Ten years ago Wednesday, Lionsgate released The Hunger Games, the adaptation of author Susan Collins‘ 2008 bestselling dystopian novel.
Co-written by Collins, Billy Ray, and director Gary Ross, the film centered on a life-or-death annual competition in which powerless young people are forced to compete to the death, to the delight of the elites in Panem’s Capitol city.
Grossing $155 million in its opening weekend alone — the start of a nearly $695 million worldwide run — the movie spawned three sequels, and turned Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson into young box office superstars.
Lawrence played Katniss Everdeen, one of the “tributes” from Panem’s District 12, a skilled hunter who takes her younger sister’s place in the deadly games. Katniss quickly rises to the top of the field, to the delight of the Capitol’s viewers.
Hemsworth played Gale Hawthorne, Katniss’ best friend, fellow hunter and eventual love interest. Hutcherson, meanwhile, played Peeta Mellark, Katniss’ fellow District 12 competitor, who gets “shipped” with Katniss by the organizers of the Games to goose viewership.
The film also had stand-out supporting performances from a handful of stars. Woody Harrelson played Hamish, a former winner who has become a drunk in retirement, and who advises Katniss; Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, Katniss’ charismatic stylist, who gives her a camera-ready makeover befitting her celebrity status and who becomes a trusted confidante; Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, the Games’ flamboyant escort; and Stanley Tucci as the blue-haired talk show host Caesar Flickerman, who covers the competition.
All the characters returned in the follow-up films — 2013’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, 2014’s The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, and 2015’s Mockingjay Part 2 — which tracked Katniss quest to overthrow Panem’s autocratic rule and end the Games.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Lady Gaga says she edited ‘Chromatica Ball’ film to “honor” her fans: “See yourself in every image”
May 8, 2024
HBOLady Gaga says her just-announced Chromatica Ball concert special, which will stream on Max on…
Report: ‘Succession’s’ Jeremy Strong in talks to play Springsteen manager Jon Landau in ‘Nebraska’ film
May 8, 2024
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesSuccession star Jeremy Strong may have found his next role. Variety…
New workplace comedy set in ‘The Office’ universe gets Peacock series order
May 8, 2024
PeacockNBC's sister streamer announced Wednesday that the as-yet-untitled but eagerly anticipated…
Kerry Washington’s comedy ‘UnPrisoned’ returns to Hulu on July 17
May 8, 2024
Disney/Kelsey McNealHulu announced on Wednesday, May 8, that the second season of the Kerry…
Olivia Rodrigo expands GUTS world tour to Asia and Australia
May 8, 2024
Live NationOlivia Rodrigo has spilled more GUTS world tour dates.For the first time, the "Obsessed"…
Imagine Dragons reveals track list for ‘Loom’ album
May 8, 2024
KIDinaKORNER/InterscopeImagine Dragons has shared a video revealing the track list for their…
Bruce Willis’ wife explains why she went public with his dementia diagnosis
May 8, 2024
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Film at Lincoln CenterEmma Heming Willis is opening up about how…
Ed Sheeran says he went to the Met Gala as a result of preparing for next album
May 8, 2024
Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/VogueEd Sheeran was a surprise face on the red…