The Hunger Games is almost here! If you couldn’t tell, I’m a little bit excited for next Friday’s event and have already secured tickets just so I don’t have to wait in line with the unwashed masses. (That’s as close to Goop as I’ll ever get, people.) My 11-year-old daughter is also looking forward to the movie as well because it was part of my latest nefarious literacy deal with her — in order to read Twilight, she had to read The Hunger Games first. This was a necessary demand because I wanted her to reap the benefits of an authentic heroine instead of falling into the trap of adoring the whiny, codependent Bella Swan who lives for her men. In contrast, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) couldn’t give a damn if she ends up with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Gale (Liam Hemsworth), or nobody in the long term. Nope, Katniss has goals, objectives, and ideals that have nothing to do with the approval of a man.
At the same time, I will concede that taking sides between Peeta and Gale is part of the fun here, and I am fully team Peeta. (My daughter calls him “Pita” and insists that Katniss’ name should’ve been “Hummus” instead. In her defense, we have been eating a lot of Greek food lately.) Luckily, there are some new clips that have surfaced, and the latest one features Peeta confessing his crush on Katniss right before (SPOILER ALERT) she whoops ass on him while thinking it’s all a publicity stunt:
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Here’s the clip where Katniss meets Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) for the first time. From what I can tell, Lenny is playing this character in a slightly less flamboyant manner than anticipated:
And here’s a clip where Katniss is showing the gamemakers what she’s got, only they aren’t watching. I love the way she gets their attention:
So who else is excited out there? I am fangirling all over this movie not only because the books are great but also because this is such an intelligent alternative to the Twilight madness that has dominated for the past couple of years.
Photos courtesy of AllMoviePhoto
im so excited!
Gah!!!!! I can’t wait to watch this movie.
You summed up my attitude about “Twilight” versus “Hunger Games” perfectly. (And excellent work on the literacy deal with your daughter!)
SO PUMPED!!!
Aahh!!! I am so excited!!!
So excited. I have tickets to a matinee on the Saturday. I’m not watching any trailers though. I want to take it all in when I see the movie!
**FANGIRL SQUEEEEEE**
I can’t wait!!!!!!!
Me!!! I am excited!!! Love Peeta!
I’m a huge fan. I can’t wait to see the movie. My niece is a reader and she’s the one who turned me onto Twilight (way before the masses even heard of it) and the HUnger Games trilogy too. While the Twilight movies are pretty terrible, I could just never see Kristen Stewart as Bella and was biased from the get got. With HG I think the cast is great and I’m so excited to see Woody as Haymitch.
to me, both of these actors just look to beefy and filled out and voluptuous to have come from district 13. i actually would have preferred kristen stewart in this, since she is small and lithe and malnourished looking. peeta looks a little too cali-surfboard to me.
Agree…Think Josh and Jennifer are excellent actors, but they just seem so wrong for the parts…Don’t hate me, super Hunger Games fans…Just, Peeta is supposed to look bulky and strong and Katniss is supposed to be small (part of the reason the others underestimate her)…While Jennifer has an awesome body, she has curves and is average size…I really wish Haille Steinfeld had been cast (girl from True Grit). She had the right skin tone, rangy, delicate look and can act.
Well, in the book, they do make the comment that because Gale and Katniss hunt, their families are better nourished than most of the other families in the district, and Peeta and his family bake, so they’ve got food too. So, I get why the characters are a little beefier.
Also, erm, District 12. Sorry, but I’m all up in the fangirl groove here.
My 11 year old niece just finished the Hunger Games trilogy and loved it. I have to say that I’m proud of her as she has no interest in Twilight and only likes lead characters with strength of character.
I am so excited for this movie! I have two little girls 7 and 5, and I keep telling them, as they watch over my shoulder when I am watching any preview I can get, that this is how a girl should be. Tough, more worried about how she is going to survive than what boy she wants to be with.
I can’t wait for it to finally be here!!
I loved the books and can’t wait for the movie! I’m hoping that it is just as exciting.
Fangirling here too – I read Twilight and I refuse to subject myself to any more torture by watching the movies. Too bad my due date is three days after the opening night… I will just have to wait!
Really excited for these movies. The books were addicting and so much better than twilight!
Tucci is KILLING it!!!!!!!
Love me some Tucc!
I’m tired of avoiding clips! Must resist. Ahh!
I like deal with your daughter. What does she think of the two?
Well, she still loves Edward Cullen. But she likes Peeta even more. Maybe they’ll have standup Hunger Games posters soon – that sounds like an ideal Christmas present to me. 😉
As for the books (and not just the boys), she enjoyed Hunger Games more.
