The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be released via IMAX on November 23rd. Director Francis Lawrence will make use of IMAX cameras in filming portions of the second installment of the franchise, Lionsgate is touting. Oscar-nominee Jennifer Lawrence will reprise her role as Katniss Everdeen along with fellow cast members Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Hutcherson. The first round of Hunger Games hit the $400 million milestone in North America and has hit $650 million worldwide. The film will hit the huge Chinese market later this month. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is based on the second book in Suzanne Collins’ bestselling series. It chronicles the life of Katniss Everdeen after she emerges from the 74th Annual Hunger Games victorious, but still not safe. Even as she becomes an unwitting symbol of the rebellion mounting in the districts, Katniss never loses sight of her commitment to protect her family. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has over 36 million copies in print in the U.S. alone. “We are thrilled to continue the productive partnership we enjoyed with IMAX on the first installment of The Hunger Games ,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger in a joint statement. “Our partnership on the first Hunger Games film was a resounding success, and we look forward to building on that experience with an expanded IMAX relationship on Catching Fire .”
‘He’s got a wry sense of humor about himself,’ actor tells MTV News at Tribeca Film Festival. By Kevin P. Sullivan Mark Ruffalo at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of “Avengers” Photo: Andrew H. Walker/ Getty Images Of all the actors coming together to form the Avengers, Mark Ruffalo decidedly had the most to prove. After two previous Hulk films left fans largely unsatisfied, a new actor in the role could either lead to another letdown or, finally, to a version that felt true to the comics. Fortunately for Ruffalo, early reviews of ” The Avengers ” overwhelming point to his version of Bruce Banner as one of the highlights of the film. MTV News caught up with Ruffalo at the closing-night ceremonies for the Tribeca Film Festival to get his take on the Hulk’s positive reception and to find out what was different this time around. Ruffalo felt the pressure that came with the role of the Hulk as soon as he signed on to be the third actor in as many films. “It was very daunting. I’ve never had a part so harshly reviewed before I even shot a single frame of film,” he said. “The fanboys had a lot to say about it — granted, they had a great deal of care about this part and a lot of sentimentality as well, as do I, growing up on it.” The actor said that the latest technology gave him the biggest advantage over the first two iterations of the character. “There have been other great performances as Banner. The only real edge that I had was that the technology had changed so much since that last movie that I actually got to play the Hulk,” Ruffalo said. This latest version of the Hulk takes a different approach to the character, giving him a dry sense of humor about his condition, but Ruffalo gave credit to both Eric Bana and Edward Norton for helping lay the foundation in the first two films. “I just think it’s a natural progression of the other performances. When you find the guy at this point, he’s tired of running. He’s got a wry sense of humor about himself,” Ruffalo said. “He’s ready to turn and face the world. He’s got a charming world-weariness that’s kind of knocked the edges off of him and made him slightly more accessible.” Check out everything we’ve got on “The Avengers.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit . Related Videos ‘The Avengers’ Take On Tribeca Film Festival MTV Rough Cut: ‘The Avengers’ Related Photos ‘Avengers’
The Avengers faces a tough battle if they want to top Katniss and company’s expected $400 million domestic earnings. By Fallon Prinzivalli Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate After its sixth weekend in theaters, The Hunger Games” is still lighting up the box office . Katniss and company’s cumulative gross is currently a whopping $601 million worldwide, after raking in $11.2 million in the U.S. and another $7.4 million overseas this weekend. Standing tall at #4, the dystopian franchise’s weekend dip was 23 percent, which is the lowest decline yet for the movie (its second weekend in theaters saw a 60 percent drop), according to Box Office Guru . And it wasn’t far behind third-place “The Lucky One,” which earned $11.3 following its second weekend. It looks like the assembly of Earth’s mightiest heroes won’t even be able to stop Katniss’ estimated goal. With “The Hunger Games” sitting comfortably with a domestic total of $372.4 million, it’s going to take more than Thor and his mighty hammer to bring “Marvel’s The Avengers” to the top. If “The Hunger Games” can rake in $400 million domestically ( like box-office experts predicted ), it would outperform the first films in both “Twilight” and “Harry Potter.” As audiences