Moviefone Editorial

Tag: mockingjay

  • Jennifer Lawrence Says ‘It’s Too Soon’ for ‘Hunger Games’ Prequels

    There’s been a lot of speculation lately that we may one day see prequels to the recently-wrapped “Hunger Games” series. And while by design they wouldn’t include Jennifer Lawrence‘s Katniss Everdeen, the actress still thinks that the planned spinoff films may not be the best idea.

    Lawrence touched on that subject during a recent interview with Variety at the premiere of her new film “Joy,” where she chatted with the trade about the possibility of “Hunger Games” prequels. The actress confirmed what we suspected — Katniss definitely won’t be in them — and made it clear that she’s not on #TeamSpinoff.

    “I wouldn’t be involved,” Lawrence told Variety. “I think it’s too soon. They’ve got to let the body get cold, in my opinion.”

    We side with Lawrence on this, especially since “Mockingjay — Part 2” only just premiered a few weeks ago. The idea of “Hunger Games” prequels and spinoffs has been floated since at least the time that “Mockingjay — Part 1” premiered, when director Francis Lawrence discussed the possibility in relation to another soon-to-be-revived franchise, “Harry Potter.” But “Potter” prequel “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” waited five years to revisit J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world (“Deathly Hallows Part 2” bowed in 2011, and “Beasts” is due out in 2016); a similar delay would seem appropriate for Suzanne Collins’s series, too.

    Nothing is set in stone just yet, so these prequels may never materialize after all. (And based on the ho-hum box office for “Mockingjay — Part 2,” it may not be financially beneficial for studio Lionsgate to return to the well, either.) But we want to warn filmmakers to be careful with the “Games”‘s legacy — after all, we all saw what greed did to the citizens of the Capitol.

    [via: Variety]

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  • A ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Could Happen (But It Won’t Star Katniss)

    The end is nigh for the “Hunger Games” franchise, with “Mockingjay — Part 2” hitting theaters today. It’s sad to say goodbye to Katniss and co. — but could there be more stories to tell in Panem?

    “Mockingjay” director Francis Lawrence tackled that question in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, in which he said that if the “Hunger Games” films were to continue, he’d be interested in making a prequel.

    “The interesting part of the story for me is to go back 75 years earlier and see how everything became the way it is,” Lawrence told EW. “I’m sure if [author] Suzanne [Collins] were to get inspired and decide there’s another story that’s important for her to tell that exists within the world of Panem and whether about the Dark Days, another character, or another set of Games, whatever that could be, I’m sure it would be great. And I’d loved to be involved, absolutely.”

    While that’s exciting, Lawrence said that any new “Hunger Games” film would have to focus on different characters, since “with the end of this story, we’ve reached the end of Katniss’s story.”

    “I think that Suzanne created such an iconic character, and I think she’s the main reason why everyone comes back to these stories,” Lawrence continued. “Now, that’s come to an end.”

    The director faced similar questions about continuing the series when “Mockingjay — Part 1” rolled around, and seemed less sure of plans for new films only a year ago. Perhaps Lawrence just isn’t ready to say goodbye to these films yet, either. We can’t blame him.

    “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” is in theaters now.

    [via: Entertainment Weekly]

    Photo credit: Lionsgate

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  • ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’ Final Trailer Will Give You Chills

    mockingjay, mockingjay part 2, final mockingjay trailer, mockingjay final trailer, katniss, hunger gamesWe’ve officially reached the end of the road for the “Hunger Games” series, with the franchise’s final installment, “Mockingjay – Part 2,” due in theaters next month. With that in mind, Lionsgate has delivered an epic, chill-inducing final trailer for the flick that will leave fans wanting more — and make it difficult to come to grips with the series’s end.

    The clip is soundtracked by Katniss’s (Jennifer Lawrence) desperate plea to the people of Panem to help her and the rest of the rebels from District 13 take down President Snow (Donald Sutherland), as she details all the abuses that they have suffered at his hands. Viewers are also given a glimpse at what awaits the fighters inside the Capitol, which has been booby-trapped with a host of horrors to beat back the rebels at any cost — and that includes the loss of many lives.