*high fives your daughter*
Like the cutout Edward/Jacob Nordstroms had during New Moon promo? LOL
I am avoiding the Peeta clip (the other two I’ve already seen), I want to see all of that played out not just a little snipit. I don’t want to see any Katniss and Peeta spoiler clips!
Liam Hemsworth. SO FINE. Team Gale.
Agreed, the dude playing Peeta does nothing for me.
I agree that Hutcherson isn’t Hemsworth-pretty, but Peeta’s most important qualities were his character, charm and personality. I’m thinking Hutch must be able to deliver some of that … at least judging from his behind-the-scenes, stuff. He has a very easy and personable style IRL. I haven’t seen it so much in the clips, but we’re not seeing the clips where that would come through much.
I was the same way too, I couldn’t understand why they cast Hutcherson in the part when they had Hemsworth’s crazy hotness right in front of them. But now I’m more optimistic thinking there must be something about Hutcherson that made the producers overlook Hemsworth’s beauty. Everyone knows looks usually trump talent in Hollywood so it made me go hmmmmm.
I have my tickets already, too. I cannot wait!
going to the premiere with 7 friends 😀
So excited! Can’t wait to watch it!
I’m really excited!! Reading Mockingjay over Spring Break this week. I will probably wait to see it for a couple of weeks because I want the madness to die down.
Question! I’ve seen it mentioned here and in other CB articles that Lenny Kravitz was playing a more subdued, less flamboyant version of Cinna – but my memory from the books was that Cinna WAS subdued and less flamboyant. This was highlighted by the fact that EVERYONE ELSE from the Capital was incredibly over the top – not just in dress, but behavior.
Check out the Hunger Games wiki.
http://thehungergames.wikia.com/wiki/Cinna
They say he’s enigmatic.
Yeah, I got that too. The other stylists were super flamboyant, but Cinna was definitely a calming influence, which is why Katniss was so easy to trust and like him.
Same here. Collins made a point when we first met Cinna of noting his subdued style.
Right. Cinna has just a pop of gold eyeliner that sets him apart, yet makes him different from his crew. I never got flamboyant off the character, just stylish.
Yeah, Cinna was introduced to us as a “first timer” – that is, this is his first Hunger Games. He rejects the trivial superficiality of the Capitol (and we see why later in the series).
For their higher purposes, Haymitch has attempted to ensure that everyone surrounding Katniss doesn’t fall into the typical Capitol mode.
I got all three books in the mail on THursday and I finished ALL of them this weekend! Can’t wait! 😀
And yes Team Peeta! -but I really love them both!
Dang. That’s some HG commitment.
Well normally that would have been impossible -but I was sick so I was in bed most the weekend and I also read insanely fast. I couldn’t put them down!
SO EXCITED! And fangirling so hard over the Peeta clip <3 Favorite fictional male character ever, and the casting is spot on!
Beyond fangirling!! Went to see Star Wats in 3D for the bf and our exchange is that he was to watch the Hunger Games opening weekend, without mocking. So. Excited!
I am FIRMLY Team Peeta (well, mostly Team Katniss, but you get the picture), but given the choice between Liam and Josh, it’s a no brainer…Liam all the way. Also, in that Peeta clip he just seems so emotionless and over it.
I’m just so nervous for the movie. I love the story and I don’t want them to ruin it.
I know! Was about to post” Team Liam. Team Peeta.” Not necessarily Team Gale or Josh H.
I feel the EXACT same way. From the clips I’ve seen none of the actors have managed to capture their characters. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson both seem so emotionless. Woody Harrelson hasn’t been surly enough.
I’m worried.
Of everyone, I’m *least* worried about Woody Harrelson. He will nail it. I’m actually most worried about Liam Hemsworth.
My friend has a tshirt that says “I love the boy with the bread.”
I somehow managed not to snatch it off her. Just barely.
Bedhead, here’s another recommendation for your daughter to read; Plain Kate, by Erin Bow. It’s dark, about a 12 yr old girl who has to sell her shadow to a witch. There is no love interest in it at all, which is refreshing. Just a strong girl trying to do her best in a crappy situation, with the best cat EVER!!!! It won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7877239-plain-kate
Thanks, I will check that out!
Katniss is so badass, Cinna is GORGEOUS, and Peeta is just the right amount of vulnerable yet tough. Lookin’ forward to it!
excited for THG, but can’t get over the fact that Peeta looks like the love child of ernest borgnine and james cagney who accidentally spilled peroxide all over his hair. Or was it an accident?
