New movie still! Ok, so it’s a small picture of the picture in Entertainment Weekly’s Comic Con preview issue, but believe me there will be a HD version very soon! This is just a little taste. The still features Katniss and Caesar Flickerman.
Lionsgate my own The Hunger Games films, but they’re doing their part to end hunger here. Lionsgate is teaming up with Subway to raise funds for the non-profit Feeding America. An excerpt from the press release explains:
SUBWAY® Restaurants And Lionsgate Team Up For The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Companies Will Support Feeding America as Part of Collaboration
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.” (The Hunger Games Examiner)
Woody Harrelson (Haymictch) sat down with ShortList magazine and spilled about how he infamously turned down the role of Haymitch when first approached by Gary Ross, how he changed his mind, and his hopes for Catching Fire.
And then, of course, there’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Can you tell us how that’s coming along?
I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard it’s looking great.
How does it feel for you to be part of a big juggernaut franchise? It’s the first time you’ve…
…it’s the first time I’ve been a part of something that’s a hit [laughs].
No, it’s just that being part of a huge blockbuster is not something people would associate with you.
I love it. I really love it. I said no at first. But the director called me and he said, “You’ve got to do this for me, I don’t have a second choice.” He was so passionate about it, and I thought, “Well if you want me to do it that bad, I’ll do it.” Just one conversation made me throw the dice. That was it, and now I’m part of this incredible franchise.
Were you surprised by how big it became?
Yes I was. I didn’t know what I was stepping into.
A lot of people have said Hollywood is relying too much on big franchises at the moment. Do you think that’s true?
Well, Hollywood is so many diverse things; you have indies that I love. But when you’re looking at studios, they need to make money. They’re giant corporations, so I understand that in getting something that is working, you stick with it. Most times, sequels aren’t as good as the original, and I hope that’s not the case for The Hunger Games. I haven’t seen it, but if it is as good, why not? I don’t have a moral issue with it, I get the idea. F*ck it. Do it.
You can read the rest at ShortList.com.
Elizabeth Banks (Effie) held an interview with The Advocate where she discusses the possibility of Effie being gay and Effie’s incredible wardrobe. (hunger-games.net)
Have you ever played a lesbian?
I don’t think I have — although Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games might be gay. My vision of the Capitol is pansexual like ancient Rome, where everybody’s doing everybody.
Any chance she’s a drag queen?
I’ve actually thought about that. I think Suzanne Collins created the character to be nurturing and mothering in her own way, so she’s probably a woman. But I definitely saw a lot of drag Effies last Halloween in West Hollywood!
Are Effie’s wigs and outfits in Catching Fire even more outrageous than in the first film?
They really are. We relied a lot on Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen for the costuming, so there’s some amazing, handmade, one-of-a-kind couture. I feel so honored to have worn these pieces of art.
Effie’s serving Nicki Minaj meets Frenchy from Grease in Catching Fire promo photos.
There’s some of that, true, but she changes quite a bit and has a more varied palette this time around. You haven’t seen her more fabulous stuff yet.
What advice would you give a guy who wanted to dress up as Elizabeth Banks for Halloween?
Just look really tired and maybe stick a baby on your hip. That should do it. I’m an exhausted mom with two very young children, so I’m not very fabulous right now. But Halloween is one of my favorite holidays; I’m a pagan at heart.
What do you think? Is Effie a possible gay icon? Let us know in the comments below!
See you next week, Tributes!