The first three films set records at the box-office. The Hunger Games (2012) set records for the opening day and the biggest opening weekend for a non-sequel film. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) set the record for biggest opening weekend in the month of November. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) had the largest opening day of 2014. The franchise has received critical success, with praise aimed at its themes and messages, as well as Lawrence's portrayal of Everdeen.
Following the release of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games on September 14, 2008, film studios in Hollywood began looking to adapt the novel into film. In March 2009, Color Force, an independent studio founded by producer Nina Jacobson bought the film rights to the book.[5]: 12 Jacobson then sought out to production company Lionsgate in order to help her produce the film.[6] Collins was also attached to adapt the novel, she began the first draft after she finished writing the novel, Mockingjay. The search for a director began in 2010 with three directors in the running; David Slade, Sam Mendes and Gary Ross.[7] Ross was later chosen to direct.[8] By the time, Collins had finished the script, Ross decided to go through the script with Collins and screenwriter Billy Ray.
In October 2010, script were sent to actors with casting occurred between March and May 2011. The first role to be cast was of the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. As many as thirty actresses were in talks to play the part, with Jennifer Lawrence, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, and Chloë Grace Moretz being mentioned most.[9] The role was later given to Lawrence.[10]
Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik have been producers for all four films in the series. Suzanne Collins and Louise Rosner acted as executive producers on the first two films. Other executive producers of the first film include Robin Bissell and Shantal Feghali. Co-producers are Diana Alvarez, Martin Cohen, Louis Phillips, Bryan Unkeless, and Aldric La'auli Porter.[13] Color Force and Lionsgate collaborated on all four films. It was announced on November 1, 2012 that the studio had decided to split the final book Mockingjay into two parts, much like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and 2, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and 2.[14]
Directors
Gary Ross directed the first film The Hunger Games and despite initially stating otherwise on April 10, 2012, Lionsgate announced that Ross would not return to direct the sequel.[15] On April 19, 2012 it was confirmed that Francis Lawrence would direct the sequel instead and on November 1, 2012 it was confirmed that he would return and also direct the final two films in the series, based on the novel Mockingjay.[16][17]
Scripts
Suzanne Collins began adapting the first book to film after she finished writing Mockingjay. Collins had experience in writing screenplays after writing Clifford's Puppy Days and other children's television shows. When Gary Ross was announced as director for the film in 2010, he began to work with Collins and veteran writer Billy Ray in bringing the novel to life. The script was large and resulted in a two-hour and twenty minute film.
After Francis Lawrence took over as director, he brought in Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt to write the script for the Catching Fire.[18]
Principal photography of The Hunger Games began on May 24, 2011 and concluded on September 15, 2011. Almost all filming took place in North Carolina. All of the Games scenes were filmed on location. All of the Capitol scenes were filmed in a studio in Shelby and Charlotte.
Principal photography for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire began on September 10, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia[36] and concluded in April 2013. In November 2012, production moved to Hawaii to film the arena scenes. Filming took a Christmas break before filming resumed for two weeks in mid-January. In March 2013, the film went back to Hawaii for re-shoots.[37] Atlanta was used for all the Capitol scenes, Hawaii for the arena scenes and Oakland, New Jersey was used as the location for District 12.
Principal photography of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay began on September 23, 2013[38] and concluded on June 20, 2014. The majority of filming for the Mockingjay films was filmed in soundstages in a studio in Atlanta until April 18, 2014. Production then moved to Paris, France, with filming beginning there on May 5, 2014.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, the actor who portrays Plutarch Heavensbee, was found dead on February 2, 2014. At the time of his death, he had completed filming his scenes for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, and had a week left of shooting for Part 2. Lionsgate released a statement stating that due to the majority of Hoffman’s scenes being completed, the release date for Part 2 would not be affected.[39][40]
Every year, in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete in the Hunger Games: a nationally televised event in which "tributes" fight within the arena with one another until one survivor remains. Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister’s place to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her instincts when she's pitted against other Tributes.
Along with fellow victor Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen returned home safely after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games - the Quarter Quell - a competition that could change Panem forever.
Katniss Everdeen finds herself in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta along with other victors and a nation moved by her courage.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, the final film in the series will be released on November 20, 2015.[41]
Realizing the stakes are no longer just for survival, Katniss Everdeen teams up with her closest friends, including Peeta, Gale, and Finnick for the ultimate mission. Together, they leave District 13 to liberate the citizens of war-torn Panem and assassinate President Snow, who's obsessed with destroying Katniss. What lies ahead are mortal traps, dangerous enemies and moral choices that will ultimately determine the future of millions.
In February 2015, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said that they were "actively looking at some development and thinking about prequel and sequel possibilities" for The Hunger Games film franchise. He added that they were willing to do what Warner Bros. were doing with the Harry Potter film franchise to continue it with the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films.[57]
