And fans of "The Hunger Games" here?
And fans of "The Hunger Games" here?
#1And fans of "The Hunger Games" here?
Posted: 10/12/11 at 12:15am
I'm a HUGE fan of the book series and I'm particularly excited about the movie adaptations coming up.
I think I love the books so much is that they're very much fiction but, what's so scary is it's an utterly conceivable vision of the future.
What's wonderful about the world's created by J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer are that they're so fantastical that we can really escape into the fantasy.
With "The Hunger Games" there's this sense of urgency in reading because Suzanne Collins manages to create her own world but draw on how savage humans can be and how we truly observe one another for our entertainment. Her own sick version of "reality TV," as it were. But her characters and their utter determination and love intertwines to create an addictive story.
I was thinking about who I'd like to see as Finnick Odair in the movie adaptation of "Catching Fire" and all I can think of is Garrett Hedlund ("Tron: Legacy," "Country Strong"). He's an extremely attractive gentleman, as the role calls for, but he has the chops to really show his vulnerability when it comes to who he really loves.
And, I've known for a while I'd love to see Meryl Streep play President Coin in "Mockingjay." I don't know if she'd really be interested in appearing in the third installment of a series. But, what I love about Meryl is that it's more about the character than it is about how big of a part it is.
Anyone else have thoughts to share?
#2And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 12:52am
I LOVE The Hunger Games, it really ought to be on everyone's To Read shelf at some point before the movie comes out.
As for Finnick and Coin, they are such important roles to cast. I really hope they go after someone who is able to act moreso than someone who is just "attractive enough" to play Finnick. Someone age-appropriate too. And if they can get someone with a name like Meryl Streep or Helen Mirren for President Coin, that would be insanely awesome. Both women would own that role.
#2And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 1:22am
CyCoSpAz, I really think Garrett Hedlund has the chops for it. He's still fairly new to Hollywood and I think "TRON: Legacy" is what really put him on the map. However, I don't know if his obligations for the "TRON" sequels will allow him to make a commitment like this. And, I think his age works well. He's 27, but can play younger. I think that'd be perfect as he is a past Hunger Games winner so he should be older than the current tributes like Peeta and Katniss. He's been a mentor for a while.
I didn't even think of Mirren for President Coin. She'd also be wonderful. It really is a great role and I'd love to see a well-known actress step into it, like Streep or Mirren. Obviously, we're way ahead of ourselves as the release date is 2015 but, it's fun to think about.
#3And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 1:42am
I think they're very well-suited for the screen. Collins has a very lean, spare prose at her best times. I love the story of the books, though I think they have some major failings with the handling of subtext. Collins likes to beat her readers over the head with every plot twist and explain the entire thought process in a way that is very frustrating and almost insulting to read. It also makes Katniss look exceedingly dumb at many different times, because we are given such clear evidence of the coming plot twist.
I think their popularity comes from content and a quick, lean style of prose, and I totally devoured them, but I think Collins' writing still leaves a lot to be desired. I think I might like them more on the screen.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#4And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 4:21am
This is scheduled to be released in March 2012. They are done filming and possibly even done with editing, so casting is beyond complete. (Of course, if you are just talking about in a dream world...go forth.)
Here is all the info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/
I was at the movies this weekend, poster up in the lobby -- but no trailer yet. There are some pix on the link I provided.
#5And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 9:08am
There is a teaser showing Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in the forest looking for danger with either Peeta or Gale giving a pep talk in voice-over. It played on MTV's VMA Awards, IIRC:
Teaser
#6And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:04amI read the books and found them interesting, but I guess I wasn't as huge a fan because the dystopian society she created has been explored many times over from Thea von Harbou's Metropolis to Stephen King's The Long Walk and The Running Man. Even the original Rollerball came to mind. The themes of man's bloodlust as entertainment within a new Fascist society is always an interesting take in science fiction as a warning that history will repeat itself. I guess the one layer Collins added was the reality TV aspect, which was an interesting draw that added more relevancy to the story. The first book was the best of the three for me. The second seemed redundant and the third sort of started becoming more or less a video game plot towards the end. Reading them, it really felt like they were written specifically with film and video game tie-ins in mind from the start.