gear up for the highly anticipated Marvel film, only time will tell what this weekend will bring the first film in Katniss’ franchise. And as far as the success of a sequel since Gary Ross is no longer on board to direct, it isn’t something Josh Hutcherson , who plays Peeta, is particularly worried about. “Gary, I think, brought so much to the movie, and he created that whole world that was so close to the book and so perfect in so many ways that it’s going to be hard for Francis [Lawrence] to come in, for sure,” Hutcherson told MTV News at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. “But Francis is extremely talented and everyone I’ve talked to says he’s the best guy in the world. So I think he’s going to bring a lot [to the sequel].” What film to you think will be the bigger box-office smash: “The Hunger Games” or “The Avengers”? Sound off in the comments! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: CinemaCon 2012
Well, it looks like Lionsgate has picked their pony in the Catching Fire directing race ; I Am Legend director Francis Lawrence has reportedly been offered the job to helm the Hunger Games sequel, which is set to start filming on a tight schedule this August. Lawrence has three features under his belt, in addition to music videos for the likes of J. Lo and Britney Spears; he most recently directed Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon in Water for Elephants (but also made 2005’s Constantine ). Lawrence is said to have gotten the offer over Moneyball ‘s Bennett Miller, who Deadline reports was “very interested” in the gig but wanted to take time to film his Foxcatcher first. So what is there to say about Lionsgate’s choice? At least Lawrence has experience handling visual effects, building devastated but slick near-futuristic worlds, and working with teen heartthrobs. And hey, he won a Grammy (for directing Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video)! So there’s that. If Katniss Everdeen finds herself besieged in a techno bathhouse in the Simon Beaufoy-penned sequel, he’ll know what to do. And hey, maybe he can get Gaga to play Johanna Mason… Catching Fire is already set for release for November 22, 2013. Muse away on the Lawrence hire in the comments below! [ Deadline ]
Mattel has unveiled the first look at their Hunger Games -themed Katniss Everdeen Barbie doll ($29.95), available for pre-order today and on shelves in August, and the result is… kinda close to what I envisioned when I read Suzanne Collins’ novels. Not that District 12’s underfed hunter gal ever hewed that close to Barbie’s usual unattainably bosomy dimensions in most readers’ minds, but something in Katniss-Barbie’s face is appropriately feline, with just the merest hint of the full-lipped pout that Jennifer Lawrence brought to the screen. Still, I had to laugh at creator Bill Greening’s explanation (via EW) for how Katniss-Barbie, clad in her Games survival gear, was designed: “Hopefully Hunger Games fans can appreciate the attention to detail. The doll’s minimalistic style and details — such as her loosely braided hair and makeup-free look — also really embody the heroic character Katniss.” Adding eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner to Katniss’s pre-bloodbath look isn’t exactly what I’d call “make-up free,” but at least Greening kept from sexifying Katniss up when it came to her outfit. Pure Eddie Bauer chic, modeled on her getup from the movie. (I’m sure Katniss’s flamboyant Capitol dresses are also en route to shelves for maximum styling options.) What’s more satisfying at first glance is seeing that Katniss-Barbie looks more like the Katniss I’d imagined when reading the books. Lawrence does stellar work in the role and is arguably one the best actresses of her generation who might’ve been up for it, but I’d always had a more ethnic-looking Katniss in mind. And while Mattel’s design is just ethnically-ambiguous enough, I’d say it runs closer to Katniss’s description on paper than the one captured onscreen in the film adaptation. Thoughts? [ EW , Barbie Collector ]
‘Jennifer Lawrence is the perfect Katniss Everdeen!’ one MTV News commenter writes. By Elizabeth Lancaster Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate After devouring the books and flooding movie theaters, “Hunger Games” fans have become fiercely loyal to the actors who embodied their favorite characters. And those die-hards are not taking kindly to suggestions that Jennifer Lawrence is too curvy to play Katniss Everdeen . Much of the backlash stems from New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis’ review of the film, in which she wrote: “A few years ago Ms. Lawrence might have looked hungry enough to play Katniss, but now, at 21, her seductive, womanly figure makes a bad fit for a dystopian fantasy about a people starved into submission.” On Wednesday, when MTV News checked in with “Hunger Games” experts for their feelings on the subject, many of you took to our comments section and our Twitter to let us know just how much you disagree with Dargis’ take on the lead actress. MTV.com