year of Production: 2012

Title Copyright: © 2012 Lionsgate Films Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Type: Theatrical Release

Rating: PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images- all involving teens

Genre: Action/Adventure

Blu-ray Closed Captioned: English SDH

DVD Closed Captioned: English

Subtitles: English and Spanish

Blu-ray Format: 1080P High Definition 16x9 Widescreen (2.40:1)

DVD Format: 16x9 Widescreen (2.40:1)

Feature Running Time: 142 minutes

Blu-ray Audio Status: English 7.1 DTS HD-MA, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Optimized for Late Night Listening and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio

DVD Audio Status: English 5.1 Dolby Digital EX, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Optimized for Late Night Listening and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

To experience The Hunger Games online, please visit:

Official Website: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie

Official Twitter Page: @TheHungerGames  #HungerGamesDVD

Lastly, check out the trailer!

BREAKING! THG on Blu-Ray/DVD August 18th!

...aaaaand we're back!

It's been 2 weeks since we last posted (We've been busy!) and glad to deliver this news to you:

2 DISC DVD AND BLU-RAY TO BE RELEASED AT MIDNIGHT AUGUST 18TH!!

Lionsgate kicks off its official 12-week countdown to the release on Friday, May 25, when the Blu-ray and DVD will become available for pre-order. EW is helping with the celebration by hosting the exclusive premiere of the trailer, embedded below:

The two-disc set will include over three hours of unreleased material, with features that provide insight into how the film was made, interviews with the cast and crew, and details about some of the story lines that differed from the book -- like President Snow's character (Donald Sutherland) and the role of the game maker (Wes Bentley). An eight-part documentary entitled The World is Watching: Making of The Hunger Games delves into the behind-the-scenes aspect of creating the film. The extras also include the full-length "Propaganda Film" shown during the Reaping.
By releasing the Blu-Ray/DVD at midnight, Lionsgate hopes to recapture the excitement from the midnight theatrical screening back in March. “The motion picture event of the year is poised to become the home entertainment event of the year, and with a midnight launch and midnight retail events scheduled at stores around the country, we expect to replicate the same level of consumer excitement generated by the film’s theatrical debut,” said Ron Schwartz, Lionsgate Executive Vice President & General Manager, Home Entertainment.

Read the rest over at EW.com and check out the the trailer!

Source: Entertainment Weekly


I think the internet may have wet their collective pants. Three hours of glorious footage!! That was the best case scenario for the DVD, but Tiffany and I were predicting it would be much less 3 hours. Kudos to you, Lionsgate!! The fans asked, and you delivered. Thank you!

Happy Birthday Katniss!

Happy May 8th! May we celebrate this fine day in honor of the future victor and symbol of the rebellion, Katniss Everdeen!

Last night, Fireside Chat hosts Adam Spunberg and Savanna New made us ponder how Katniss would have spent her day of birth, besides of course the oh so happy collecting of tesserae. Um.......woo hoo?

Anyway, I think it's safe to say she would spend the day hunting with Gale since that seems to be where she is happiest. But what about post-Mockingjay Katniss? Twitter-ites discussing the #HGFiresideChat last night came up with some rad ideas such as eat cheese buns all day, which sounds like a pretty sweet birthday to me.

But seriously, let's really take a second to appreciate the appearance of the most inspiring and all around awesomeness that is the newest heroine in town. When I finished reading the books, I had already put Katniss in the ranks with Wonder Woman, Princess Leia, Lara Croft, Buffy, and well,  you get the idea. In such a materialistic society, here is a character whose best skill is survival and supporting her family at age 16. She's a badass without any kind of thought that she is a badass. She can be a little socially awkward just like the rest of us, and despite setting up a million walls to protect herself, still maintains her human ability to love even in the romantic sense. But don't stop there!! I have admired Katniss for one MAJOR thing, I think to be the most important of all in the current young adult trends: Katniss needs no man. Notice how she doesn't end up with either Gale or Peeta until everything is over? That's because there are far more important things than having a boyfriend. Katniss' relationship or "love triangle"(if you would even call it that) is the B storyline in the trilogy, not the A. It takes a backseat until just about the last page in the book. So suck on that, Twilight.*

It is for these reasons today we are saluting the coolest and newest heroine in town, Katniss Everdeen! May she be remembered for generations to come!

What are you fans out there doing to celebrate?!

 #HappyBirthdayKatniss

*Yea, I said it.

Michael Arndt in Talks to Re-Write 'Catching Fire' Draft

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Michael Arndt, who won an Oscar for his Little Miss Sunshine screenplay and penned Toy Story 3, is in talks with Lionsgate to work on the high-profile sequel to The Hunger Games, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

...

The sequel is barreling toward a late-summer production start. While Lionsgate doesn't yet have a deal with Arndt, if he signs on, he will have to work double-time to get the script ready due to a squeezed schedule caused by star Jennifer Lawrence’s commitment to Fox’s X-Men: First Class sequel. That tight schedule was one reason Ross declined to take on the project.

Wait we thought Simon Beaufoy was writing the screenplay? Well, he wrote the initial drafts, which have been finished for a while since Suzanne Collins had said she'd received them around March, and screenplays typically go through quite a lot of rewrites. For The Hunger Games, Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins had done the rewrites together (initial drafts done by Billy Ray), but due to time constraints and not having Gary (Francis Lawrence does not have professional screenwriting experience), it makes sense to have yet another Oscar-winning screenwriter work on the script. Hopefully Suzanne has sent over some notes (at the very least). There isn't a lot of time left before filming is due to start!

It's Official: Francis Lawrence Will Be Directing Catching Fire!

WOO! IT'S OFFICIAL!!

Here's what Francis had to say to the fans:

"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

-From the Hunger Games Facebook

Check out the press release:

FRANCIS LAWRENCE TO DIRECT CATCHING FIRE

‘Hunger Games’ Sequel To Open In Theaters Everywhere On November 22, 2013

SANTA MONICA, CA (May 3, 2012) - LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global
entertainment company, announced today that Francis 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.

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.


Good luck, Francis Lawrence!

I Bid You Stand, Tributes! MTV Movie Award Voting Begins!

Oh yea, IT IS ON.

 The Hunger Games has snagged EIGHT (count 'em) EIGHT MTV Movie Award nominations. These include Movie of the Year, Best Kiss, Best Female Performance, Best Male Performance, Best On-Screen Transformation, Best Fight, Best Cast, and Breakthrough Performance. Voting ends Saturday, June 2nd, with the exception of Movie of the Year which will remain open until the show starts the following day.

GET VOTING HERE!

Now hurry up and vote people, before I have to get into my Aragorn speech.


Source: MTV

The Hunger Games Adventures Presents WE ARE PANEM!

Check it out, Hunger Games adventurers!


We Are Panem is the newest Hunger Games Adventures interaction, allowing Facebookers to share their individual stories of their HGA characters. Let your mind run wild with the possibilites and share them with the We Are Panem Facebook page! Every week they will pick the "Hero of the Week", whoever has the best story and will be shared on the HGA welcome screen.

We Are Panem Facebook Page