The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Why The Odds Are In It's Favor By Total Film

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire landed the number 30 spot in Total Film’s Future 100: their preview of the hottest incoming movies, stars and trends. Here's why they think the odds are in it's favor:

Its Got Solid Cinematic Foundations

With it's blend of gut-punching action and tremendous emotion, The Hunger Games became one of 2012's biggest hits ($691M in box office receipts, 85% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, Lionsgate's highest-grossing release ever). That puts Catching Fire in a fantastic position: book fans love the movie and that built-in audience is all-important when it comes to box-office. Expect rampant record smashing.

J-Law's Never Been Hotter

She's just 22 years old but Jennifer Lawrence is everywhere at the moment. Not only does she have 2 massive movie franchises stringed to her bow (X-Men and The Hunger Games), but she's also just nabbed a Best Actress Oscar for her role as Tiffany in indie Silver Linings Playbook.

It's Going Bigger

As with any sequel, Catching Fire is all about expanding. Aiming higher and hammering out the details. That means visits to other impoverished Districts and an even bigger cast list. Talking of bigger, if you thought the arena in the first film was impressive, just wait until you see what Donald Sutherland's Machiavellian President Snow has in store for the 75th Hunger Games...

There's Fresh Meat

While director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) has revealed that District 8's Bonnie and Twill won't make it into the film, we can look forward to new tributes in trident-brandishing Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), one liner-loving Johanna (Jena Malone), and super smart old-timer Mags (Lynn Cohen). Plus Philip Seymour Hoffman as cunning Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee.

It'll Be Just As Unflinching As The First Film

Much was made of the less-is-more approach to bloodshed in the PG-13 rated The Hunger Games. In the end, the restraint on the red-stuff didn't lessen the films's impact any, and the same should apply to Catching Fire. If the book's anything to go by, Katniss is in for even deadlier challenges, this time battling a tsunami, burning fog and mutant monkeys....

It's Going Deeper

The end of The Hunger Games promised darker times ahead, and Catching Fire will navigate pretty murky territory. There are repercussions to Katniss' thwarting of President Snow, and CF is as much about her fight against the Capitol as her emergence as the voice of the people. Meanwhile, the seeds of war are being sown. Who says this is just for teens?

The Passion's Still There

Whearas Robert Pattinson was visibly chomping at the bit by the time he had to promote The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Lawrence couldn't be happier about re-entering THG. "It was like going back to school, " She says. "It's a character I'm passionate about. Katniss is a hard character to get bored with."

The Trailer Looks Phenomenal

Any worries that the departure of original series director Gary Ross would dent the quality of Catching Fire were immediately buried by the film's first trailer. Packed full of atmosphere, it effortlessly matches the edgy vibe of the first Hunger Games installment. "I agree she should die, but in the right way, at the right time, " rasps Philip Seymour Hoffman as Heavensbee. Shivers down the spine all around. 

It's Going to Be A Feast For The Eyes

No surprise that early marketing material focused on Catching Fire's fashion - masterminded by costume designer Trish Summerville (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), the assortment of fur coats and fabulous frocks make for sizzling sci-fi couture. District 12 escort Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) again leads the pack in the kind of kooky clothing that would turn even Lady Gaga's fashion conscious head. 

It's Not An Easy Game

So the risks are greater, the canvas has been expanded, and J-Law's still keen, but what about the romance? That's where Catching Fire plays it smart, muddying the relationship between Katniss and fellow HG survivor Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) as their fates depend on the plausibility of their shaky faux-mance. And what of Liam Hemswoth's Gale? Let the Games begin......

 

'Catching Fire' LITERAL Trailer by Tobuscus

One of our FAVORITE YouTubers, Tobuscus (aka Toby Turner) just released a LITERAL trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. If you haven't seen Toby's parody trailers before, you're in for a treat. Or you'll be very confused. Either way, you're welcome:

We recommend you check out Toby's YouTube channel HERE for more hilarity. 

Be a Part of the New Official 'Catching Fire' Book Trailer

Scholastic is creating a new trailer for the book Catching Fire to coincide with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire movie's upcoming release (11/22/13 - in case you forgot!) They've just announced a way for YOU to be a part of it. 

Want to be a part of the new official Catching Fire book trailer? Find out how you can participate by watching the video that features Kimmy from Mockingjay.net and PagetoPremiere.com and Aldrin from DownWithTheCapitol and YouTuber at TheAldyWaldy:

Costume Illustrations from 'Catching Fire'

 

Frocktalk recently spoke with Phillip Boutte, a costume illustrator who worked with costume designer Trish Summerville on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Boutte took Summerville's costume designs and used a hybrid of different mediums (hand drawing, photoshop, Corel painter and ZBrush) to make a rendering of the costume designs:

I can take a fitting photo of something and make it look the way it’s supposed to look.  Through photo manipulation and painting, I’ll do my sketch in the computer – I’ll directly sketch into the computer instead of using a pencil – and then I’ll start to fill in actors’ faces, block in big shapes, block in a basic silhouette and start to draw, based on the specifications of what the designer has given me.  From that point, you can make things look a lot more real.

