DETAILS: 'Catching Fire' At Comic Con

Comic Con has published their schedule and Lionsgate's Catching Fire and I, Frankenstein panel is set for Saturday, July 20th from 1:35-2:35pm in Hall H. 

I, Frankenstein stars Aaron Eckhart and Yvonne Strahovski appear with film director/writerStuart Beattie and graphic novel author/writer Kevin Grevioux. Plus, the cast of the highly anticipated second installment of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire comes to Hall H for the first time. Panel moderated by Fandango chief correspondent Dave Karger. Never-before-seen footage is showcased from both films. Includes Q&A opportunity.

Saturday July 20, 2013 1:35pm - 2:35pm 
Hall H

No word yet on which cast members will attend the panel. 

Pictures From Amandla Stenberg's Hunger Games Screening For the Ubuntu Fund

We told you HERE all about Amandla Stenberg's Hunger Games Screening For a Cause raffle benefiting the Ubuntu Fund. Christina Dover (the lucky winner) and her friend joined Amandla, Jack Quaid, and Ian Nelson to watch The Hunger Games last Saturday night. Amandla shared these photos on her blog.

On Saturday night, Ian Nelson, Jack Quaid and the winners of the Ubuntu Fund raffle joined me at WME's screening room to watch The Hunger Games. I am very thankful to Christiana Dover (@christianalove), the winner of the raffle, for her contributions to this cause. I'd like to thank everyone who supported Ubuntu by buying a raffle ticket. Every dollar counts, and together we were able to raise over $900! This money will go towards the Ubuntu Center in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where it will be used to provide care for the kids in need in the township. 

You can help Amandla support the Ubuntu Fund by watching a short video on her blog here. For every view, Zodiak Media donates $1 to the fund. 

'Catching Fire' Could Gross More Than 900 Million Worldwide

Variety reports that one industry analyst predicts Catching Fire will gross $900 million worldwide. This is also boosting Lionsgate's stock to an all time high.

Piper Jaffray said Tuesday it recommended the stock as its favorite mid-cap name in 2013 and singled out Catching Fire, due out Nov. 22.

“While the second Hunger Games film is an obvious catalyst, we see a number of other interesting initiatives across the company that will drive value,” analyst James Marsh wrote. “The film release slate is looking deeper (Red 2, Ender’s Game, Divergent), we like the odds of a Twilight extension, and international distribution deal economics are improving. 

David Miller of BRiley & Co. issued a similarly bullish report and repeated his $34 target, predicting that Catching Fire will gross $900 million worldwide. That’s 22% above the $691 million gross for The Hunger Games, will Miller noting that the popularity of the Hunger Games book trilogy has “exploded” overseas since last year’s release of the first film.

Read more at Variety

Woody Harrelson on Being Part of 'The Hunger Games' Franchise: "I love it"

Woody Harrelson spoke with ShortList while promoting his movie Now You See Me, and revealed that he "really loves" being part of The Hunger Games franchise. 

Photo by Matt Sayles/AP

And then, of course, there’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Can you tell us how that’s coming along?

I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard it’s looking great.

How does it feel for you to be part of a big juggernaut franchise? It’s the first time you’ve…

...it’s the first time I’ve been a part of something that’s a hit [laughs].

No, it’s just that being part of a huge blockbuster is not something people would associate with you.

I love it. I really love it. I said no at first. But the director called me and he said, “You’ve got to do this for me, I don’t have a second choice.” He was so passionate about it, and I thought, “Well if you want me to do it that bad, I’ll do it.” Just one conversation made me throw the dice. That was it, and now I’m part of this incredible franchise.

Were you surprised by how big it became?

Yes I was. I didn’t know what I was stepping into.

A lot of people have said Hollywood is relying too much on big franchises at the moment. Do you think that’s true?

Well, Hollywood is so many diverse things; you have indies that I love. But when you’re looking at studios, they need to make money. They’re giant corporations, so I understand that in getting something that is working, you stick with it. Most times, sequels aren’t as good as the original, and I hope that’s not the case for The Hunger Games. I haven’t seen it, but if it is as good, why not? I don’t have a moral issue with it, I get the idea. F*ck it. Do it.

