Suzanne Collins’ book The Hunger Games has become the newest and biggest literary craze since Twilight. It has become a New York Times bestseller since it was first published in 2008, and Collins has written two other books in the series: Catching Fire and Mockingjay.
The books take place in a dystopian future when North America (known as Panem) is a country is divided into twelve Districts and one all ruling Capitol. Once a year each District must pick two Tributes – a boy and a girl between the ages of 12 and 18 – to fight in The Hunger Games, a nationally televised battle to the death with only one victor. Due to the graphic situations and violence, the books have been banned in several schools, even ending up on a list of the most controversial books. The books also deal with several other themes such as the importance of family, nobility, morals, and friendship.
When the film was announced, it was difficult to see how it could be made into a film that received a rating that was suitable for its target audience. Still, fans have been watching the progress of the film just as closely as the citizens of Panem watch the Hunger Games.
So far the cast consists of:
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) as 16 year old heronie Katniss Everdeen
Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right) as Peeta Mellark
Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song) as Gale Hawthorne
Elizabeth Banks (W., Zack and Miri Make A Porno) as Effie Trinket
Wes Bentley (American Beauty) as Seneca Crane, Head Gamemaker of the Hunger Games
And today it was announced via the Official Hunger Games Movie facebook page that Stanley Tucci has joined the cast as eccentric reporter Caesar Flickerman.
Just like with Twilight, the fans of The Hunger Games are extremely passionate. The film already has a release date of March 23, 2012 and if you haven’t already, you can bet to hear much more about The Hunger Games until then.
