Wall Street Journal looks at ‘The Hunger Games’ Success and Moving Forward
Wall Street Journal has taken a look at Lionsgate and ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise, commenting on the success and where to next in terms of ‘Catching Fire.’ According to sources interviewed Lionsgate are close to closing the deal with Francis Lawrence to direct ‘Catching Fire’. And as for the cast and script:
One issue that is under control: All the primary “Hunger Games” cast members are signed up for the entire four-film series, so none are likely to follow Mr. Ross to the exit.
But the studio has yet to finalize a script, now being written by “Slumdog Millionaire” writer Simon Beaufoy. The author of the series, Suzanne Collins, will have input, as she did with the script for the first film.
“I would call it a collaborative effort,” said Rob Friedman, Lions Gate motion picture group co-chair, referring to Ms. Collins’s participation. “Suzanne has always been very, very involved.”
There was also mention of the DVD release, with August/September again being touted as the likely months of release:
Due to the first film’s exceptional box office performance, the studio is considering pushing the DVD release to five months after its theatrical opening, as opposed to the usual four-month window, according to people familiar with the matter. That time frame would also allow it to take advantage of back-to-school momentum in the retail environment.
I’m sure as fans we’re all happy to hear Lionsgate execs acknowledge that Suzanne Collins is very much involved with the script writing for ‘Catching Fire’.
You can read the article in full here.
Couldn’t feel more relived!
Now,I see a new ray of hope.
Gosh, it’s so good to hear Suzanne has a definite hand in this and the primary cast is locked in. Gives me a little easier breathing. I’m a bit worried that the script isn’t finished yet, but on the other hand, I’m glad it’s not going to be rushed. The script makes the movie. Quick question: what do they mean by “back to school momentum”? I guess I don’t see how kids going back to school could increase sales.
Agreed Emily
I did read that Simon Beaufoy had handed over a draft to Suzanne weeks ago (right before The Hunger Games was released), so hopefully they aren’t too far away from finalising it.
The back to school momentum is basically retailers way of creating another “season” to keep their sales up, and a good time for some products to launch as they don’t get lost in the crowded holiday period, so they can dominate the market.
I don’t think it will really matter much what week it is released, it will sell like hot cakes either way.
“I would call it a collaborative effort. Suzanne has always been very, very involved.”
THANK YOU. best article ever. i can breathe again now.
meanwhile, i wholeheartedly support the idea of boosting book sales internationally. obviously i already have my own copies of the trilogy, but i had to buy them in the states. those books need to get HERE, pronto. the movie was already huge without it, but my guess is it only left people clamoring for the books, which can only increase hype for the CF movie before marketing for it even starts.
@emily414– i think it’s not so much releasing it when kids are going back to school as the lead-up to it. the weeks previous to the start of the school term, when all the kids are pouring in to stores to buy everything they’ll need for the school year.
I agree, from a market point of view, increasing awareness in international territories should be a priority in the book market,mobviously it is a hit in the US but it only did decent in international territories. And dang I was hoping for a July release, that August 23 date seems so much more likely now.
The article link doesn’t work!
My cousin was planning a Hunger Games themed birthday party in Auguse – looks like she may have to push it back if the movie is delayed. lol
Ahhhhh! This is amazing. I am so relieved now. PRAISE THE LORD!
@Katelyn – Sorry about that, try now
Need this DVD in my life and it hasn’t left cinemas yet lol.
On a more serious note, I am relieved the primary cast are all locked in for the future movies, I was worried that some characters may get recast. I’m just waiting for them to announce the script has been finalized!
thank god all of the amazing n IRREPLACABLE actors stay!!!the acting was the best part of the whole movie because honestly the scenery of the arena and especially the cornucopia was wrong.but gary ross trully captured the emotion of the book although i really didnt like the shaky moments,he was great in he rest of the movie!otherwise im glad lawrence replaced him cause he can do emotion n action combined!i love i am legend and constantine they are great and with great direction!so this is great news to me.
honestly now whats up with suzane collins ?
i dont think the script of the hunger games was great!although she and garry ross wrote it they changed a lot of things like madge and the pin backstory which returns in catching fire, katniss drugging peeta and the real muttations which is the most vissually potential scene in the book.also the mutts dont bite peeta and eventually he doesnt lose his half legwhich is something that will be returning in all the movies
can somebody please tell me what they really thought of the arena and the cornucopia and the mutts ?what
can somebody please tell me what they really thought of the arena and the cornucopia and the mutts ?what they really felt ???