Read the rest of the article at ShortList.com

Campaigning For Coin: Jessica Tuck

This edition of the Hunger Games fan site series "Campaigning For Coin" focuses on Jessica Tuck. Every Tuesday and Thursday, the fan sites will be sharing opinions on different actresses we think may (or may not) be right for the role of President Alma Coin in Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2. As always, be warned: Spoilers!

Jessica Tuck is an American actress known for her roles as Megan Gordon Harrison on One Life to Live, Gillian Gray on Judging Amy, and Nan Flanagan on True Blood. 

HG Girl On Fire

Sheila: Jessica Tuck is one of my favorite fan casting choices to play President Coin. Best known to me as Nan Flanagan (the Vampire Spokesperson) in HBO’s True Blood series, Jessica is easily able to play someone in a position of authority with a great deal of political power, while having an agenda behind her agenda. On screen she easily plays the part of the well spoken politician, but behind the scenes switches her persona to be one of the most ruthless vampires they have on the show. Jessica’s character does what she does to get the job done and doesn’t apologize for it. She believes in her power and her right to wield it. In my opinion, if Jessica’s ability to play this type of character doesn’t scream President Coin, I’m not sure what does.

HG Fireside Chat

Savanna: Of all the potential Coins that we’ve discussed so far, Jessica Tuck is definitely my favorite! She comes very, very close to the fuzzy mental image of Coin that I developed while reading Mockingjay, and I think her look would really be perfect for the role. Tuck’s character on True Blood, Nan Flanagan, is a vampire rights activist and figure of authority in the vampire community. Although she always appears calm and poised in her public appearances, she’s quite ruthless and agenda-pushing behind the scenes. Remind you of anyone? While Flanagan and Coin are obviously very, very different, seeing how effectively Tuck portrays that “type” has convinced me that she would have no trouble bringing Coin to life and making her every bit as compelling as she is on the page. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that the powers that be will want to bring in an A-lister to play Coin, and Tuck — while an absolutely gifted actress — is simply not at that level.

Mockingjay.net

Crystal: I admit, the news about Julianne Moore possibly being Coin depressed me. Jessica Tuck has been the Coin in my head for at least a couple of years now. If you’re not sure who she is by name, she plays Nan Flanagan on True Blood and boy is she awesome at being curt, cold, and to-the-point. No matter who is cast for the part, if it’s not Jessica Tuck, I’ll probably keep seeing her as Coin. I’ll probably even pretend it’s her while watching the movies, that’s how badly I want her to be Coin!

Panem Propaganda

Arowana: Well Jessica Tuck definitely has THE AUTHORITY (Boom! True Blood joke straight off the bat) to play Alma Coin. As Nan Flanagan in True Blood, Tuck has already demonstrated that she has the stones to play a character that appears to be a fine upstanding leader of a segregated community, only to morph into someone quite unpleasant once the cameras turn off. The more I thought about this casting, the more I realised the parallels between Flanagan and Coin and the more I liked it. Flanagan isn’t afraid of a bit of collateral damage in her vision of the future, just like Coin, and in fact (Series 4 Spoiler Ahead) shortly before her decline, she too reveals a desire to overthrow the leadership status quo. Jessica Tuck performs this with spectacular ruthlessness and a steely authoritative stare. Keep in mind that Coin has brought her District through a survival-threatening disease outbreak already, and holds them tightly under a tattooed routine with heavy restrictions on all kinds of rations. She’s a scary lady with eyes the colour of “slush that you wish would melt away”, which I can see in Jessica Tuck. Of course, this might mean that Alma’s ulterior motives will be clearer sooner but let’s also remember that this woman played Sharpay and Ryan’s mother in High School Musical 2 and 3, and any woman who can withstand that girl can believably rule a nation.

Welcome to District 12

Courtney/Tiffany: Jessica Tuck is in the correct age range for Coin, but this choice isn’t one of those ‘wow’ choices we would like for such a big role. We know some fan sites really love her for Coin so we trust their judgement in acting ability, however she’s doesn’t have as much film experience as we would like. Her character on True Blood has many Coin qualities as well but we just don’t think she’s a big enough name for such a large role.

Campaigning For Coin: Sela Ward

This edition of the Hunger Games fan site series "Campaigning For Coin" focuses on Sela Ward. Every Tuesday and Thursday, the fan sites will be sharing opinions on different actresses we think may (or may not) be right for the role of President Alma Coin in Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2. As always, be warned: Spoilers!

