This franchise predicted the success of Twilight. The story of the confrontation between the deprived inhabitants of a fictitious state and the cruel foundations of the government exceeded all expectations - the saga gathered at the box office a fabulous box office and a number of prestigious awards. Characters have become the favorites of the audience, and the main performers have gained a ticket to a new life. The story of the cult hit, the characters and actors of The Hunger Games will be the subject of this article.
The book is to be!
The American writer Susan Collins, who creates mostly children's books, decided to immerse herself in the fantasy world and published the first part of the trilogy back in 2008. A novel in the genre of post-apocalyptic not all literary agencies were in a hurry to publish, but still there was someone who handed it over to the press.
Success was guaranteed. The work was included in the bestseller list and was published in 45 countries. Many publishers, and later critics, noted that this is a new word in modern science fiction, bordering on ordinary everyday history. Behind the book, the movie The Hunger Games also appeared. Actors and roles of the first part have gained many fans around the world. Fan clubs appeared on the Internet like mushrooms after rain, and in the most remote corners of the earth. Any step by leading actors was now urgently discussed, backed up by fresh photographs of the ubiquitous paparazzi. All this indicated that the world was plunged into a real mania.
Long production process
After Susan Collins sold the rights to Lionsgate Studios, management began looking for those who could translate the book's narrative into a screen. The first decision was the intention to leave the original name for the future film - The Hunger Games. Actors and roles became the next in the long list of preparatory work, but for now, Harryry Ross, who also had a hand in adapting the script, approved the director of the film. Steven Soderbergh expressed a desire to become a second director, he was entrusted with the shooting of events taking place in the 11th district.
The finish line: what the Hunger Games looked like
Actors of the picture were considered by the creator of the work personally. Susan Collins left herself the place of the producer of the future hit, watching dozens of applicants. About 30 actresses were auditioned for the role of Katniss Everdeen, and already held: Emma Roberts, Lindsay Fonseca, Shailene Woodley, Saoirse Ronan, Emily Browning. But only Jennifer Lawrence, the first of the star cast approved in The Hunger Games-1, was able to impress a strict author.
Actors trying out for male roles included Hunter Parish, Evan Peters, David Henry, Drew Roy, Robbie Amell, Lucas Till. The image of Pete, in love with Katniss, a teenager and her main rival in the competition, went to Josh Hutcherson. Boyle Gale, forced to watch the survival of his beloved on television, was played by Liam Hemsworth. In addition to the main characters, The Hunger Games includes a number of secondary characters, which will be discussed later.
The most powerful star
It’s now at the place of Katniss Everdeen, forced to fight the injustice of the Capitol, it is difficult to imagine anyone else. The Hunger Games actors include Jennifer Lawrence, a Kentucky native who, in her early twenties, has already won an Oscar and two more nominations for it.
In order to quickly start acting in films, the girl graduated from high school two years earlier. By the way, this is one of those aspiring actresses who, from almost their first film, become famous. The debut work of Jennifer was the drama “The House of Poker”. Her partner was young Chloe Grace Moretz, who would later become one of the contenders for the role of Katniss in The Hunger Games. For playing in the Burning Plain, Lawrence received warm reviews from critics, and for Winter Bone she received the first nomination for the highest film award.
Prior to The Hunger Games, which lifted the actress to the pinnacle of world fame, she played Mystic, a mysterious and superpowered character in the movie X-Men: First Class. In 2012, Lawrence starred in the drama “My Boyfriend is Crazy,” for which academics awarded her an Oscar. Acquaintance with Bradley Cooper grew into a friendship - together they starred in the equally successful “American Scam” and “Siren”.
Jennifer’s plans include shooting in the film “Joy”, where she again will play a couple with Cooper. Now Lawrence is not only a promising star of the new Hollywood generation, but also one of the most financially independent actresses. The second part, “And the flame breaks out,” brought her a fee of $ 10 million.
The perfect actress
Perhaps any fan of The Hunger Games agrees. For all viewers, Katniss has become a new hope for a better future. And although it was worth peace and tranquility in her native district, the girl showed all courage to be remembered as a worthy fighter, opposing harsh social laws.
What attracted Jennifer Lawrence, without whom it is impossible to imagine the Hunger Games? The actors, as well as the creators of the tape, note in it precisely that mockingjay that can embody the book's intention on the screen. A strong, strong-willed girl, while inexorable and incredibly beautiful. These were words of admiration for Susan Collins, who trusted Lawrence and did not fail. According to Jennifer herself, the “Games” completely changed her life. It took her three days to make a final decision, after which she signed a contract.
