What's Next?

     The big question everyone is dying to have answered after reading the final book is, "Is there going to be a 4th book?".  Suzanne Collins shared in a press release in April of 2013 that we can expect a 4th book to follow the Hunger Games trilogy.  However, Collins said that after finishing writing Mockingjay, she had and still has no intentions of continuing Katniss' future or any of the other casts'.  She said that after the books were all released she began getting fan mail asking more about the history of Panem.  Instead of continuing the trilogy with Katniss' future, Collins has thought about writing a prequel to the series.  This novel would tell the story of Panem and the original rebellion that generated the Hunger Games in the first place. The end of the prequel would lead into the Hunger Games' first book with the games involving Katniss Everdeen.  However, there is nothing definite about the 4th book being written, and we will just have to wait and see what Collins decides to do!

     Another question many fans have is "Can we expect a Mockingjay movie?"  The answer to this is 'Yes!', and we can expect not just one, but two!  How will there be two if the series ends with Mockingjay?  Of course since the movies were such an economic success, it makes sense to drag them out as long as possible.  Mockingjay Part I is in the process of filming, and is supposed to be released in theaters around November of 2014.  We can expect to see Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, and Sam Claflin along with many other familiar faces from the first two movies.  Mockingjay Part II is expected to be released in 2015, again around the end of November.  Until then we have to wait and see what is next for the Hunger Games trilogy.




"Suzanne Collins Announces New 'Hunger Games' Book!" N.p., 1 Apr. 2013. Web.

Role Models and Crushes

Jennifer Lawrence 

     The Hunger Games movies are very popular right now especially among the teenagers.  One reason may be that they have read the books, or the story line is different and appealing.  Another reason the phenomenon could attract the younger generation is the attractiveness of the actors and actresses.  Jennifer Lawrence, whom plays Katniss Everdeen, is in her early twenties and is a very physically attractive woman.  Being the main character of the movies, this attracts teenage men to go watch the movie.
     At the same time, this could attract young females to the movie because of her beauty both inside and out.  Jennifer Lawrence has proved through interviews that she is not caught up in the fame, and is a down to earth woman.  Some of her interviews and quotes are surprising because of how different and unique she is compared to the other celebrities in Hollywood.  When she was asked about making movies by Vanity Fair Magazine, her response was, "Not to sound rude, but [acting] is stupid, everybody's like, 'How can you remain so level head?' And I'm like, 'Why would I ever get cocky? I'm not saving anybody's life. There are doctors who save lives and firemen who run into burning buildings. I'm making movies. It's stupid."  This remark alone shows that she realizes who she is and what role she plays in the grand scheme of things.  

From Left to Right: Hutcherson, Hemsworth, Claflin

     For teenage girls, there is Peeta Mellark played by Josh Hutcherson, and Gale Hawthorne played by Liam Hemsworth.  Both actors are in their early twenties, and are physically attractive as well.  In Catching Fire, a new character is introduced, Finnick Odair played by Sam Claflin.  In my opinion, similar to many other teenagers, these three male characters are very attractive and make the movie just that much more enjoyable to watch.






"Jennifer Lawrence." N.p., 2 Jan. 2013. Web.

Into The Theaters

     Not only did Suzanne Collins provide us with her Hunger Games trilogy through her novels, she then allowed the first one to be made into a movie.  At this point, it is not just a novel, which takes more effort than to go see a movie, it engaged the attention of many.  In the world we live in today, reading isn't as popular due to all the technology we have available to us.  Therefore, a lot of people may not have even known about the books in the first place.  Personally, I had never heard about them until my high school made everyone read the first book as apart of a summer reading project.  After reading the first one, I was immediately curious as to what happened next in the books.

   

     Shortly after reading the Hunger Games, the movie was released into theaters in March of 2012.  The theaters promoted the movie by having a midnight premier, which I attended with my cousins, and having the theater dripping in Hunger Games signs and posters.  The Hunger Games Trilogy  Phenomenon had grown into something huge at this point for people of all ages, but especially the teenagers.  A New York Daily News critic wrote, "As tough-spirited as fans would hope for- and exciting and thought-provoking in a way few adventure dramas ever are." (Neumaler)  The first movie was successful, which lead Suzanne Collins to approve the production of the second movie, Catching Fire.

     Catching Fire was released into theaters on November 22, 2013 and again the theaters had midnight premiers as well as some even earlier.  Many theaters started showing the movie as early as 10 p.m. on November 21.  As I walked to my theater the opening night, I saw signs outside the theaters reading "District 2..District 4..District10..etc." to make the theater more decorated for the occasion.  Also, as I waited for the movie to begin my cousin was sending me pictures from the theater back home of people dressed up as characters.  Of course, my cousin was one of the many fans dressed as Katniss with her arrow holder and all.  By making the books into movies, it gave people an image of what they were reading and it made it more interesting and exciting to get involved in.  Now when we read about Katniss Everdeen in the books, we immediately think of Jennifer Lawrence because the movies gave us an image to go off of.  

Neumaler, Joe. The Hunger Games. N.p., 20 Mar. 2012. Web.

The Books That Started It All

   

     The Hunger Games Phenomenon has taken off and has numerous fans obsessed with the story that Suzanne Collins has developed.  Collins started the phenomenon by writing the first book entitled The Hunger Games.  The first book of the trilogy engaged the readers by telling the story of a teenage girl, Katniss Everdeen, killing to survive against 23 other contestants in the annual Hunger Games competition.  The Capitol created and runs the Hunger Games in order to keep the districts, or towns, in line and to prevent an uprising.  Suzanne Collins fills the book with action and romance, which makes it impossible to put down.

     Catching Fire, the second book, picks up after Katniss has won the Hunger Games, along with her fellow District 12 participant Peeta Mellark.  This causes problems among the districts for the Capitol because there is normally only allowed one winner, and they forced them to have two.  In order to prevent a rebellion against the Capitol, they create a different type of Hunger Games where the contestants are chosen from previous victors of the games.  When everyone is in on a secret to protect Katniss, everything changes and instead of obeying the Capitol and finishing the games, the previous victors start a rebellion.  

     In the final book, Mockingjay, Katniss leads a rebellion against the Capitol and tries to kill the leader, Snow.  At the end of Catching Fire, Katniss discovers that District 13, which was thought to be destroyed, was still there but just underground.  This is where Katniss and the Squad retreat to and plan their rebellion.  Also, the Capitol has taken Peeta and other victors from the games captive, so the Squad is trying to get them back.  After running into difficulties with Peeta, her sister Prim, and Snow, Katniss prevails and completes her mission.