Boutte didn't give us any new information about Catching Fire, but he did provide a look at some of the costumes. And they are all labeled by scene so we can see how they correspond to the Catching Fire movie stills and screencaps from the trailer.  You can read the full article HERE.

Liam Hemsworth Elizabeth Banks and Francis Lawrence at Cinema Con

Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, and director Francis Lawrence were on hand to present The Hunger Games: Catching Fire teaser trailer at Lionsgate's Cinema Con panel today. While no new footage was presented, we do know that the movie has officially wrapped, and the trailer will premiere in theatres in two weeks, ahead of Iron Man 3. 

Director Francis Lawrence revealed that he was still "furiously" cutting the film. Hemsworth kicked in a vote of confidence. "I know that he's not going to disappoint anyone," he said.

"I think we've actually been able to really ratchet up the emotion and the scope this time," said Francis Lawrence.

Keeping in the vein of Effie, her pragmatic, image-conscious character, Elizabeth Banks gave a nod to the studio's early marketing efforts.

"They're getting really excited," she said of Lionsgate. "They're kicking it into overdrive on this one."

Elizabeth Banks and Liam Hemsworth at Cinema Con 2013

Liam Hemsworth and Francis Lawrence at Cinema Con 2013

HUGE thanks to LiamHemsworthBr for these beautiful photos! 

'Catching Fire' At Cinema Con 2013

The Catching Fire display at Cinema Con. Image by collider

We told you HERE about Lionsgate's Cinema Con presentation today, and it's been reported that we'll get to see a little more Catching Fire footage at this presentation. It's rumored (but not confirmed) that Sam Claflin is making an appearance at the annual theater owner's convention.

Elizabeth Banks just confirmed that she's there to talk Catching Fire, in addition to receiving the Excellence in Acting Award at tonight's Big Screen Achievement Awards Gala. 

 We'll update this post with more news about Catching Fire at Cinema Con. 

Update on Thu, April 18, 2013 by PanemPropaganda

Catching Fire at Cinema Con Image by Perri Nemiroff

Sadly, no new footage was revealed at Lionsgate's presentation this afternoon. Though the studio did get a snazzy new logo:

Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, and director Francis Lawrence were on hand to introduce the teaser trailer and Lawrence says the film is officially wrapped and he's busy cutting it. The trailer will premiere in theatres in 2 weeks ahead of Iron Man 3! At least we'll all be able to enjoy it on the big screen.   

Thanks to Perri Nemiroff for the updates from Cinema Con! Follow her on twitter @PNemiroff and check out her blog littlemisscritical.com

VIDEO: Alan Ritchson Talks 'Catching Fire'

Alan Ritchson, who plays Gloss in Catching Fire, walked the red carpet at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards and talked about his his positive experience on set.  

Get More: 2013 MTV Movie Awards, Latest Movie News

from MTV Hollywood Crush:

"No hazing, fortunately," he said, laughing. Instead, he described "Catching Fire" as a great place to be, adding, "But to be a part of that, it was pretty cool. Jennifer's star just continued to rise, even through production...it was just cool to be there."

 And not only was Alan not put through the wringer by his co-stars, he said that everyone, particularly the fantabulous Stanley Tucci (with whom he did his pre-Games interview scene), was "super-generous and giving."

Meanwhile, the actor says that the scenes he's most looking forward to seeing on the big screen are the same one the fans are likely clamoring for: the highly anticipated action sequences from the 75th Hunger Games.

"We shot some cool scenes," he said. "I like the really physical kind of action stuff. I spent months training for this stuff, fight training, and becoming a dagger specialist. All those things in the arena are going to be a lot of fun."

Alan also talked to E! about watching Sam Claflin break his hand during production of Catching Fire:

"Sam got hurt the worst," Alan Ritchson, who plays Gloss in Catching Fire, told me at the MTV Movie Awards. "He broke his hand doing a stunt."

Don't look for footage of the mishap in a DVD extra, though. 

"It was in rehearsal, so we weren't even shooting," Ritchson said. "He broke it on the stunt guy, warming up. I was standing right next to him. It was tough to watch."

But, Ritchson said, Claflin "took it like a champ—he took it and kept moving."

Pre-Order 'Catching Fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion'

This is not the book cover - no image is availble yet

You can now pre-order Catching Fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Kate Egers, published by Scholastic. The book will be released the same say the movie premieres, November 22, 2013. If you haven't already checked out Kate's book, The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion  , we recommend it. It's packed with great behind the scenes info and loads of pictures. 

About Catching Fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion    

Catching Fire, the New York Times bestseller by Suzanne Collins, soon to be a  major motion picture -- and this is your guide to all of the movie's excitement, both in front of the camera and behind it.

Go behind the scenes of the making of Catching Fire with exclusive materials, including back-stage photos and interviews. From the screenwriting process to the casting decisions, from the fantastic new sets and gorgeous costumes to the actors' performances and the director's vision, this is the definitive companion to the second Hunger Games film.

Click to pre order Catching Fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion . You can actually receive the book on the day it comes out by selecting 2 day shipping.