For filming, blonde Lawrence gave her luxurious hair a dark shade. Other actors also acted. In the film, Jennifer herself performed all the tricks, abandoning the understudies.
The right to express feelings
Katniss volunteers to participate in the hunger games so that her younger sister escapes this fate, Pete Mellark is among the participants on the male side. In the plot, this creates an incredible intrigue: a guy from another social group cannot admit his feelings for Katniss. A common arena allows you to do this. However, the rules are such that only one can be the winner. This means that one of them will destroy the other. But how to force yourself to kill a loved one?
The role of suffering from unrequited love Pete, who joined the actors of the “The Hunger Games”, played Josh Hutcherson. Born in 1992, Josh began acting in films from almost a young age. His first works were advertising and subsequent series, where he got minor roles.
According to him, the well-known Jake Gyllenhaal, whom he considered his idol, “made” the teenager go into this profession. In 2003, Josh actively conquers television screens, starring in a large number of paintings. Unfortunately, all of them are neutral. In 2004, he voiced one of the characters in the cartoon "Polar Express." A year later, Hutcherson starred in Zatur and The Bridge to Terabithia. In 2009, his most famous works came out: “The Kids Are Alright”, “The Story of a Vampire”, “Journey to the Center of the Earth”. On the set of the second part of "Travel", he started an affair with a partner Vanessa Hudgens.
The other side of the love triangle
Who will Katniss stay with? The people and government of the Capitol are waiting for new details of the affair with Pete, and at home the girl is met by faithful friend Gail Hawthorne. Now that the trilogy has been completed, fans can find out the ending of the story, which is sure to be happy.
The responsive and jealous Gail, who has to personally witness the “fictitious” novel of his beloved, was registered as one of the characters in the movie “The Hunger Games” (1 part). The actors of the picture were replenished by the Australian handsome Liam Hemsworth, and the female part of the fans was divided into two camps, giving preference to each of Katniss's potential suitors.
The Hemsworth family is a famous acting dynasty that conquered Hollywood hills. Each of the Liam brothers, Chris and Luke, began their careers at one time, but they are all united by moving from sunny Melbourne to no less sunny California. By the way, for a certain time, the brothers rented one apartment for everyone before they did not acquire their own housing.
Liam's fame began to come with the release of the mystical thriller “Triangle” and the fantastic drama “The Sign” with Nicolas Cage. The next work - a film adaptation of the work of Nicholas Sparks “The Last Song” - at the same time gave rise to a high-profile romance with Miley Cyrus, a partner in the tape. Liam later starred in her music video, and together they won the Best Kiss nomination. In 2013, the couple broke up. Probably, the vacant seat of Hemsworth's chosen one will not be empty for a long time.
At the same time as the “Games”, a dramatic film “Young Hearts” was released, where Liam played the soldier Mickey, who, because of his affection for the freedom-loving Candice, was ready to sacrifice his military career. In 2014, the actor played in the drama “Kat Bank”. In addition, he appeared in the TV series “Home and the Way”, “Daughters of MacLeod”, “Neighbors”.
Liam starred in the entire franchise, including The Hunger Games. Mockingjay". Actors of the trickle include key characters and their performers (Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson), as well as those who joined the plot in the second part of “Catching Fire.”
Is modernity a reflection of the Capitol?
Perhaps the feature of the Hunger Games was the representation of the Capitol as the only ruling elite in the country. Its overly wealthy residents, constantly dressed in incredibly enchanting costumes, arrange survival contests for their own pleasure. Katniss is not going to fight with all of them, but she will try to win the final of the story over the main organizer, President Snow.
We cannot but mention the vivid and contradictory representatives of the bohemian class, such as Effie Bryak, the host of the qualifying ceremony, and Haymitch Eberneti, the former winner of the Games, who acts as a mentor for Katniss and Pete. The actors of the movie The Hunger Games include Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson. And if the latter does not need to be introduced, then about the talented actress who embodied the main decoration of the film - the funny and funny Effie - a few words worth saying.
Banks was born in 1974, but gained recognition in the mid-2000s. Elizabeth Mitchell changed her real name so as not to be confused with another famous actress. In “Spider-Man”, she played Betty Brant, and in “Favorite” - Marcela Howard. The director of the film, Gary Ross, invited her to the Hunger Games almost ten years later. Before that, Elizabeth flashed in the series “Clinic”. The episodic appearance led to the fact that her character was several times entered into the plot. In 2014, “Blonde On Air” was released, bringing box office success. A year later, at the box office, the continuation of the musical tape “Ideal Voice” appears, in which, in addition to the main role, Banks acted as a director.