    The burden of that loss is placed squarely on Katniss’s shoulders, as the trailer also makes it clear that though she wants to defeat Snow, she understands the price she is asking her fellow citizens to pay. Will everything she and others have sacrificed be worth it in the end?

    Fans will find out on November 20, when “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” hits theaters.

    Watch the trailer

    Photo credit: YouTube

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  • The ‘Hunger Games’ Will End in the Final ‘Mockingjay’ Poster

    the hunger games, mockingjay, mockingjay part 2, katnissThe new tagline on the final poster for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” sums up our feelings about the last installment of the series hitting theaters next month: “Nothing can prepare you for the end.” And we’re so not ready to say goodbye.

    But while moviegoers mourn the franchise’s impending conclusion, Katniss and co. have a very real threat to deal with on the big screen, as the battle with and for the Capitol comes to a head. This new poster reflects the heady rush of simultaneous excitement and dread in store for both the characters in the film and the fans watching them, as readers of the “Hunger Games” books already know that things don’t exactly end as happily as they should.

    The image features Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) herself almost aflame as she leaps across a burning background, which includes her signature Mockingjay symbol. It’s a clever progression of the imagery we saw on posters for “Mockingjay — Part 1,” in which she appeared all in black and somewhat withdrawn; here, there’s no mistaking that the Mockingjay herself has officially taken flight, and she’s not going down without a fight.

    Check out the full image below. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” hits theaters on November 20.

    Photo credit: Lionsgate

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  • SDCC: Watch the ‘Hunger Games’ Cast’s Mockingjay Whistle Fail

    The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2″ — even when they’re trying to whistle a tune from their own movie.

    During the “Mockingjay” panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, castmates Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth all tried — and adorably, hilariously failed — to replicate the series’s iconic Mockingjay whistle tone. But the trio, and the rest of their castmates on the panel, just could not nail the four-note melody, which was memorably used by Rue and Katniss in the first film, and brought back throughout the rest of the series as a Mockingjay rallying cry of sorts.

    In video of the incident uploaded by Screen Crush, the actors all try numerous times to get the whistle down right, but to no avail. At one point, Hutcherson imitates crickets, which panel moderator Conan O’Brien joked was a frequent sound during his stand-up routines.

    Hemsworth comes closest to whistling an actual song, but as X-Files” theme. Still in the science fiction genre, still not quite right.

    Check out the hilarious video below, and try not to get too sad when you realize that this is the last “Hunger Games” panel at Comic-Con ever.

    “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” hits theaters on November 20.

    [via: Screen Crush]

    Photo credit: Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP

  • Effie and Katniss Suit Up in New ‘Mockingjay – Part 2’ Photo

    Mockingjay, hunger gamesA new photo from “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” reveals that there’s plenty of girl power to go around in the final installment in the massively popular YA franchise.

    Entertainment Weekly shared the snap, which features Effie (Elizabeth Banks) appearing to help Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) prep for battle — and sport a killer outfit, naturally. Banks’s bubbly stylist and Lawrence’s feisty heroine are just two of several key female characters who make “Mockingjay” tick, and as director Francis Lawrence explained to EW, that’s entirely by design.

    “There is some serious girl power in this movie,” Lawrence told the magazine, adding that “Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins’s work was the backbone for establishing that tone. “She wrote it that way, and it’s been so much fun to inhabit,” Lawrence said.

    Check out the photo of Effie and Katniss below, and be on the lookout for new characters played by Gwendoline Christie and Michelle Forbes when “Mockingjay” hits theaters.

    “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” is due out on November 20.

    [via: Entertainment Weekly]

    Photo credit: Murray Close via Entertainment Weekly

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  • Katniss Is Ready to Fight in First Image From ‘Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’

    Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2In “Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1,” Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) joined the fight against President Snow. Now, in “Part 2,” she’s ready to take the battle to the Capitol itself.

