Catching Fire Movie
Lionsgate
Francis Lawrence Confirmed to Direct ‘Catching Fire’
It’s official! Francis Lawrence has joined the “Hunger Games” Movie franchise and has a special message just for YOU:
Hello fellow Hunger Games fans! I just want you all to know how unbelievably excited and honored I am to be a part of Catching Fire. At the end of the day, all of the work that I put in to my movies is for you — the fans. Make sure to post and let me know what you’re most excited to see in this adaptation as we aim to make something truly faithful and spectacular!
Here’s what Mr. Lawrence had to say about the books and how he feels directing the sequel:
It is truly an honor and a privilege to bring Catching Fire, the second chapter of Suzanne’s beloved trilogy, to the big screen. I fell in love with the characters, the themes and the world she created and this chapter opens all of these elements up in such a thrilling, emotional and surprising way. I can’t wait to dive right into it and bring this chapter to life along with the truly superb cast and filmmakers involved.
Hearing that Francis Lawrence is a fan of the “Hunger Games” is a huge relief, and he seems to have the right mindset going into this project. I can’t wait to see what results from this change up!
How do you feel about Francis Lawrence as Director in light of this new information?
Read the full press release below.
Mad Money’s Jim Cramer is a Katniss Everdeen Fan
It seems you can find Hunger Games fandom in the most unexpected places these days. While taking a call yesterday on the CNBC show Mad Money, host Jim Cramer offered his thoughts on not just the Lions Gate Entertainment Corporations stock, but on the franchise itself.
I am a Katniss Everdeen Fan, alright, I believe she will be a great figure… and yes, I will be there opening night.”
As for his opinion on Lions Gate’s stock (NYSE: LGF)? Buy, buy, buy! The stock has already seen a hefty boost since the pre-sale tickets have done so well.
[CNBC]
Lionsgate and Funtactix to Launch ‘The Hunger Games Adventures’
Lionsgate is joining forces with social game developer Funtactix to create “The Hunger Games Adventures,” which they plan to have up and running the day the “Hunger Games” Movie releases (March 23rd in case you’ve been hiding in a cave for the past few months!). “The Hunger Games Adventures” is the official game of the series and will feature a map of Panem, including the manner in which the districts are arranged.
According to Business Wire, “The Hunger Games Adventures” is a social game where “players will explore Panem and complete missions that will take them to each of the Districts and the Capitol where they will interact with the familiar characters from the book. With each mission they complete, they will advance their own storyline within the world. Details for the Map of Panem will be rolled out in the game with a steady stream of chapter expansions as the game, and the world, reveals itself over time.”
Funtactix CEO Sam Glassenberg had this to say about the opportunity:
As a company that wants to align itself with the most beloved entertainment properties and passionate fans in the world, joining forces with Lionsgate on The Hunger Games was a very easy decision. Suzanne Collins’ amazing novel delivers an unbelievably detailed world that completely immerses the reader. Fans want to enter this world, interact with the characters and truly become a part of it. That is the magic that THE HUNGER GAMES ADVENTURES will provide to the millions of people who love the book series and watch the movie.
As for what Lionsgate has to say about this collaboration, Joe Drake asserts that they picked Funtactix with the fans and their overwhelming dedication in mind.
What makes fans of The Hunger Games so amazing is the level of personal investment they have in the characters and the story. We chose Funtactix to create this game because they bring the level of authenticity and quality to their movie-based social games that is crucial to fans of The Hunger Games.
I’m not a big social game person, but I gotta admit this sounds awesome! Prepare to drain several hours of your life away come March 23rd, folks.