I’m SO freakin’ excited for this movie. I’m sort of bummed about the dress she’s in during the interview, though. She’s supposed to be the “girl on fire” not the “girl in a plain orange dress.” It’s supposed to be a major spectacle. Hopefully, they’re just not showing that part. The dress I see here is borrrrrring.
I think the effect is being added…I read a big article in Entertainment Weekly and Gary Ross said something about the dress not looking right and that they had to keep working on it.
Can’t wait!
I am Team Peeta from the books but Team Gale for the movies. I can’t NOT be Team Liam that boy is one tall glass of lemonade. Yum, yum. Josh looks like a creepy little kid.
I am nearly finished book 2. I am completely loving them and totally team Peeta. I would love to see who they end up casting as Finnick.
I ended up loving Finnick. I can’t even think of an actor to play him.
haha this is hilarious! my friend and i had a 20 minute conversation yesterday about who could play finnick. should we be ashamed? I don’t think so.
Basically we think someone who looks like ryan gosling. but not ryan gosling.
I was thinking Chace Crawford, because he’s so beautiful. But, dont know if he could pull off the acting. Maybe Ian Somerholder?
Taylor Kitsch for Finnick.
Wow, big year for the Hemsworth brothers with both The Hunger Games and Snow White coming out.
double comment deleted.
Armie Hammer as Finnick gets my vote. And Kristin Bell as Johanna? I heard she is gunning for the part. I see more of a ScarJo type in that role.
Arnie would be good as Finnick…but I am REALLY rooting for Ryan Kwanten from True Blood! He is from Australia, and used to be an award winning swimmer and surfer (so he has the water sports thing down). He looks GREAT nearly naked.
He is also a great actor…I saw him on Law and Order and was amazed at how different from Jason Stackhouse he can be!
For me, Ryan’s a bit too old (though he looks younger than his actual age). But Armie just might work, he’s the right age and he can act.
Both would be able to give you the initial impression of a spoiled Games winner, who’s a handsome lothario and all that, but in reality someone entirely different.
@wareagleash, I hope not an actual ScarJo in the HG movies.
Ryan’s too short for Finnick. I’m still liking Taylor Kitsch, but I can see Armie, too, I guess.
Remember, whomever it is has to be able to carry Mags and/or Peeta. So I’m thinkin’ Taylor or Armie.
I am fangirling for this HARDCORE. AGGH I can’t wait. THIS MOVIE BETTER NOT SUCK!!!! 😀
meh, i don’t know about josh playing peeta. he seems so smug and over it =/ peeta is suspose to be more sincere…
I can’t get over how much J Lawrence looks like a young Renee Zellweger.
I’ve got lots of opinions about casting but I think they did OK, except that I pictured Peeta to look like a young Brad Pitt. This Peeta doesn’t do it for me.
As for the books, I have not let my 11-year-old son read them yet because of the violence. But I think, with some guidance, some kids that age can handle it, especially girls who seem to mature more quickly.
I think Jennifer Lawrence is a great actress (my only issue is will she also be able to convey Katniss’ vulnerabilities and not just her toughness? But I think she’ll be great) and will do amazing in this film BUT I think Josh Hutcherson is going to blow people away as well. He is going to be the one that really pops out at you. You know? Can’t wait for this movie! I actually haven’t bought tickets yet because I was going to take my sister during her spring break (which falls right around the weekend it opens) however, she’ll be away. So I’m contemplating going without her anyway if so I’ll buy them this week. She is dying to see the movie too but told me I don’t have to wait for her. So we’ll see! Thank you for the clip it was awesome!
I think what people are missing in the casting of Peeta & Gale is that they are supposed to be THAT OBVIOUSLY different.
Peeta’s family owns their own shop (in a time of great starvation); neither of his parents are dead or have to work the mines (to put food on the table & burn coal for heat); at 11, Peeta took a beating from his mother so Katniss & her family wouldn’t starve.
Gale’s like Katniss (though way more openly hostile about it): They both lost their fathers, in the same mine explosion; Katniss’ mother was consumed by grief and couldn’t support Prim & Katniss (let alone herself), while Gale’s mother couldn’t support her 5 children; both Gale & Katniss can hunt, thus support their families; both talk about running away, and probably would have by now, were it not for all the family members requiring their care.
Peeta is a gentle soul, one who has loved Katniss for as long as he can remember. And that’s why I can over-look Josh’s bad blond-dye-job and brown eyes and that Jennifer looks taller in the premier photos. (OK, they’re both 5’7″.) I think Peeta’s going to be the stand-out in this trilogy.