Moviefone Editorial

Tag: @movieid:57771

  • Is ‘Hunger Games’ $101M Opening Weekend Really a Bad Thing?

    When is a movie that opens with an estimated $101.0 million a box office disappointment?

    Sure, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” topped the charts, becoming the fifth biggest debut of 2015 and the eighth biggest November opening ever. But this time, Jennifer Lawrence‘s Katniss had an especially difficult challenge: living up to her franchise’s lofty standards. By that measure, her arrow fell well short of the mark.

    After all, this same weekend last year, “Mockingjay — Part 1” opened with $121.9 million — also slightly lower than pundits expected. And the first two installments opened above $150 million. In fact, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” was the biggest movie of 2013, the biggest November opening in history and the biggest debut ever for a movie built around a female star.

    So “Mockingjay — Part 2” had a lot to live up to. Reviews of the new movie, however, were generally good (70 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), and early tracking suggested that the movie would open with about $120 million. And word-of-mouth among this weekend’s viewers was strong, too, as measured by an A- grade at CinemaScore. It even picked up some IMAX screens discarded by “Spectre,” so there was a likely boost from large-screen ticket surcharges. So to fall $20 million short of expectations makes “Part 2″‘s debut all the more shocking.
    There’ll be lots of second guessing (and making faces like Katniss’) over that $20 million shortfall. Did fan disappointment over “Part 1” poison the well for the finale? Did hype for “Spectre” and the upcoming “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” suck all the oxygen out of the multiplex? Was the film’s competition stronger than expected?

    Not really. Both of the new wide releases challenging Katniss — “The Night Before” (below) and “Secret In Their Eyes” — underperformed this weekend. Plus, there are plenty of strong holdover movies that older audiences are still paying to see, including the new James Bond movie (in second place this weekend, with another estimated $14.6 million), “The Martian” (with an estimated $3.7 million in its eighth week), and “Bridge of Spies” (an estimated $1.9 million this weekend, its sixth).
    “Secret” follows a pattern this fall of grown-up, awards-bating films turning out to be critical or commercial duds — or both. “Everest,” “Black Mass,” “The Walk,” “Steve Jobs,” “Truth,” “Burnt,” “Suffragette,” “The 33,” and “By the Sea” all failed to meet expectations. Only “Spotlight” (which cracked the top 10 this week, reaching eighth place with an estimated $3.6 million as it expanded into 598 theaters) and “Brooklyn” (No. 12, with an estimated $1.2 million as it expanded into 111 theaters) are showing that they could be modest mainstream hits.

    For all the wailing and gnashing of teeth that this weekend’s underperformers will provoke, this was still a very strong week at the box office — the biggest weekend since July.

    This year’s total box office is still a shade ahead of where it was this time a year ago and in 2013, the year that holds the box office record. Besides, “Mockingjay — Part 2,” which has already earned $247 million worldwide, certainly will turn a huge profit.

    But that profit will probably be $50 to $100 million below expectations. In an industry increasingly defined by and dependent upon global blockbusters, that’s a lot of money to leave on the table.
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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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  • Josh Hutcherson Facts: 7 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About the ‘Hunger Games’ Star

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    Josh Hutcherson has been acting since the young age of nine, but it wasn’t until he took on the role of Peeta Mellark in “The Hunger Games” that we really let him into our hearts. So, before we say goodbye to Peeta in the final movie of the franchise, get some fun facts about the actor himself.

    Here are seven things you probably don’t know about Josh Hutcherson.Premiere Of Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" - Arrivals
    [Source: IMDB, Celebuzz]

  • Jennifer Lawrence Falls Again on Red Carpet

    'Los Juegos Del Hambre: Sinsajo - Part 2' Madrid PremiereOops, she did it again! Jennifer Lawrence took yet another tumble on the red carpet, this time at the Madrid premiere of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.”

