Lionsgate and Subway® Restaurants Pairing Up For ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’

Lionsgate and Subway® restaurants in U.S. and Canada are pairing up to promote ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ which is scheduled for release in Singapore on 21 November 2013.

Both Lionsgate and Subway® restaurants in U.S. and Canada will also be taking this opportunity to “utilize their promotion to support Feeding America, a non-profit organization consisting of more than 200 food banks nationwide.“

Check out the full press release below for more details.

SUBWAY® RESTAURANTS AND LIONSGATE TEAM UP FOR THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

Companies Will Support Feeding America as Part of Collaboration
Milford, CT and Santa Monica, CA (July 8, 2013) – SUBWAY® restaurants, the world’s largest restaurant chain, and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, today announced that SUBWAY® will be the exclusive restaurant promotional destination for the film “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” the highly anticipated second installment of the global blockbuster “The Hunger Games” film franchise. “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” will open in theaters worldwide on November 22. SUBWAY® and Lionsgate will utilize their promotion to support Feeding America, a non-profit organization consisting of more than 200 food banks nationwide.
SUBWAY® restaurants in the U.S. and Canada will be fired up in anticipation of the film’s release, with a number of promotional assets planned for in-store, social, online, and broadcast. A special product line will be featured with thematic ties to the film, along with specially marked packaging with codes encouraging customers to engage online for their chance to win prizes. SUBWAY® customers can also pose with their favorite character’s standees in the restaurants and are invited to share photos on social media for additional chances to win.

“There’s nothing hotter than ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise,” said Michelle Cordial, Director of
Marketing Development for SUBWAY® restaurants. “Being able to deliver exclusive ‘Catching Fire’ experiences to our Subway fans is something that Hunger Games enthusiasts can’t find anywhere else.”

“With SUBWAY joining as a promotional partner for ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,’ Lionsgate has found new ways to reach a larger audience of fans of the film franchise,” said Paula Kupfer, Vice President of Promotions and Consumer Products for Lionsgate. “Beyond providing fans with unique film experiences, what makes this promotion truly special to the studio is our ability to work with SUBWAY to support Feeding America and help provide to those in need.”

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. 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.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is directed by Francis Lawrence, from a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy and Michael DeBruyn, based upon the novel “Catching Fire” by Suzanne Collins and produced by Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik.

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BREAKING: Lionsgate To Offer Francis Lawrence To Direct ‘Catching Fire’

After a little more than a week of speculations, The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Lionsgate will be making an official offer to Francis Lawrence (Water For Elephants, I Am Legend, Constantine) to direct ‘The Hunger Games’ sequel, ‘Catching Fire’.

Francis Lawrence is not related in any to ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise lead, Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss Everdeen.

Sources say Lawrence will receive an official offer Thursday afternoon. If he accepts and a deal can be worked out, he will replaceGary Ross, who directed the hugely successful first installment of the franchise.

The hunt has been fast and furious, with the field narrowing down to Lawrence, director of I Am Legend and Water for Elephants, and Bennett Miller, who helmed the Oscar-nominated Brad Pitt baseball movie Moneyball. Both directors met with the studio Thursday, according to sources, and Lionsgate executives have made their pick.

The Hollywood Reporter also wonders about the state of screenplay for ‘Catching Fire’ as Francis Lawrence is not a writer unlike ‘The Hunger Games’ Gary Ross is both a writer and a director.

Lawrence’s selection raises the question of the state of the Catching Fire screenplay. Ross, who is a writer as much as he is a director, worked on the Hunger Games script and was planning on spending two months honing Fire, working from a script penned by Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire). The producers and the new director now will need to keep working with Beaufoy or hire new scribes to hammer out the script before shooting begins.

Francis Lawrence was one of the many names that were included in list Lionsgate reportedly compiled when Gary Ross left ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise. The first set of names includes Alfonso Cuarón (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men), David Cronenberg (The Fly, Cosmopolis) and Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel, Biutiful). Two more directors’ names were revealed to be included in Lionsgate’s list of consideration which includes possible candidates such as Bennett Miller (Moneyball) and also Francis Lawrence who is now reportedly to be Lionsgate’s choice.