[Source: Business Wire]
Hungers Games, Twilight and Harry Potter; Lionsgate & Summit Merger and Tentpole Movies: The Big Picture
With the talk of Summit & Lionsgate merging coupled with all-too-common comparisons of The Hunger Games to both Twilight and Harry Potter, what does the big picture look like? What does it all mean for The Hunger Games? More…
Talks of Possible New Merger with Lionsgate and Summit
A new article in The Wrap states that negotiations are back on between Lionsgate and Summit. Lionsgate is preparing for a blockbuster hit with The Hunger Games, while Summit, the studio behind the Twilight Saga franchise, has just released Breaking Dawn in theaters. Previously these two studios have been in negotiations before, but definite agreements have never been made, possibly due to money and how much the companies are worth. Nonetheless it seems like the two are in discussions again and hopefully we will hear more soon. According to The Wrap representatives from both Lionsgate and Summit have refused comment on the subject. We will keep you updated!
[Source: The Wrap via Movies.com]
‘The Hunger Games’ will Screen in China!
Each year in China 20 foreign films are ‘okayed’ by authorities to be seen on the big screen and The Hunger Games will be one of 20! The Hollywood Reporter also reported that Lionsgate already has a plan for merchandising:
With much hinging on how The Hunger Games performs in theaters, Lionsgate is also eyeing an aggressive merchandising program to emerge alongside a lucrative movie franchise from the teen book trilogy.
Vancouver-based Lionsgate has lined up Striker Entertainment, the same licensing and merchandising agency that handles the Twilight franchise for Summit Entertainment.
“We have the same A-team on board. With their guidance, we will be strong in specialty stores, be very present, but not over-push merchandise going into the theatrical release,” Drake told analysts.
The strategy is to first establish the theatrical movie brand before advancing aggressively into big box retailers with The Hunger Games merchandise.
Lionsgate executives also met with international distribution partners at the American Film Market last week, screening the trailer for The Hunger Games and discussing a global day-and-date release pattern.
[Source: The Hollywood Reporter]
Lionsgate Putting Everything Into ‘The Hunger Games’ – Hoping For More Sequels
With Lionsgate recently making a string of “box-office bombs” and bad decision making when it comes to spending they really seem to be putting everything on the line for The Hunger Games movie. In an interview with the bosses, Jon Feltheimer and Michael Burns, they reveal how much money, effort, and faith they are putting into the movie. This should please the fans that they are really working hard to make this a blockbuster success! It’s all or nothing with Lionsgate right now, and I for one am happy with their dedication! What are the thoughts of the fans?? Let us know in the Comments! Here is part of the article, and click ‘More’ below to read even more!
“Hey, we’ve got something really special here,” says Feltheimer, 60, Lions Gate’s co-chairman and chief executive officer. Burns, 53, the studio’s vice chairman, praises Jennifer Lawrence, the 21-year-old actress who plays the film’s bow- wielding heroine. “She looks like she could start a revolution,” he says.
“We would be disappointed if we didn’t make three or four movies,” Feltheimer says.
“The Hunger Games could be the biggest catalyst for Lions Gate’s profits and share price during the next decade,” Marsh says. “It could be a game changer for them.”
Feltheimer and Burns have reason to be optimistic. The movie is based on the first volume of a trilogy with 12 million copies in print in the U.S. and editions in 44 foreign markets, according to Scholastic Inc., the book’s New York-based publisher.
Author Suzanne Collins’s teen protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, who dispatches her enemies with cunning and violence even as she experiences her first romance, has inspired scores of fan websites, blogs and Facebook pages. The Marlborough School, a private academy for girls in grades 7 through 12 in Los Angeles, is one of many that have added the books to their reading lists.
Feltheimer, whose chiseled jaw and deep-set eyes could get him cast in a Western, nods in agreement. He says “The Hunger Games” must hit $100 million in domestic box office sales to justify making sequels. “I’m not too concerned we won’t get to that kind of number,” the studio head says.
He points to an issue of “Entertainment Weekly” magazine on a coffee table. It features two of the film’s hunky young stars, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, on the cover. “There’s just too much heat for this property around the world,” he says.