Sela Ward is an American actress best known for her television roles on Sisters, Once and Again, House MD, and CSI:NY. Sela has two Emmys and a Golden Globe in her trophy case and has been nominated numerous times for various awards.  

HG Girl On Fire:

Sheila: When thinking about Sela Ward for the role of President Coin, one of the things I have the most trouble with, envisioning her as this character, is wondering if she has the steeliness and grit to pull of such a character. I remember Sela best for her work in The Fugitive, The Stepfather and the Day After Tomorrow.  The one thing I remember about Sela in each of these roles was her capacity to play a loving, nurturing mom and wife, so Im finding it difficult to see her in a role so different than ones she's already played. With that said, however, I do think she has the acting ability to play more diverse roles, I'm just not so sure she is my President Coin.

My Hunger Games

Jacqui:  You might not recognize the name, but you are sure to recognize the face.  Sela Ward has made numerous appearances on TV shows including House and CSI-NY  She is beautiful and she acts well.  In fact she took out an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal as Lily Manning in the series Once and Again.  She also received nominations for playing a struggling artist and recovering alcoholic in the series Sisters.  But could she be Alma Coin?  To be honest, I don't see why not, but there's nothing about any of her performances that I have seen that make me think "SHE'S THE ONE".  She is the type of actress that exudes an inner calm and peace, and could definitely portray a leader that has the loyalty and respect of her fellow citizens.  Perhaps then she would be the perfect ruse as Coin; to be revealed as a woman who SEEMS to want freedom and peace for the nation, but has no qualms in being cruel and manipulative and as self-serving as the most evil of dictators to get what she wants.  I guess all-in-all, I have a fairly luke-warm response.  I wouldn't be disappointed, but nor would I be thrilled.

PanemPropaganda

Molly: I remember Sela Ward from the show Sisters way back in the 90’s. What I remember most about her is her distinctive, patrician look and her deep, rich voice. She even had a young George Clooney playing her love interest on the show. Since Sisters, she’s been a television regular on shows such as Once And Again, House and CSI:NY. She’s won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. I think she’d be just fine as Coin, but that’s the problem. I don’t think any of us want a Coin that’s “just fine.” We want a Coin that will go toe to toe with Jennifer Lawrence, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Woody Harrelson and Donald Sutherland. We have an A-List cast, we need an A-List Coin.

The Hob

Lee: On the surface, Sela Ward seems an unlikely candidate to portray President Coin. Her roles tend towards more genteel, soft spoken, circumspect characters, as we've seen in her parts on shows like CSI-NY and Sisters. However, it is these qualities I find so intriguing when envisioning Ms. Ward as President Coin. As Ms. Ward also stands tall and strong in her roles, she could make a credible Coin. Watchful and intense, the silence could work for her as the viewer would know she was focusing on her objective - domination, control and the quest to rule at all costs.

Victor's Village

Tiffany: I feel like you won't recognize Sela Ward by her name, but you will by her face. Best known for roles on TV (House MD, CSI:NY, Once and Again) or movie parts as mothers (The Day After Tomorrow) and wives (The Fugitive), there's a good chance you've seen her in something and would immediately recognize her beautifully striking look. If the filmmakers were looking for a lesser known woman as Coin, Sela Ward would be an interesting choice, but chances are she may not fit in with the likes of Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson and Philip Seymour Hoffman in acclaim and recognizability. She may have won her fair share of awards, but she is a little lacking in the household name department. I've always liked Sela Ward in the roles I've seen her in, and I think she could pull off Coin's "severe" look, but Lionsgate, I feel, would want to reach a little higher.

Jennifer Lawrence Will cover Vogue's September Issue

Jennifer Lawrence will be Vogue's cover girl for their prestigious September Issue. 

From WWD.com: Jennifer Lawrence, most recently seen in October in W, November in Vogue U.K. and February in Vanity Fair, scored her first cover of Vogue, shot by Mario Testino. And all it took was winning an Academy Award. 

We can look forward to an interview and a gorgeous new photo spread in the issue, which will hit newstands in August. 

Jennifer Lawrence at The Dior Haute Couture Show in Paris

Being one of the faces of Dior has it's perks. Namely, sitting front row at the Dior Haute Couture Show for Paris Fashion Week. 

Photos courtesy ZIMBIO