reader DavidB presented this quote from Suzanne Collins’ book, in which Katniss describes her own body: “I stand straight, and while I’m thin, I’m strong. The meat and plants from the woods combined with the exertion it took to get them have given me a healthier body than most of those I see around me.” Another commenter, GrantGibbs1, wrote, “Jennifer Lawrence is the perfect Katniss Everdeen! She’s not even fat??? First racist comments now weight issues,” the commenter added, in reference to the issues some moviegoers have had over Rue being played by a black actress. For many fans and readers, it’s not about accuracy, but respect and admiration for Jennifer Lawrence as an actress, as well as defending young women from the pressures that create body issues. On Twitter, @PromiseKidrauhl told us Lawrence “was perfectly picked to play Katniss,” while @valvdg wrote, “As if young women didn’t have enough weight issues.” It’s not too late to make your voice heard: What do you think about the controversy over Jennifer Lawrence’s body? Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Photos The Hunger Games
We can’t help but look forward to the next film based on Suzanne Collins’ best-sellers. By Kara Warner Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutchenson Photo: WireImage While we’d love to take some more time to bask in the glow of just-released box-office champ “The Hunger Games,” it’s time to move on to the sequel and start pondering and overanalyzing everything about “Catching Fire” . Here are our five burning questions (minor spoilers ahead for those who haven’t yet read the book — hurry up and get to it, people!): When Will Gary Ross Officially Sign On to Direct? By all accounts, this question has already been answered behind closed doors in some fancy studio room somewhere but has not been announced to the general public. As of now, Gary Ross is attached to direct “Catching Fire,” which, in “Hollywood speak,” means he’s still trying to work out the details with his agents and the studio. We’re pretty optimistic that he’ll return, though, because he’s offered up some very specific details about his plans for it. When and Where Will Filming Take Place? Come on, Lionsgate, you’ve already announced the release date for “Catching Fire.” When will you announce the production start date? Time is ticking! Those of us who’ve read the book know there are Games afoot but of a completely different nature. Ross told MTV News that he has some specific ideas about how to shoot in/on a tropical location but wouldn’t expand upon them beyond teasing the tone of the second film. “It will look and feel slightly different from the first,” he said before adding that he can guarantee one thing: “Catching Fire” will not be in 3-D. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for this film. If we shoot in 3-D, we become the Capitol,” he said. Who Will play Finnick Odair? Much like the hullabaloo that surrounded the casting of Katniss, Peeta and Gale, fans are very invested in who will play hunky-yet-surprisingly-complex victor Finnick Odair. The list of fan hopefuls is all over the place and includes Armie Hammer, Alex Pettyfer, Garrett Hedlund, Hunter Parrish and YouTube star Joey Graceffa. (This writer would very much like for relatively unknown Benjamin Stone to be in the mix . See his work on “The Nine Lives of Chloe King” for proof.) Will Kristen Bell’s Campaigning Pay Off? In addition to charming us into total adoration via the release of her slightly embarrassing sloth video , Kristen Bell has not been shy about her love of “The Hunger Games.” The admitted superfan has launched her very own campaign of sorts to be cast as kick-ass District 7 champ Johanna Mason. Only time will tell to see if she gets her shot. We think she at least deserves an audition, don’t you? Which Scene Will Be the Most Swoon-Worthy? The greater messages in “The Hunger Games” are about survival and independence and freedom. However, we can’t help it if there are also several swoon-worthy scenes that we can’t wait to see played out onscreen between Katniss and Peeta and Gale. Speaking to “Catching Fire,” what will make us melt in our seats most? That “beach scene” between Katniss and Peeta or Katniss and Gale’s emotional exchange after he’s severely beaten and recovering at her mother’s house? Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos Live From ‘The Hunger Games’ Red Carpet Premiere Talk Nerdy MTV Rough Cut: Jennifer Lawrence Related Photos Inside ‘The Hunger Games’ Capitol ‘Hunger Games’ Cast Hits NYC