Lionsgate Releases New Synopsis of The Hunger Games
Well yesterday was a big day with the release of the 8 character posters for The Hunger Games. Today Lionsgate has also released a new synopsis of the movie itself. Take a look if you need a refresher! As well don’t forget to register at www.thecapitol.pn to be assigned a district and receive the latest news from The Capitol in anticipation of the 74th Hunger Games.
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.
Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, with a screenplay by Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, the first in a trilogy published by Scholastic that has over 12 million copies in print in the United States alone, has developed a massive global following. It has spent more than 157 consecutive weeks/more than three consecutive years to date on The New York Times bestseller list since its publication in September 2008, and has also appeared consistently on USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists.
Thanks Lionsgate!
Lionsgate Hires Lawrence Szabo, Mind Behind James Bond TV Distribution
More great news today from Lionsgate after the recent announcement they hired Terry Press as a consultant to market the Hunger Games series. They’ve nabbed the mastermind behind the distribution of the James Bond franchise across pay and free-to-air TV channels. He previously worked for MGM.
Mr. Szabo’s North American distribution responsibilities will include sales of all Lionsgate television content across all platforms in the U.S. and all new television content to digital and traditional media platforms in Canada as well as coordinating with Alliance Films on distribution of the Lionsgate filmed entertainment library in Canada.
What does this mean for Hunger Games fans? If you’ve seen a James Bond film on your television set recently, it was probably the work of Lawrence Szabo, who worked for MGM over the last 18 years. Now that he’s on the Lionsgate team, The Hunger Games and other Lionsgate properties will be getting the royal treatment when it comes to spreading them across a variety of television platforms.
This can only be a good thing! It’s good to see that Lionsgate is taking a proactive approach to making sure it’s on a level playing field with the other studios, allowing properties as diverse as Pulp Fiction, Apocalypse Now, Amelie, Scream, Dead Alive, Dirty Dancing, Nurse Jackie, Mad Men, Tyler Perry, Weeds, Terminator 2, Saw and Requiem for a Dream to spread their wings. Lionsgate now has a tried-and-true pro behind the wheel for North American TV distribution.
Full press release ahead.
Marketing for Hunger Games will be a Full-Court Press with Hire of Terry Press
A lot is riding on the release of The Hunger Games for Lionsgate. It’s a bit of a gamble for the company, as they are spending quite a bit on making the movie. They’ve decided to hire a high-profile and experienced marketing executive, Terry Press, as a consultant for the release of the film.
Press worked for Dreamworks for a decade till 2007 and now runs her own company. Last year she worked on The Social Network, the so-called “Facebook movie”. It went on to land on 78 critics’ top 10 list for 2010 and on 22 of those as numer one.
Though The Social Network had no fancy special effects, action sequences or comic book tie-ins like the typical blockbuster movies nowadays, it went on to gross $96,962,694 in the United States and $127,957,621 elsewhere, for a worldwide total of $224,920,315.
Her hire marks the first time that Lionsgate has recruited a consultant to work under marketing president Tim Palen. It has more at stake with “The Hunger Games” than on any film before: It’s Lionsgate’s most expensive production and the first of four planned pictures that Wall Street analysts are expecting to bring in hundreds of millions in profits.
Lionsgate’s motion picture group, run by President Joe Drake, is in a difficult spot because of the disappointing performances of “Conan the Barbarian,” “Warrior” and “Abduction” over the last two months.
Lionsgate has also recruited a new executive to run its distribution department, which plans release dates and books films in theaters. Chris Leroy, a former executive vice president of distribution at Walt Disney Studios, is now interim president of distribution for Lionsgate, reporting to Drake. He was the No. 2 distribution executive at Disney until early this year, when he left along with a wave of others who have departed under new Chairman Rich Ross.
The department had been run for the last two years by David Spitz, executive vice president of distribution, who now reports to Leroy.
The changes indicate that Lionsgate management believes its recent woes lie not in the quality of the movies its production executives are making but with its distribution department, and also that its marketing group needs high-powered assistance on “Hunger Games.”