Before directing ‘Water For Elephants’, ‘I Am Legend’ and ‘Constantine’, Francis Lawrence’s earlier works also consists of directing music videos for Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Green Day.

What do you think of Francis Lawrence as the director of ‘Catching Fire’? Tell us in the comments below your thoughts about it!

‘The Hunger Games’, rated PG13, was released on 22 March 2012 and is now available in all cinemas islandwide.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@HungerGamesSG) as well as ‘Like’ us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Via Incinemas.sg.

“The Hunger Games” Could Open Bigger Than “Breaking Dawn” In USA Box Office

We had previously reported the first set of tracking records indicate “The Hunger Games” could open bigger than “Twilight” in USA box office sales.

New set of tracking record is in and Lionsgate marketing is evidently working for The Hollywood Reporter reports experts are now predicting “The Hunger Games” could possibly open bigger than “Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1” US $138.1 million debut back in November 2012.

This is certainly great news for do keep in mind when “Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1” was released, it had already established its fanbase which is unlike “The Hunger Games” where it’s the first movie of what could be the launch of a new franchise.

Here’s what The Hollywood Reporter has to say:

Hunger Games, which opens March 23, is even tracking better than The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1. That film opened in November to US$138.1 million, the fifth-best debut of all time domestically, but had the advantage of bowing the weekend before Thanksgiving, when some kids are out of school.

Box-office observers say it’s difficult to predict exactly how much Hunger Games will make, offering a more conservative estimate of US$100 million to US$120 million. They say it’s difficult to predict a number when tracking becomes this big and a film gets into the US$100 million-plus range.
Hunger Games certainly has a shot at taking the crown for best March opening from Alice in Wonderland, which debuted to US$116.1 million in 2010.

…

Tracking data released Monday showed definite interest in Hunger Games jumping from 55 percent to 60 percent in the past week, awareness went from 75 percent to 83 percent, unaided awareness from 14 percent to 21 percent and awareness from 75 percent to 83 percent.
“Numbers don’t get much higher than this,” said one rival studio executive. “Hunger Games is tracking like a sequel, even though it isn’t a sequel. It’s three times higher than the first Twilight.”

Interest among younger women in Hunger Games is now at 45 percent, compared with 36 percent for Breaking Dawn. Among female over the age of 25, interest is 29 percent, versus 27 percent for Breaking Dawn.

One advantage that Hunger Games has over Summit Entertainment’s blockbuster Twilight franchise is male interest.

Monday’s tracking showed that Interest in Hunger Games among males younger than 25 was a healthy 28 percent, compared to 10 percent for Breaking Dawn. Interest among males over 25 was 20 percent, versus 8 percent for the fourth Twilight film.

“These are huge, stupid numbers,” one box-office observer said.

Visit The Hollywood Reporter for the full story.

Outlook for “The Hunger Games” movie is certainly rosy and we can’t wait to see the numbers for “The Hunger Games” box office sales in USA, locally as well as worldwide!

‘The Hunger Games’ will be released in Singapore on 22 March 2012. Book “The Hunger Games” tickets from Cathay Cineplexes now!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@HungerGamesSG) as well as ‘Like’ us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Deadline: “The Hunger Games” Could Possibly Open Bigger Than “Twilight” In USA

According to an exclusive from Deadline, first set of tracking numbers for “The Hunger Games” has arrived and they are looking great! “The Hunger Games” movie is predicted to possibly open to US$70+ million in box office sales which is bigger than “Twilight” debut weekend box office sales of US$69.6 million back in 2008.

“The Hunger Games” movie first set of tracking numbers:

With 23% ‘First Choice’ and 54% ’Definite Interest’, those are numbers every film studio can only dream about. One studied provided me with a guesstimate that the first film based on the Suzanne Collins bestselling books could open to $70+M — which would make this bigger than the the Twilight debut. “It’s every bit as strong As Twilight and, numerically, stronger,” one rival studio told me this morning. Seasonality may play a factor because The Hunger Games is opening in March, not summer. “But the numbers, while they definitely skew to young females, look strong across all quadrants.” Said another studio: “It’s a great start.”

