Lionsgate today announced the start of principal photography on the highly anticipated sequel to the worldwide blockbuster film The Hunger Games. Beginning today, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will shoot primarily in existing locations in and near Atlanta, Georgia. The film will subsequently be shot on location in the beaches and jungles of Hawaii before wrapping in late December, 2012.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be released worldwide on November 22, 2013, and stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Jeffrey Wright, with Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland.
Said Lionsgate's President of Production Eric Feig, who is overseeing the production on behalf of the studio,
“We are so excited to be embarking on this adventure with Francis Lawrence, who has already exhibited immense creative vision and resourcefulness in casting the film and planning its look and feel. The stakes are raised in every way in this second story, and we are thrilled to get the production underway in these perfect locations, with our excellent returning cast and some world class actors in new roles.”
“Lionsgate has been a longtime partner of Georgia's entertainment industry being the first production company to take advantage of our film tax incentives in 2005. The fact that they are continuing to bring productions including this high profile franchise to Georgia reaffirms their commitment to our talented crew, diverse locations and accessibility,”
said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey.
Lionsgate also announces a global set visit sweepstakes. “THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE- Win a Trip to Set” will run September 10th through October 12th 2012, offering twelve lucky fans a chance to visit the set of the film and interact the with cast and crew. To enter, fans based in the participating territories (the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Scandinavia, Russia, Israel, and Japan) will upload a :30 second video of their top question for the film's cast. Additionally, “virtual” citizens of Panem will be able to enter by playing The Hunger Games Adventures – one of the top adventure games on Facebook and coming soon to iPad. Full rules and regulations are posted on the contest Facebook tab, and at www.catchingfiresweeps.com.
About The Hunger Games Franchise
The first installment of THE HUNGER GAMES franchise has already grossed more than $408 million at the North American box office and nearly $700 million at the box office worldwide. THE HUNGER GAMES recently passed HARRY POTTER as the top-selling book series of all time on Amazon, taking into account print and Kindle sales combined. There are more than 50 million copies of THE HUNGER GAMES in print in the U.S. alone.
THE HUNGER GAMES sold an estimated 3.8 million DVD and Blu-ray units in its first weekend of release, continuing the momentum it demonstrated in generating more than $408 million at the North American box office, the 13th highest grossing North American release of all time.
Following the release of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on November 22, 2013, the final installments, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART I, and THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART II are scheduled for respective November 21, 2014 and November 20, 2015 releases.
About The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
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 will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has over 50 million copies in print in the U.S. alone.
Lionsgate will release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on November 22nd, 2013.
