Jennifer Lawrence And Cast Say Goodbye To ‘Hunger Games’
Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence and the rest of The Hunger Games cast have been preparing to bid farewell to the popular cinematic franchise, Variety reported. The movies will come to a close with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, which Lionsgate will open in wide release Nov. 20.
In anticipation of the upcoming release, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth were immortalized Saturday by signing their names and imprinting their hands and feet in cement at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. According to Variety, Lawrence expressed her gratitude for the opportunity during a short speech at the event, stepping up to the podium in dramatic stilettos that would soon enter the wet cement.
“I’m very grateful. I think I can say that on behalf of everyone here for The Hunger Games.”
“I think it will be pretty bizarre when the movie is finally out and… everything is officially done. This movie has been in my life for so many years. I didn’t really feel like I said goodbye to her.”
Originally adapted from the bestselling young adult novels of author Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games movie franchise follows the story of Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, and her struggle to survive in a brutal reality TV-style game that centers around an epic battle for life and death in a future that is bleak for the vast majority of citizens, who live in a totalitarian super state.
In the last year’s The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, Everdeen was seen battling for her life as she became the symbol of a revolution that threatened to destroy the very foundations of society. Now, in the series finale, she will lead the rebellion against the corrupt government of District 13.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 also shows Everdeen juggling with the emotional instability and unrequited love of Peeta, played by Josh Hutcherson, while basking in the constant support of best friend Gale, played by Liam Hemsworth. According to Times LIVE, Lawrence – a native of Louisville, Kentucky – also admitted during the press conference that getting used to fame has been an adjustment.
“There were a few years of getting used to it, your entire world changes. I have a new normal now, I feel very stable and normal and happy. But the pressure… You just can’t think about it.”
The Hunger Games movies have been fan favorites since the first blockbuster was released in 2012, in large part because they feature a female heroine leading the fight for freedom. Although, as Lawrence pointed out at the press conference, it may still be “too soon to be able to look back and reflect” on the potential long-term impact The Hunger Games films have had on public perceptions of female strength.
According to Deadline Hollywood, industry projections currently have The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 opening at $121.5 million, which is just slightly under the debut of the last film in the series, which opened at $121.9 million. Tickets for Mockingjay – Part 2 went on sale Oct. 1, with theater chain Regal Entertainment offering 1,000 Regal Ultimate unlimited viewing tickets for $100 each that will allow fans to see the film every day of its release.
[Photo By Frazer Harrison / Getty Images]