#7And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:45am
dramamama, I'm aware that the movie has been filmed.
That is of the first book, "The Hunger Games." My casting ideas are for the second and third novel in the series: "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay." Neither of their movie adaptations are even in pre-production yet.
Believe me, I've seen all the teasers and have kept up with news.
#8And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:47am
Mister Matt, Suzanne Collins spent a great deal of time as a screenwriter in the 90s for many popular pre-teen/teen shows.
So, it doesn't surprise me that her narrative seems tailored for the screen.
timote316
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
#9And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 8:49pm
Absolutely loved this book series.
I also love your suggestions for Finnick and Coin. I hadn't thought about Hedlund previously, but now that you mention him, he's perfect. I read a blog post or something a few weeks back that suggested Chris Hemsworth as Finnick... if it wasn't for the obvious reason why he couldn't do the role, I'd love him, too.
#10And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 9:10pm
The series really had me feeling all over the place. I was going through a VERY rough time when I read them, so it was the escape I needed to keep my mind occupied. I had mixed feelings with the first book, feeling disgusted and frustrated the first quarter of the book, then getting sucked in and couldn't put it down. Second one was probably my favorite, third was alright until the end. I was VERY disappointed and expected more. I can't wait for the movie though, and I'm VERY curious to see how they're going to work around the violence to get an appropriate rating for the audience the books is geared for. It could be pretty graphic.
As far as future casting, Streep could be perfect! Still don't know who I picture as Finnick.
LilMiZBroADwaY23
Broadway Star Joined: 8/11/04
#11And fans of
Posted: 10/12/11 at 9:43pm
HUGE fan of the series. I've always had Ryan Reynolds pictured as Finnick. He has the beach boy, cocky attitude down.
sabrelady
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#12And fans of
Posted: 10/14/11 at 10:49pm
Liked this series very much. Yes the distopian future world is a standard in the world of scyfy/speculative fiction but Collins put some nice twists on the theme. And yes, I could almost see a shot list, some of them were so clear they were almost story boards. SPOILER
The shot Katniss makes on the apples- seriously- could visulize the shot.
End spoiler
Don't think Streep would be so good for this, too much like the charcter in The Manchurian Candidate remake she did. Maybe Wynona Ryder? Jodie Foster?
#13And fans of
Posted: 11/14/11 at 10:12pm
NOW I'm even more excited for this movie.
Hunger Games Official Trailer
#14And fans of
Posted: 11/14/11 at 10:57pm
The trailer looks great. I read the series, and thought the first was by far the best, the last by far the weakest. The problem I had with the second is that I knew it was just filling until I got to the third.
I think the casting has been pretty inspired so far, and will be interested in seeing the movie.
#15And fans of
Posted: 11/15/11 at 8:16amI loved the trailer too--this will probably be a tough film to watch, but I'm looking foward to it. I wouldn't mind if they just filmed the first book--I didn't care for the second and third as much.
eatlasagna
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#16And fans of
Posted: 2/20/12 at 8:26pmso I downloaded the trilogy on my Kindle... was completely hooked on Hunger Games and I didn't want to stop... excellent read... started Catching Fire and I'm enjoying it as well... some great characters in this series... hopefully I'll enjoy the third book seeing as how most seem to feel it's the weakest.... i'm excited for the movie! which while reading Catching Fire it doesn't seem like it would be an interesting movie to watch so far.. but then again I just finished part 1... part 2 and 3 might be different
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#17And fans of
Posted: 2/21/12 at 8:49am
eatlasagna, Catching Fire picks up big time in the second section. From there, the narrative doesn't rest until the end of the third book.
I'm excited for this film. The caliber of the production staff alone is going to make at least the first one a must see event.
#18And fans of
Posted: 2/21/12 at 9:16amI just started The Hunger Games yesterday and I am almost done with book 1. It's hard to put down!
#19And fans of
Posted: 2/22/12 at 5:02am
I am going to start reading the first book this week in anticipation of the movie's release. My friend has been after me to read for the longest.
That trailer looks great!
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