With only three weeks to go until YA adaptation The Hunger Games hits theaters, Lionsgate has released the first actual clip from the Gary Ross-directed film, and it's a memorable moment Hunger Games fans should recognize: Forced to show off her skills for the Capitol's boorish, drunken Gamemakers -- the designers of the Games, headed by Wes Bentley's Seneca Crane -- Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) lets an arrow fly in an act of defiance that finally gets their attention.
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As The Hunger Games' March 23 release fast approaches, Lionsgate is churning out a steady stream of stills and goodies and tie-ins to stoke the fires of fandom and they've put a surprising bit of marketing muscle behind not only star Jennifer Lawrence, but co-star Elizabeth Banks and her supporting character, Effie Trinket. On second thought, maybe that's not so surprising; Effie's strikingly gaudy visual look, representative of image-obsessed Capitol culture in the fictional nation of Panem, offers more in the way of marketing opportunities than Katniss Everdeen's tomboy-turned-teen warrior ensembles.
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Next month brings the launch of The Hunger Games, one of the most-anticipated releases of the 2012 calendar and the first installment of a hopeful franchise based on Suzanne Collins's bestselling young-adult adventure trilogy. In selling their film, studio execs at Lionsgate have ramped up all manner of marketing to immerse fans in the experience — and, in doing so, have made the least-populated jursdiction on the planet a financial beneficiary.
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"What the box office success of the re-released Special Editions told Hollywood is that the only way to create another global phenomenon is to make a new STAR WARS movie. 1997 was the start of the modern-day fanboy/geek culture that now runs Hollywood. Fanboy culture (Comic-Con, Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games, The Lord of the Rings, J.J. Abrams, Joss Whedon, Marvel comics, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Glee, Aint-It-Cool-News, Attack of the Show) is a groupthink mentality that claims to be democratic, what with its we-know-what’s-best-because-we’re-fans ethic, but is really pop culture fascism. And it’s the fans’ demand (remember, fan is short for fanatic), that led to Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace — the most hyped (and possibly most reviled) blockbuster in movie history." [Some Came Running]
There are mere days left until Halloween, and you're still scrambling for a costume that reflects your savvy Movieline-reading film knowledge? The perfect outfit that screams, "Look at me, I watch more movies than you, plebian sexy fill-in-the-blank!" Movieline's staff have culled a litany of costume ideas for you, inspired by indie art films and big Hollywood hits alike, either from this year at the movies or from the future. Dive in to find the greatest relevant Halloween costume ideas of the year!
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Contagion/Haywire/Magic Mike director (slash painter and future retiree) Steven Soderbergh was indeed tapped by old friend Gary Ross to shoot second unit on the YA adaptation The Hunger Games, the challenge of which he explains in an interview with Moviefone: "I thought, 'OK, I see what you guys are doing. I know what the tool kit is. I know what the rules are.' And it's fun in a way. I found it much more nerve-wracking than when you're shooting for yourself. Because I was constantly thinking, 'Oh, I hope that he likes this. I hope he likes that.' May the odds be ever in his favor? [Moviefone]
When EW debuted the first look at Jennifer Lawrence as heroine Katniss Everdeen in Lionsgate's The Hunger Games, it looked pretty damn good. But will Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson fare as well when it comes to embodying the well-loved characters of Gale and Peeta in Gary Ross's 2012 adaptation? Get your first full look at the men of The Hunger Games after the jump!
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Twenty four-year-old Lyndsy Fonseca has been familiar to television fans since her days on The Young and the Restless (she also appeared on Boston Public, Big Love, Desperate Housewives, and as Ted Mosby's future daughter on How I Met Your Mother) but she made herself known in fierce fashion last fall as Maggie Q's cunning and loyal protégé, Alex, on The CW's lady spy series Nikita. This week Fonseca adds to her growing film slate with a turn in John Carpenter's The Ward, a '60s-set psychological horror tale also filled with complex female relationships, themes of survival, and endless twists and turns.
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When Gary Ross picked rocker Lenny Kravitz out of nowhere to play Katniss's stylist Cinna in 2012's The Hunger Games, many folks were taken by surprise. But none, perhaps, were more surprised than Kravitz himself, who admits he didn't even know what The Hunger Games trilogy was until he got Ross's phone call.
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Never mind that there are only three novels in Suzanne Collins' bestselling Hunger Games trilogy -- Lionsgate will reportedly go the Summit/Warner Bros. route and squeeze an extra film out of their highly anticipated property, according to studio execs. You know what that means: put on your speculation hats and predict where Gary Ross & Co. will split the teen homicide-packed saga! [Deadline]
Donald Sutherland -- the film legend (and, weirdly, zero-time Oscar nominee) who starred in M*A*S*H* and Klute among many others -- is slated to play President Snow in The Hunger Games, the movie based on Suzanne Collins' blockbuster book series. Snow uses the violent games to maintain control as an autocratic ruler. Mr. Sutherland's white, wintry mane -- like angelfood cake in the wind -- makes him a shoo-in for the part. To me, anyway. For the full Hunger Games cast list, click on over to our comprehensive gallery. [Deadline]
Now that Lionsgate's Hunger Games casting roll-out is juuuuust about done (where art thou, President Snow? [UPDATE: There you are!]), Movieline has assembled the cast members of Gary Ross's YA now-filming novel adaptation for your perusal. After the jump, behold the faces of District 12 heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her friends, family, fellow fresh-meat tributes, and key players.
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The town of Shelby, NC is playing host to Gary Ross's The Hunger Games production this week, and local news is all aflutter with the goings-on around set. The Shelby Star has footage and pics from what appears to be a warehouse bearing the markings of District 12 -- home of Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). Get your first look after the jump!
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At long last, the announcement of the final two tributes in Gary Ross's The Hunger Games brings Lionsgate's ridiculously drawn-out casting search to a close. After the jump, meet the familiar teen faces who'll portray intimidating District 2 tributes Cato and Clove, two of the more fearsome adversaries Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) must face in the arena.
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Well, well, looks like we finally have our Haymitch for Gary Ross's 2012 The Hunger Games! Woody Harrelson nabbed the sought-after role of alcoholic former Games winner Haymitch Abernathy, who mentors Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) through the televised battle royale against 22 other skilled and lethal young killers. Approve/disapprove after the jump!
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