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Comic-Con 2013: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Panel And New Trailer!

Hey Hey!  Happy Hunger Games everyone! Many in line for the packed Hall H presentation on Saturday at San Diego Comic Con were very pumped to see what was next in the world of The Hunger Games, with knowledge that Lionsgate would be featuring a panel for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  Fortunately, along with a description of the panel that I will provide, the brand new trailer for the film also hit the web today, making it much easier for me to show you, rather than tell.  Still, if you would like to learn more about what went down at the panel, as well as check out the new trailer, and get a look at some photos from the panel, continue on reading or scrolling through this post.

So I guess I should cut right to the chase, here is the brand new trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  It is very similar to the first film’s marketing, where there is a lot of world building and stage setting, with only a hint at what the actual games will entail.  Enjoy:

I can share a few words about the actual panel as well.  It followed the panel for I, Frankenstein, a movie I may or may not write a post about (it probably tied Seventh Son for the least exciting film footage of the day), but was promptly met with a giant room full of excitement.  For whatever reason, the moderator decided to provide a little business/statistics lesson about the profits and numbers of the first film (box office, books sold, etc.), before introducing the entire panel.

Coming onto stage we had Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark), Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne), Lenny Kravitz (Cinna), Jeffrey Wright (Beetee), Jenna Malone (Johanna Mason), Willow Shields (Primrose Everdeen), and director Frances Lawrence.  The group was very spirited, with Jennifer Lawrence, in particular, standing out as a young actress who knows how to win over a crowd.  Her fun persona (which features a heavy dose of sarcasm) is same kind of thing witnessed with Andrew Garfield in the Spider-man panels.  Both are very genuine, but know how to get on the crowd’s side.

A lot of fun also came from Hutcherson, who was happy to share stories of snot-infused kisses with Lawrence, which will be left on the cutting room floor it seems.  Hearing some excitement coming from the newest cast members, mainly Jeffrey Wright (who expressed his happiness by explaining that he was now a favorite parent at his kid’s school), was nice as well, as they seemed to be quite excited about being in Hall H and receiving a massive amount of positive energy from an excited crowd.  I should also mention that Lenny Kravitz being in Hall H was pretty entertaining unto itself, but just as Wright expressed his new found audience, Kravitz too explained that people were recognizing him for his role as Cinna, separate from his other life, or “day job”, as a musician.

Only the new trailer was shown, as far as new footage is concerned, but as I have posted it above, I will simply say that Frances Lawrence’s visual sensibilities seem to be in play, but I am happier to get more of the world outside of the games being expanded upon, as I found that to be the most interesting aspect of the previous film (I still have to read the last two books).

Here’s an official description of the film:

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 is 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.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE opens on November 22, 2013.

Keep checking in with Why So Blu for Comic Con updates and more!

 

 

And here are some more photos from the panel:

Aaron is a writer/reviewer for WhySoBlu.com.  Follow him on Twitter @AaronsPS3.
He also co-hosts a podcast, Out Now with Aaron and Abe, available via iTunes or at HHWLOD.com.