We recognize the big-screen adaptation’s time constraints, but we missed these moments from the book. By Fallon Prinzivalli Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate Translating a novel into a Hollywood blockbuster is not an easy task. Since there is limited time, a lot of the juicy tidbits get lost in translation. With a book as popular as “The Hunger Games,” fan criticism lurks at every turn and the screenwriters are careful to include as many of the beloved scenes as possible. Luckily, the adaptation of the book to the big screen left this weekend’s moviegoers extremely pleased. While we are understanding of the time constraints — the movie is already over two hours — there were a few key “Hunger Games” book scenes we would have loved to see in the film. Wanna win a Hunger Games special edition HP laptop from MTV News? Click here to enter! For those of you who have yet to read the book, there are spoilers ahead. (Also, what are you waiting for?! If you enjoyed the movie, the book will fill in all the missing details.) From Haymitch’s drunken fall to District 11’s respect for Katniss to Katniss’ fight to get back to Peeta, here are our picks for the five key scenes from the book not in the movie: Haymitch Falling Offstage at the Reaping From the start of the Reaping scene with Prim stopped dead in her tracks to the end when Katniss is escorted to her holding room, the audience is left shaking in their seats. Katniss volunteering in place of Prim saw quite a few audience members already in tears too. In the novel, before Effie begins her infamous “Happy Hunger Games!” speech, there is a quick scene where Haymitch is so drunk he falls off the stage. It adds a little comic relief to his introduction, but it also sets up the mentor’s troubled state and shows the effect the Games had on him years later as a grown man. Peeta’s Father Bringing Katniss Cookies In the book, before Katniss and Peeta board the train for the Capitol, Katniss gets a surprise visitor: Peeta’s dad, the District 12 baker, brings her a plate of cookies and informs her that he’ll make sure Prim is eating. It’s a touching gesture that confuses Katniss at first. She is familiar with Mr. Mellark because he buys the squirrels she hunts in the woods, but he has no obligation to her or her family. Katniss comes to believe it is because everyone merely tolerates her but they cannot help but love innocent, friendly Prim. The scene sets the audience up for Katniss’ distrust of Peeta throughout the book. District 11 Sending Katniss Bread The District 11 uprising after Rue’s death in the movie adaptation is absent from the novel. In lieu of this scene, Katniss is sent a sponsor gift containing a loaf of bread. During their training before the Games, Peeta explained to Katniss the different types of bread in each district, and Katniss immediately recognizes the loaf as coming from District 11. In recognition of the gift, she says a thank you to the district out loud. While the movie scene shows the power Katniss already possesses against the Capitol, the book scene slowly sets up the other districts’ willingness to trust her. Katniss Telling Peeta the Story of Prim’s Goat While Katniss attempts to nurse Peeta back to health — to no avail, as his leg gets worse — a feverish Peeta asks her to tell him a story. Knowing that the Capitol and Gamemakers are listening to every word, she leaves out the details of her and Gale hunting in the woods and tells him the story of how she bought Prim’s goat, Lady. After selling a young buck at the Hob, Katniss has enough money to buy Prim a nice birthday present. She passes on a hairbrush and cloth for a dress in favor of an injured goat. Prim loves animals, and with her mother’s help, they were able to nurse Lady back to health. The milk from the goat helped the Everdeens survive after their father’s death. Katniss’ ability to open up to Peeta adds to the love-triangle dynamic. The more Katniss reveals about herself to Peeta, the more she starts to care for him and vice versa, whereas Gale was around to experience these moments with her. Katniss Screaming for Peeta After the Games One of the more powerful scenes in the book comes when Katniss and Peeta are airlifted out of the arena and onto a hover craft. Katniss sees Peeta being taken away, but at the time, she is unaware of the reason. As they are separated, Katniss begins pounding on a glass door while screaming Peeta’s name. While the audience is left to wonder whether Katniss is really in love with Peeta, this scene shows that, regardless of whether it was all an act, she cares about him. Later on, this scene is replayed in front of the Capitol during an interview with Caesar Flickerman and shows that the star-crossed-lovers act just might save her life — at least for now. What did you think of The Hunger Games? Give us your review on Facebook ! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Photos The Hunger Games
