MTV’s Josh Horowitz got to sit down with the two tribute stars of ‘The Hunger Games’ movie for a hilarious and totally cute interview in which they talked about how they first met, their chemistry read together, and how Josh is like a dog licking your face with his giddy energy.

we asked the two about their “chemistry read,” the point during the audition process when the two actors read their respective roles together for an audience of filmmakers and studio representatives.

“They had hired Jennifer, and they were trying to find Peeta. I had gone in for the first round of auditions, and a few weeks later, they brought me back,” Hutcherson said. “We did a chemistry read and kind of hit it off right away, I felt, for the second time, third time,” he joked, playing up the foggy memories of their first meeting. “So that’s the first time we got to play the characters together.”

“We had tons of chemistry,” Lawrence insisted with a laugh. “He was Peeta,” she added of her first impressions of Hutcherson as “the boy with the bread.” “I had heard the director, I had heard Gary [Ross] say, ‘He is the only one who is actually Peeta,’ and then [Josh] came in, and he was. He’s charming and nice and sweet, like a dog licking your face.”

“A dog licking on your face?” Hutcherson asked, wondering if Lawrence was paying him a compliment or not.

“It is! That’s what it’s like hanging out with you, it’s like, ‘Eeeeee!’ ” Lawrence said of her excitement being around the 19-year-old.

International viewers can read the full transcript of the interview at MTV News.

A few months back, we had heard that ‘The Hunger Games’ movie would not be released in IMAX theaters due to an exclusive deal with a larger studio (Warner Brothers), but in a press release dated today, Lionsgate announced that the movie will be digitally remastered for a limited 1-week release in IMAX theaters.

“With this news, the release of The Hunger Games has truly become an epic event,” said Lionsgate’s Joe Drake. “The Hunger Games and IMAX are a match made in heaven – fans love this book because its world is so vividly imagined and seeing the film in IMAX will make them feel as if they have landed right in the middle of the action. It is the ideal way for fans to experience this film for the first time.”

“The Hunger Games is one of the most popular properties in recent memory and we’re excited to offer this passionate fan base the opportunity to experience this exciting adventure in the most immersive way,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “We’re proud to kick off our relationship with Lionsgate around this highly anticipated film that will make a strong addition to our 2012 film slate.”

The IMAX release of The Hunger Games will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

It’s raining t-shirts for sure, as Hot Topic has just begun selling their Hunger Games movie t-shirt featuring the flaming mockingjay from the original movie poster. The shirt is available in men’s and women’s styles and costs between $22.50 and $26.50, depending on your size.

I know it’s not T-Shirt Tuesday, but Woot only posts their shirts for one day, so you’ll need to grab this one by the end of today if you want it. It features District 14, which apparently specializes in… tacos? I don’t really get it, so if it’s some inside joke, someone explain it to me! I’m sure Amanda Bell over at Next Movie, who writes the District 14 column, would appreciate it! Thanks to Mika for the tip!

We’ve got hi-res screenshots of the Entertainment Tonight sneak peek for you! Sorry these are late, but living in Hawaii, I see everything last! Boo!

[Show as slideshow]

UPDATE: Added better version.

Crystal: Considering that we’ve already seen footage of the reaping and that this is going to be aired to the Super Bowl crowd, I think we’ll see a trailer that accurately conveys the basic story arc in a short time, then focuses on the glitz and glitter of the Capitol, then finally gives significant attention to the action in the Arena. Haymitch’s voice coaching Katniss for sure. I think we’ll get to see very action-centric things like tracker jackers, Clove throwing a knife, Cato wielding a sword, Thresh holding a huge rock up, and Peeta screaming at Katniss to run. I think we’ll even get to see more of Seneca Crane, this time managing the show from their broadcasting booth. I’m on the fence as to whether they’ll show any cave scenes as throwing romance in runs the risk of alienating people who are getting their first look of the movie here. As much as I’d love to watch a new full 2:30 trailer, I think due to cost it’ll be a 1.5 minute trailer. If I’m wrong, call me impressed!

Beth: Footage of Gale and his reactions, and I think it will show Katniss and Rue together — maybe up in the trees. I think it will show President Snow saying something threatening, but maybe people don’t realize it’s threatening unless they’ve read the books and know how scary he is. LASTLY, I want to hear Katniss yell “Peeta” after the big rule change. I mean, the general audience won’t know why she’s yelling “Peeta,” but all of us Hunger Gamers will.

Ciara: My money’s on a better look at the tributes. A quick introduction of a select few personalities and strategies including very brief images of the tributes during the Games themselves. I think the trailer will have a general theme of “The World Will Be Watching,” think opening ceremony, the public perception and the televised event itself. Give us a taste of how the Gamemakers can manipulate and sponsors can give an edge. It’ll show the impressions District 12 are making within all this to the watching country, coupled with an atmosphere of the consequences and emotional strain this puts on the affected tributes trying to stay alive. And hopefully at least one more extended glimpse of the rush to the Cornucopia.

Merri: I’m really hoping to see a good look at the other Tributes, maybe some of the interview scenes. I also would LOVE to see some parts of the arena and the actual games. I think the general theme of the trailer would be more about preparing for the games, and sort of the fear that all the tributes feel, sort of accumulating into the end of the trailer where it will end in some awesome shots of in the arena. Seeing Katniss in a tree or seeing Rue hiding in the arena would be awesome, maybe a glimpse of Thresh or Foxface or Cato or Clove. Also, showing how the Gamemakers can control and manipulate the tribute’s surroundings. I would love to also see sort of a progression in Katniss and Peeta’s relationship. Whatever it is, I am looking forward to it!

Cleveland County, North Carolina was the scene of a ‘Hunger Games’ giveaway today where 1,000 copies of the novel were handed out to readers across the county.

When it opened its doors, the Cleveland County Memorial Library had 384 copies of ‘The Hunger Games’ to give out.

For the next 27 minutes, library director Carol Wilson handed out an average of nine books a minute to Cleveland County residents hungry to read the book.

And the library wasn’t the only site attracting readers. In all, 1,000 copies were made available at locations throughout the county. By the end of the day, the majority of books had been given.

Within 30 minutes of opening, the Cleveland County Arts Council had given out all their copies of the book. In Kings Mountain, a line of readers waited outside Mauney Memorial Library waiting for their own

Last May parts of ‘The Hunger Games’ film were shot in the small community of Shelby:

“It was filmed here in Cleveland County,” said Rhonda Collins, of Shelby, before the Cleveland County Memorial Library opened its doors. “This is a great thing for our community.”

Source:  Shelby Star