Woody Harrelson is the owner of prestigious awards, including Emmy, Oscar and Globus. The filmography of this eminent Hollywood actor includes an impressive list of works, which he began to replenish since the distant 1986. Among his well-known projects are the paintings “The People Against Larry Flynt”, “The Money Train”, “The Old Men Are Out of Place”. In 2013, the actor joined the main cast of the series “True Detective.”
President Snow, the film’s main antagonist and opponent Katniss, was played by Hollywood veteran Donald Sutherland. The other actors of The Hunger Games cannot compare with the position that he occupies in the country of dreams. Donald began his career with the horror film “Home” in 1965. His track record includes over 260 roles. The most famous are the tape “Johnny took the gun”, “Backdraft”, “Pride and prejudice”, “Twentieth century”. Sutherland is the holder of the highest award of the Order of Canada, as well as the father of Kiefer Sutherland, who followed in his footsteps.
Minor Images and Actors
The Hunger Games is rich in many diverse heroes. With most of them, the main character has to fight in the arena. The characters and actors of the movie The Hunger Games include:
- Primrose Everdeen. The younger sister Katniss, whose lot fell to become a member of the next hunger games. Katniss sets off instead. Played by actress Willow Shields. The film was the debut for the star.
- Seneca Crane. The organizer of the hunger games. As you know from the plot, President Snow suggested Crane eat poisonous berries as a recognition of his defeat. The role was played by Wes Bentley, a friend of “Parking” and “Ghost Rider”.
- Caesar Flickerman and Claudius Templesmith. Leading the hunger games, lovers to comment in detail on the events in the arena. Played by Stanley Tucci and Toby Jones. A distinctive feature of the characters is their striking appearance, inherent in all residents of the Capitol. According to viewers, Tucci and Johnson created a harmonious on-screen duo.
- Zinn. Designer, fashion designer who developed Katniss outfits for the opening ceremony of the games and participation in the arena. A friendly hero, sincerely worried about her, contrary to the rules of the Capitol. The role was played by musician Lenny Kravitz.
- Cato. The most famous opponent of Katniss and Pete in the arena. He has a good athletic figure and physical fitness. Survived to the final battle. The role of Cato was played by Alexander Ludwig, for whom “The Hunger Games” became a tangible impetus in promoting his acting career.
This is not a complete list of characters with whom the main character interacts with in one way or another. There are a number of other minor characters included in the main plot of The Hunger Games.
"Mockingjay"
The actors of the triquel, divided into independent films, include several new heroes whom the audience met in the second part. Among them:
Finnik Odair. For a long time he remained a dark horse, and only later his true intentions became clear - like many other participants, he was initiated into a secret conspiracy to save Katniss, who became a new symbol in the image of a mockingjay. British actor Sam Claflin managed to be remembered for the role of Philip Swift in “Pirates of the Caribbean”. In 2012, he played Prince William in Snow White and the Hunter. In 2014, appeared in the film adaptation of Cecilia Ahern's novel “With Love, Rosie”.
Joanna Mason has become another controversial character involved in the rescue of Katniss. American Jena Malone began with an episode in the TV series "Rosanna." In 1998, she played the daughter of the heroine Susan Sarandon in the movie "Stepmother." She starred in the films “Donnie Darko”, “Contact”, “Forbidden Reception”. The Hunger Games has helped to remain one of the most sought-after young stars of Jene to this day.
The actors of the final dilogy were replenished with Giuliana Moore, who embodied the president of the 13th district, the powerful and strong-willed Alma Coyne. There is little to add about this star - it has long taken its solid place in Hollywood. The filmography of the actress has over 160 diverse roles in any genre - from comedy to fantasy. In 2015, Moore received an Oscar for her role as Alzheimer's suffering woman in the drama Still Alice.
Afterword
The overall success of The Hunger Games left a long aftertaste, since not a single admirer of the work agreed to quickly part with his favorite characters. The franchise itself went down in the history of cinema as the most successful among modern examples, postponing Twilight and Harry Potter. The taste of world recognition was felt by the leading performers, awakened by famous actors. "The Hunger Games. Mockingjay ”was the final chord of this long story. The final, the second part expects viewers in cinemas in 2015.