    Lawrence was wearing a long, flowing Ralph Lauren gown and very high heels, and it appears she caught a shoe in her dress while walking up the stairs. A fan caught the spill on camera:

    This is not the first time the Oscar winner has wiped out at a public event. She very memorably tripped on the stairs while accepting her Academy Award. At the following year’s ceremony, she fell getting out of her car. She’s also experienced near trips, a few minor wardrobe malfunctions, and just a few days ago, she awkwardly and accidentally kissed “Hunger Games” co-star Natalie Dormer at the movie’s London premiere.

    Of course, her clumsiness just makes Lawrence all the more lovable. Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

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  • Jennifer Lawrence Accidentally Kisses Natalie Dormer at ‘Hunger Games’ Premiere

    BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-HUNGER GAMES-MOCKINGJAYJennifer Lawrence kissed a girl — and she liked it!

    The actress had yet another adorably awkward moment on the red carpet of last night’s London premiere of “Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.” Lawrence came up behind co-star Natalie Dormer, who was giving an interview, and greeted her with a kiss. It was meant for the cheek, but Dormer turned her head and their lips met.

    “Oh my god!” Lawrence shrieked, jumping back with a giggle. “We just kissed on camera. And I liked it.”
    The “Game of Thrones” actress wasn’t fazed at all at having a “bit of Jennifer Lawrence” on her face. Then again, who’d complain about getting smooched by JLaw?

    This is the final tour for Lawrence, Dormer, and the other stars of “The Hunger Games.” The saga ends with “Mockingjay – Part 2” on November 20, as Katniss Everdeen leads the revolution to the streets of the Capitol in the hope of deposing the evil President Snow.

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  • ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’ Teaser Promises ‘Epic Finale’

    Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2The epic finale of “The Hunger Games” is just a few weeks away!

    A new TV teaser for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” aired during last night’s World Series game, and it was filled with heart-pumping action, soaring music, and ride-or-die speeches. “This is the end,” Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) tells Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence).

    “If you end all of this, our lives — they mean something,” Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) says. No pressure!
    There’s not a whole lot of new footage, though we get a couple of glimpses of the battle in the trap-filled Capitol streets. The teaser starts with call-outs to the previous three movies, and includes flashes of all the characters we’ve come to know and love (or hate), including Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), and the villainous President Snow (Donald Sutherland).

    “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” opens in theaters November 20.

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  • 7 Times You Fell Hard for Peeta Mellark While Watching ‘The Hunger Games’

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    Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) are the OTP of the “The Hunger Games.” (Sorry, Gale. There’s no room for you.)

    Chief among the many, MANY reasons as to why this is true are all the times Peeta has either a) sacrificed himself for Katniss, b) expressed his affection for Katniss, or c) shown himself to be pretty much perfect boyfriend / best friend material. For now, let’s focus on that last part and run through some of the key moments from the “Hunger Games” franchise that made us fall hard for the fabulous baker boy.

    Here, then, are just a few times your obsession with Peeta Mellark was taken to the next level.josh hutcherson as peeta mellark

  • ‘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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  • New ‘Hunger Games’ Trailer Sets Somber Tone for Final Sequel

    “It’s the things we love most that destroy us,” echoes President Snow (Donald Sutherland) in a new trailer released Tuesday for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.″

    The line serves as a reminder from the preceding film of the close relationship between heroine Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and her sister Primrose (Willow Shields). Flashbacks from various parts of “The Hunger Games” films highlight the District 12 savior’s most touching – and vulnerable – moments with her beloved sister Prim, beginning as a Hunger Games tribute volunteer to save the youngster from near-certain death, “I told her that I would try to win – try to win for her.”

    The late Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who died 2014 and will posthumously make his final appearance in the film’s last installment, is seen as his Plutarch Heavensbee character reminding Katniss of her greater purpose – rebellion leader against the Capitol.

    “I never asked for this, I just wanted to save my sister and keep Peeta alive.”

    Though no new scenes are featured in the teaser, a previous trailer released in July shows Katniss leading an uprising against President Snow, closing the final chapter on the Suzanne Collins book series. “Tonight, turn your weapons to the capital,” she says. “Turn your weapons to Snow!”

    “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” opens Nov. 20.

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