Note : if you have not read The Hunger Games , you may be very confused by the following images. Follow-up note : if you have not read The Hunger Games … you’re seriously missing out! Hurry up and do so before the March 23 release date of the first film in this trilogy. In anticipation of that movie, Lionsgate has revealed a number of badges for various Districts in Panem, including District 12, where Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta ( Josh Hutcherson ) reside. Click on each to enlarge and then check out the first official Hunger Games trailer now! Seriously, is it March 23 yet?!?
The filming of The Hunger Games is complete, according to Lionsgate. With the announcement that the first film in the much-anticipated franchise is now in the next phase of its production, a full-length trailer can’t be far behind. In the meantime, here are five key scenes that will define this film event and have fans counting down the days until the premiere, scheduled for March 23. Be forewarned, as significant spoilers lie ahead … The Hunger Games Movie Trailer A Capitol event . According to reports, the scenes shot in the Capitol for the opening ceremonies of The Hunger Games will be nothing short of epic. Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss dons a dress made of flames, courtesy of Lenny Kravitz as her stylist, Cinna. The visuals are said to be out of this world. Katniss-on-Peeta action : As part of an ongoing saga, Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson get their mack on while in the arena. Do we need to say more? Hemsworth hunts . Peeta, schmeeta. Some of the hunting scenes featuring Gale show Liam Hemsworth at his ripped finest. Great casting, THG . Awesome Effie : Elizabeth Banks steals every scene in her pink-wigged, diva-like glory, bringing to life one of the books’ most colorful characters. RIP Rue : Katniss’s BFF, played by youngster Amandla Stenberg, does not make it out alive, leading to a poignant scene in which Kat adorns Rue’s body with flowers, then sings alongside her fallen comrade’s body. Amazing stuff. As a viewer, which scenes are you looking forward to the most? How well do you think this saga will adapt to the big screen? Tell us below, and be sure to visit The Hollywood Gossip for all the latest news and happenings regarding The Hunger Games between now and March 23.
Frank Potenza, the uncle of Jimmy Kimmel and a long-time New York City police officer who retired in 2003 and became a often-used personality on his nephew’s talk show, passed away this morning. He was 77. Uncle Frank Potenza on Jimmy Kimmel Live Jimmy Kimmel Live has confirmed the news and released a statement referring to how much Frank’s “kindness and humor” will be missed. His cause of death is unknown at this time. “Thank you for your kind words about a very kind man – my Uncle Frank – who passed away this morning,” Jimmy Tweeted a couple hours ago.
The recently-released poster of The Hunger Games , with the franchise’s famous mockingjay pin on fire ? Very cool. An actual trailer with footage from the wildly anticipated March 23 release? Even cooler… and on the way! According to Movie Fanatic, Jennifer Lawrence will make her debut as Katniss Everdeen this Sunday night, as the first official preview for The Hunger Games airs during the MTV Video Music Awards. The planned trilogy is based on three best-selling novels by Suzanne Collins. And in case you needed another reason to tune in for the ceremony: Lady Gaga will be kicking it off.
Ready to meet Mrs. Everdeen? In the latest casting news regarding the big screen adaption of The Hunger Games , Irish actress Paula Malcomson has landed the role of Katniss’ mother. The character is constantly worried about the future of her daughters. Malcomson is a veteran of the small screen, most recently appearing on Private Practice , Fringe and Sons of Anarchy . The actress joins a young cast that includes Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Willow Shield, Jack Quaid, Leven Rembin, Dayo Okeniyi, Amandla Stenberg and, of course, Jennifer Lawrence in the main role. Elizabeth Banks has also been rumored for the part of Effie. [Photo: WENN.com]
Elizabeth Banks has been rumored for the part of Effie Trinket in the upcoming film adaptation of The Hunger Games, according to new reports. A buzzed-about cast already features Jennifer Lawrence as lead character Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Gale. The rumor of Banks as Effie , a flaky bureaucrat who escorts her district’s young death-match contestants to their fate, was first reported by Variety. Lionsgate would not confirm whether Banks will be joining the film, based on the bestselling young-adult novel (the first in a hit trilogy) by Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, one boy and one girl from each district are chosen to fight to the death in a televised event. Banks has already taken on one huge new role this year: Mom. She and hubby Max Handelman welcomed a son, Felix, by gestational carrier in March. [Photo: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]
Precious balladeer Taylor Swift landed a voice-acting gig that will test her Seussical mettle — a lead role in upcoming animated adaptation of The Lorax alongside Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, and Betty White. This comes on the heels of Katy Perry’s Smurfs contribution, which begs the question: Why don’t all pop stars do more voice-acting? Let’s help five others out with suggestions for animated roles.
On the heels of today’s confirmation that 20-year-old Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence will play Katniss Everdeen, the 16-year-old heroine of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games adaptation, EW caught up with director Gary Ross to get his explanation of the casting move. According to the interview, Lawrence’s age and her blonde hair — details that raised fan eyebrows when the Winter’s Bone star first emerged as a front-runner — are of no matter to Ross, who says the choice was “the easiest casting decision I ever made in my life.” And if it makes any difference, Suzanne Collins apparently agrees.
Unlike her past two naked picture scandals, Vanessa Hudgens does not have Zac Efron to confide in. But in light of yet another round of nude photos spreading across the Internet , the Sucker Punch star has a different man to whom she can turn: actor Josh Hutcherson. Rumors of these former co-stars (they filmed Journey 2: The Mysterious Island in late 2010) dating started to surface a couple weeks ago. Are they an official item? We don’t know. But they did take a motorcycle ride in Studio City yesterday, ending up at Vanessa’s house, as seen here: Possible Janessa alert! [Photo: Pacific Coast News]