What exactly are tracking numbers?

The Daily Beast has a great explanation on this commonly used tactic in Hollywood to survey public interest for a movie.

The audience studies are called “tracking” reports, and they have become the crystal ball for movie marketing. Three times a week, a Los Angeles organization called the National Research Group (some studios use L.A.’s rival research firm, MarketCast) telephones about 400 random Americans, asking them not only what movies they are aware of, but also which they intend to pay to see. The data is sorted demographically into six different age brackets (the youngest is 12-16 and the oldest 45-59, as the senior set apparently doesn’t count), with additional categories for gender and race. Every new movie in wide release pops up on the surveys three weeks before its debut. In the final days before the movie opens, NRG estimates its first weekend’s box office. Each studio spends hundreds of thousands of dollars a year paying for the surveys, scrutinizing the votes the way the Gore team did Florida ballots.

The numbers are invaluable because they reveal who is interested in a movie and, more important, who isn’t. That data then determines how advertising money should be spent, and whether new commercials should be deployed.

Based on these first set of tracking numbers, things are certainly looking good for “The Hunger Games”! We can only hope public interest and awareness for “The Hunger Games” movie will continue to grow as we are only 20 days from release of “The Hunger Games” movie in Singapore and 21 days away in USA!

‘The Hunger Games’ will be released in Singapore on 22 March 2012.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@HungerGamesSG) as well as ‘Like’ us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Via The Hob.

Suzanne Collins’s Thoughts After Watching “The Hunger Games” Movie

We had read Josh Hutcherson’s reactions on Twitter after watching “The Hunger Games” movie.

It appears Josh Hutcherson, who plays Peeta Mellark in the movie, is not the only one who had already seen the completed “The Hunger Games” movie.

Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins, the author of “The Hunger Games” trilogy, has just revealed through an open letter from official “The Hunger Games” trilogy Facebook page operated by Scholastic on her thoughts about “The Hunger Games” movie after watching it.

Dear Readers,

I’ve just had the opportunity to see the finished film of The Hunger Games. I’m really happy with how it turned out. I feel like the book and the film are individual yet complementary pieces that enhance one another. The film opens up the world beyond Katniss’ point of view, allowing the audience access to the happenings of places like the Hunger Games control room and President Snow’s rose garden, thereby adding a new dimension to the story.

Director Gary Ross has created an adaptation that is faithful in both narrative and theme, but he’s also brought a rich and powerful vision of Panem, its brutality and excesses, to the film as well. His world building’s fantastic, whether it be the Seam or the Capitol. It’s amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.

And, my God, the actors. The cast, led by the extraordinary Jennifer Lawrence, is absolutely wonderful across the board. It’s such a pleasure to see how they’ve embodied the characters and brought them to life.

So I’d like to sincerely thank all the many people who devoted their time and talents to the film, especially producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, and the excellent teams at Color Force, Larger Than Life, and Lionsgate.

I hope you enjoy the film!

Suzanne Collins

Looks like Suzanne Collins is certainly very pleased with the final product! As we know, Suzanne Collins is very much involved during the production process of “The Hunger Games” movie by collaborating with Gary Ross for the screenplay while she is also listed as an executive producer for “The Hunger Games” movie.

22 March 2012 can’t arrive sooner enough for us!

‘The Hunger Games’ will be released in Singapore on 22 March 2012.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@HungerGamesSG) as well as ‘Like’ us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Suzanne Collins Is An Executive Producer For ‘The Hunger Games’ Movie

We know that Suzanne Collins, author of ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy, is incredibly involved in the production process of ‘The Hunger Games’ movie according to news reports. She had written the screenplay with Gary Ross by working on a draft Billy Ray did for ‘The Hunger Games’ movie and it appears she will do so for ‘Catching Fire’ except that it’s with Oscar winning scriptwriter Simon Beaufoy along with Gary Ross. Suzanne Collins had also attended castings way back then before ‘The Hunger Games’ started filming.