A horror movie, two Bradley Cooper films and a return to Katniss Everdeen are all in the works. By Kara Warner Jennifer Lawrence at the “Hunger Games” premiere Photo: Getty Images For those of you who rushed out to the theater to see Jennifer Lawrence and company in this weekend’s box-office blockbuster “The Hunger Games,” how good was Lawrence as Katniss? If you were as delighted and moved by Lawrence’s performance as we were, you’re probably wondering what the Oscar nominee will be up to next. Lucky for you, we have a few answers! Here’s a little rundown of what to expect from Lawrence and where to see more of this talented, charming and all-around likable leading lady. (Side note: Before she jumps right into another project, we hope Lawrence takes a vacation of some sort and gets a little rest and relaxation after her extensive, worldwide promotional tour for “Games.” We loved seeing the cast at so many events and so dressed up, but she has to be exhausted!) Anyway, we have to wait until fall until we get another Lawrence film. The first is the horror/thriller “House at the End of the Street,” co-starring Elisabeth Shue. In the film, Lawrence and Shue play a mother/daughter duo who get wrapped up in the mystery of a murder in a small town. Shortly after the September 21 release of “House at the End of the Street,” fans will see a very brief appearance by Lawrence in “Devil You Know,” playing the younger version of Rosamund Pike’s character Zoe. In November, we’ll see Lawrence in “The Silver Linings Playbook,” the first of two films co-starring Bradley Cooper . “Silver Linings” revolves around a man who tries to put his life back together after spending years in a mental institution. “I just wrapped a movie called ‘The Silver Linings Playbook,’ ” Lawrence told MTV News recently. “And then I’m going to go shoot another Bradley Cooper movie. It’s not a Bradley Cooper movie — Bradley Cooper’s in the movie — it’s a Jennifer Lawrence movie with Bradley in it,” she joked. “Bradley Cooper and I are going to come out with a Jennifer Lawrence/ Bradley Cooper box set.” Their second film together is “Serena,” about a Depression-era couple who face personal complications when they learn that Lawrence’s character cannot bear children, which has a negative impact on the future of their lumber company. Fun fact about “Serena”: Lawrence’s role was originally intended for Angelina Jolie. “I’m not at the status where I have her roles. I have her leftovers, let’s be clear,” she joked of taking over for Jolie. “She left it for me. I have her garbage. No, that’s a wonderful place to be. I’m an actor digging through Angelina Jolie’s garbage. I’ve made it.” Shooting on “Serena” has yet to start. After her work on “Serena,” we’re all hoping Lawrence will be back playing Katniss for “Catching Fire” or getting painted to play Mystique in the yet-to-be-announced sequel to “X-Men: First Class.” Because “Fire” has a November 22, 2013, release date already locked in place, we’re betting Lawrence will be back wielding a bow and arrow before she’s spending countless hours in the makeup chair to “get painted again” for “X-Men.” Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Jennifer Lawrence Live From ‘The Hunger Games’ Red Carpet Premiere Related Photos Meet Katniss From ‘Hunger Games’: Jennifer Lawrence
‘Welcome to the World Luca Cruz Comrie!’ Duff tweets about first child. By Christina Garibaldi Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie Photo: Jesse Grant/ WireImage Hilary Duff is now a mom! The former Disney star and her husband, Mike Comrie, welcomed baby boy Luca Cruz Comrie into the world Tuesday. Duff took to her Twitter page to break the happy news. “Welcome to the World Luca Cruz Comrie!” she tweeted . “Tuesday evening, we became proud parents of a healthy 7 pound 6 ounce beautiful boy.” She followed it up by tweeting , “We are overjoyed and feel like the luckiest parents in the world. He is surrounded by so much love!! Mom and baby are both doing extremely well.” Duff and Comrie , who recently retired from the NHL, revealed they were expecting their first child back in August, one year after their wedding anniversary. They announced the news on Duff’s website , writing, “We are extremely happy and are ready to start this new chapter in our lives.” In October, Duff — who was more than four months pregnant at the time — sat down with MTV News and told us she had a feeling that she was expecting a baby boy . “Everyone else says it’s a girl, but I think it’s a boy,” Duff said. “I’d be happy with a girl, but my sister’s like, ‘You can’t keep saying that, because then when it’s a girl, everyone’s gonna be like, “You really wanted a boy!” ‘ I don’t care what I get, but every time I think about it or dream about it, I see a boy.” At the time, Duff was in the process of making a very tough decision: picking a baby name. “If we give the baby kind of a unique name, we need to give it a normal middle name in case it hates it and wants to, like, fit in better, and then maybe we just need to go totally traditional,” Duff said. “And we’re like, ‘How can we be naming it before we even see it?’ There’s so much to think about!” The former “Lizzie McGuire” star got lucky during her first pregnancy, saying that other than the lack of sleep, it’s been a relatively calm experience. “I feel really good. It’s been pretty easy, and I haven’t gotten sick at all, and I don’t have too many cravings,” Duff told MTV News. “It’s so different. It’s literally like an alien has taken over your body. One day I’ll have a good day, and one day I’ll have a bad day, and it kinda goes like that.” Leave your well-wishes for Hilary and Mike in the comments below! Related Photos Lovebirds: Hilary Duff And Mike Comrie Related Artists Hilary Duff
