November is almost upon us and that can only mean one thing, more HUNGER GAMES. This time around we catch up with Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen as she becomes a reluctant rebel leader. Based on the third (and final) book in the series Mockingjay the film is being given the HARRY POTTER, and TWILIGHT treatment; being split into two films. Some argue that the splitting into two films is needless with the studios clearly not quite ready to let go of their cash cow yet this time around that may not be so true.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly director Francis Lawrence addressed the issue of two films assuring that people will want two films once they see what is planned for them. It is Lawrence’s hope that by splitting the story in two parts he can focus on some aspects that the book glosses over.
“Instead of changing the plot and changing characters what we did was have the opportunity to show scenes that could have been happening at different times in the book. For us it’s a world expansion instead of changing things. I think it’s exciting for the fan to see certain things. So we’ve been able to open the world up in this and see some new places. We get to see some new districts this time and the scope gets quite large.”
The character of President Coin (played by Julianne Moore) for example will get a lot more screen time than she did in Suzanne Collins’ novel.
“What’s interesting is although she’s a huge character in Mockingjay the book, there’s actually very little of her in it. There’s more of her in this than in the book and because of that, there’s some development.”
Those who are familiar with the books will know that the tone of the third gets very dark and somber with Katniss struggling to cope with the prospect of war. When asked about how this will translate onto screen and how the film Katniss will deal with her demons Lawrence explained:
“It’s a very confusing, conflicted, complicated time for Katniss. Having gone through the games oen more time having lost Peeta and having been run through the wringer, she’s even more damaged. SO you find her in a more agitated place. She’s distraught confused, angry.”
And just how will the film, which has the troublesome 12A rating, cope with the all-out war that fills the pages of most of the last novel?
“There’s definitely some battles. There’s some of the first glimpses of real war in this movie. And the scale gets quite big. There’s an atonal shift from some of the last movies, but they’re still very emotional, very sweeping, [on a ] grand scale with some levity and humour.”
The director who first boarded the project for CATCHING FIRE would only tease where exactly the split will come promising that is was going to be a ‘really good surprise’, he did share that the films will have ‘two different, very distinct stories.’
The magazine also managed to get a brand new still (see below)
Thankfully we aren’t far away from seeing whatever it is that has Francis Lawrence keeping so quiet as THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART ONE hits cinemas 21st November.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