However, even though Suzanne Collins appears to be very active in ‘The Hunger Games’ production process, fans couldn’t help but wondering how much say she has and also to what extent is she working with Lionsgate and Color Force to produce ‘The Hunger Games’ movie.

While ‘The Hunger Games’ new poster featuring Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark was released during middle of December last year, many fans have missed an important detail. In the fine prints on the poster, Suzanne Collins (boxed in red) is listed as an executive producer along with Robin Bessell and Louise Rosner.

Click to enlarge the image below.

Suzanne Collins listed as one of the executive producers

What do you think of Suzanne Collins being an executive producer for ‘The Hunger Games’ movie? Sound off in the comments below!

‘The Hunger Games’ will be released in Singapore on 22 March 2012.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@HungerGamesSG) as well as ‘Like’ us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Source: Annika via Down With The Capitol.

Josh Hutcherson Is Hoping To Start Filming ‘Catching Fire’ Next Fall

Shortly after we have posted news on Gary Ross possibly started working on ‘Catching Fire’ script with Simon Beaufoy and Suzanne Collins, E! Online had an interview with Josh Hutcherson where he revealed his hopes to start filming ‘Catching Fire’ next fall.

Josh Hutcherson at red carpet pf People's Choice Awards 2012

On ‘Catching Fire’:

“They want to wait and see how this comes out and does and how much fans like it, and then hopefully we’re going to start on the next one next fall,” Josh Hutcherson told us at the People’s Choice Awards in L.A.

On if he think ‘The Hunger Games’ will be bigger than ‘Twilight’:

“I don’t know,” he laughed. “Twilight is huge, man, and has a lot of fans. We’ll see… It’s an entirely different world and also we’re about surviving the games and family and loyalty.”

Leven Rambin, who will play District 1 Tribute, Glimmer, in ‘The Hunger Games’ movie also dishes on her thoughts regarding ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘Twilight’ comparisons.

“I was never really a Twilight fanatic so I don’t really know that firsthand, but I think people are really passionate about it,” Hunger Games’ Leven Rambin told us. “People keep reminding me it’s the most anticipated movie of the year. It’s so exciting for me.”

‘The Hunger Games’ will be released in Singapore on 22 March 2012.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@HungerGamesSG) as well as ‘Like’ us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Source: E! Online via Down With The Capitol.

Director Gary Ross On Filming ‘The Hunger Games’, Jennifer Lawrence And ‘Catching Fire’ Script With Simon Beaufoy And Suzanne Collins

Director Gary Ross had an interview with Los Angeles Times Hero Complex where he spoke about how he had pursued for the job as director for ‘The Hunger Games’, on Jennifer Lawrence’s talent for acting, as well as him working on ‘Catching Fire’ script.

Director Gary Ross on the set of 'The Hunger Games'

On Jennifer Lawrence:

For a guy knee-deep in post-production on one of 2012’s most highly anticipated films, Gary Ross exudes an unnatural calm. It’s mid-December and despite the 1,200 visual effects shots that need to be completed in the next month, not only is the hyper-articulate director of “The Hunger Games” willing to show a journalist around his sprawling edit bay in Hollywood, but he’d also probably show off the whole unfinished movie if only the studio would allow.

Clues to Ross’ jovial-yet-serene disposition lay all around. His iPhone boasts a screen-saver picture from the set of the Lionsgate film — leading lady Jennifer Lawrence is wiping her nose on Ross’ sleeve while the two are standing in the middle of a North Carolina forest. Walk down the hall to editor Stephen Mirrione’s office and he quips how Lawrence “makes everyone’s life a lot easier.”

And then you see the footage. It’s a quiet scene between Lawrence and her fellow “tribute” Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson (“The Kids Are All Right”), the night before the annual “Hunger Games” fight-to-the-death begins. The two protagonists contemplate what lies before them as two of the 24 participants in the battle, and a look comes over Lawrence’s face that convincingly telegraphs her character’s understanding of her grim future.