    Lawrence shared a first look photo from “Mockingjay – Part 2” on Facebook, and it shows Katniss armed and armored alongside Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claflin), and Messalla (Evan Ross). They’re kneeling amidst rubble in a war zone, and appear to be scouting or waiting to pounce on the enemy.

    Lawrence included a very interesting caption with the photo: “6.9.15 #MockingjayPart2 #Unite.” What’s going to happen on June 9? Possibly, that’s when the first trailer for the movie will be released. We’ll be keeping an eye out for that.

    “Mockingjay – Part 2” concludes the “Hunger Games” saga. As Katniss and crew make their way into the Capitol to assassinate President Snow, she’ll face dangerous foes and difficult decisions along the way. The movie opens in theaters November 20.

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  • The Capitol Crumbles in New ‘Mockingjay – Part 2’ Poster

    A new poster for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” promises plenty of destruction in the final chapter in the blockbuster film franchise — and perhaps the downfall of President Snow (Donald Sutherland) himself.

    The one-sheet features a statue of the leader of Panem that’s been destroyed, his marble head lying in a heap of rubble at the statue’s feet. Cracks riddle the rest of the structure, and behind it, in bold, blood red, is the symbol of the Mockingjay, spraypainted in defiance over Snow’s stone body.

    Like past entries in the “Hunger Games” franchise, “Mockingjay – Part 2” is employing some nifty viral marketing, and the new poster is part of that, featuring the hashtag #UNITE and directing fans to visit revolution.pn for more information about the rebellion. The official “Hunger Games” Facebook page also urges followers to visit thecapitol.pn, which has been taken over by rebels and features prominently the same striking image as the poster.

    Check out the full image below, and get excited for more fun promotions in the months leading up to the film’s release. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” hits theaters on November 20.
    mockingjay, the hunger games: mockingjay - part 2
    [via: The Hunger Games]

    Photo credit: Lionsgate

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  • ‘American Sniper’ Takes Out ‘Mockingjay’ to Snag 2014 Box Office Crown

    First, Katniss Everdeen trumped Star-Lord; now, Chris Kyle has taken down the Mockingjay.

    “American Sniper” has officially surpassed “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” to become the highest-grossing movie of 2014, raking in $337.2 million at the domestic box office. While the majority of that money came from the film’s wide release in January 2015, its initial Christmas Day limited release date officially makes it 2014’s champ.

    That jaw-dropping total bested both “Mockingjay” ($336.9 million) and “Guardians of the Galaxy” ($333.17 million), and is the first non-sequel or franchise flick to win the annual box office crown since “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” did it way back in 2000. It’s also the first R-rated movie to top the yearly box office rankings since “Saving Private Ryan” in 1998 (and also beat “Ryan” as highest-grossing war movie).

    “Sniper” has now pulled in over $500 million at the international box office, and is still in theaters. It may yet have more records to break on the horizon.

    [via: Forbes]

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  • ‘Mockingjay’ Tops ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ as 2014’s Highest-Grossing Film


    Katniss Everdeen has outdone Peter Quill: “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” has officially surpassed “Guardians of the Galaxy” as 2014’s highest-grossing film.

    The tallies are almost identical, but “Mockingjay” has come away with the slight upper hand, raking in $333.18 million at the domestic box office since its November 21 bow. That’s only incrementally better than “Guardians,” which has so far made $333.17 million in North America, but good enough for the win.

    Deadline reports that this is nothing new for Katniss and co., who also bested Marvel in 2013, when “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” initially lost out to “Iron Man 3” in the box office war, before claiming victory in January. And it marks the second year in a row that a female-led flick has taken the box office crown, a big coup in diversity-challenged Hollywood.

    There will be another showdown between the two companies next year, too, since Marvel has “Avengers: Age of Ultron” due out on May 1, and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” is coming on November 20. Whichever one reigns supreme, it looks like we’re in for another year of big blockbusters.

    [via: Deadline]

    Photo credit: Lionsgate

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