“Every moment is like this,” says Ross, 55, almost jubilant in his adoration for Lawrence, 21, who plays Katniss Everdeen — the 16-year-old centerpiece to “The Hunger Games.” Strong and feisty, Katniss is forced to fight for her life as part of her futuristic country’s perverse entertainment spectacle that pits teenagers against each other. “She is so talented, it’s unbelievable.”

…

But Ross says he was willing to give up the assignment if he couldn’t persuade Lawrence to take the role.

“I don’t know how I ever could have done this movie without Jennifer,” he said. “I’m not sure I would have done it without her. She’s that important. More important than any other piece — including me. She’s Katniss Everdeen.”

On pursuing the director job for ‘The Hunger Games’:

Ross was introduced to the novel by his then 14-year-old twins and became fascinated by the story’s premise and the evolution of its main character — from stoic survivor to moral linchpin for an oppressed nation. He flew to London to meet with the film’s producer Nina Jacobson and aggressively pursued the job.

“I thought the idea that the way we amuse ourselves could devolve into this hideous spectacle was really fascinating,” Ross said. “Plus it has all the things I love in the movies: technical challenges, size, spectacle, amazing narrative drive. And it has a lot on its mind about where we are and where we may be headed as a culture.”

Ross worked closely with “Hunger Games” author Collins on the final draft of the script and then spent four months in the mountains of North Carolina filming the dystopian action movie from every angle he could. “We were hanging off trees, hiking up mountains, shooting in rivers,” he said.

We had also previously reported about Lionsgate pursuing Oscar winning scriptwriter, Simon Beaufoy, to write the script for ‘The Hunger Games’ sequel, ‘Catching Fire’. We may just have our confirmation that Simon Beaufoy is indeed working on the script of ‘Catching Fire’ in Gary Ross’s interview with Los Angeles Times Hero Complex.

“The Hunger Games” doesn’t open until March 23, but Ross already has begun working with Collins and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (“Slumdog Millionaire”) on the sequel based on Collins’ second novel in the series, “Catching Fire.” He seems simply thrilled to remain in the arena for the foreseeable future.

Head over to Los Angeles Times Hero Complex to read the full article.

There is currently no confirmation from Lionsgate regarding Simon Beaufoy is indeed working on ‘Catching Fire’ script with Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins. We will update you once we hear something new.

‘The Hunger Games’ will be released in Singapore on 22 March 2012.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@HungerGamesSG) as well as ‘Like’ us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Source: Los Angeles Times Hero Complex via Mockingjay.net.

Lionsgate Pursuing Oscar Winner Simon Beaufoy To Script ‘Catching Fire’?

Deadline has broke out with an exclusive stating Lionsgate is very interested in getting Oscar winning scriptwriter, Simon Beaufoy, to write the script for ‘The Hunger Games’ sequel, ‘Catching Fire’.

Simon Beaufoy

The mini-major is courting Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire scribe Simon Beaufoy to write Catching Fire, the second installment of the three book series that tracks the life and death adventures of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence). I’m told that Gary Ross, who directed The Hunger Games, is coming back for the sequel. He originally intended to write the outline for the second film and script it with author Suzanne Collins (they teamed to do a lot of writing on the first film), but the post production schedule on The Hunger Games has made that difficult. The film opens March 23. There is no start date on the sequel, but it is high priority. Ross and producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik then focused on Beaufoy. Negotiations haven’t begun yet, but Lionsgate is pushing hard for Beaufoy. Aside from Slumdog Millionaire, Beaufoy also scripted 127 Hours, The Full Monty and most recently adapted Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.

Do remember that Lionsgate has not confirmed this and currently nothing is confirmed unless a contract is signed.

I don’t know what you think about this but it seems Lionsgate is might be starting the process of having ‘Catching Fire’ in pre-production. Currently, I like Gary Ross has done with ‘The Hunger Games’ movie so far. He seemed like a huge fan boy of it and he works well together with Suzanne Collins it seems. I’m not sure where Suzanne Collins will come in if Simon Beaufoy is writing the script. Perhaps they will be discussing together? No matter what, at least with an award winning scriptwriter, it will looks good on the paper. Lionsgate, I’m still betting on you so don’t disappoint me.

-Vanora (Admin)

-Vanora (Admin)