It’s been almost six months since The Hunger Games took over movie theaters, eventually making more than $685 million. And finally, the cast – which includes several new members – is reunited on the set of the second movie in the franchise, Catching Fire, opening in theaters worldwide November 22nd, 2013.
New cast members Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Claflin and Jeffrey Wright, among many others, will join stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland and Lenny Kravitz in and near Atlanta, Georgia for primary filming, with the jungles of Hawaii also setting the scene for some locations, according to a press release from Lionsgate. Production on the movie, which picks up with Katniss and Peeta on a “Victor’s Tour” following their win in the 74th Annual Hunger Games, is scheduled to wrap in late December.
But before that happens, 12 lucky fans will get to visit the set of the movie. Director Francis Lawrence (Water for Elephants, I Am Legend) – no relation to star Jennifer – took some time out of their first day on the set to talk about the exciting sweepstakes, which starts today (full details below).
Here is official press release from Lionsgate:
SANTA MONICA, CA (September 10, 2012)- LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, today announced the start of principal photography on the highly anticipated sequel to the worldwide blockbuster film THE HUNGER GAMES. Beginning today, THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE will shoot primarily in existing locations in and near Atlanta, Georgia. The film will subsequently be shot on location in the beaches and jungles of Hawaii before wrapping in late December, 2012.
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE will be released worldwide on November 22, 2013, and stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Jeffrey Wright, with Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland.
Said Lionsgate’s President of Production Eric Feig, who is overseeing the production on behalf of the studio, “We are so excited to be embarking on this adventure with Francis Lawrence, who has already exhibited immense creative vision and resourcefulness in casting the film and planning its look and feel. The stakes are raised in every way in this second story, and we are thrilled to get the production underway in these perfect locations, with our excellent returning cast and some world class actors in new roles.”
“Lionsgate has been a longtime partner of Georgia’s entertainment industry being the first production company to take advantage of our film tax incentives in 2005. The fact that they are continuing to bring productions including this high profile franchise to Georgia reaffirms their commitment to our talented crew, diverse locations and accessibility,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey.
Lionsgate also announces a global set visit sweepstakes. “THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE- Win a Trip to Set” will run September 10th through October 12th 2012, offering twelve lucky fans a chance to visit the set of the film and interact the with cast and crew. To enter, fans based in the participating territories (the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Scandinavia, Russia, Israel, and Japan) will upload a :30 second video of their top question for the film’s cast. Additionally, “virtual” citizens of Panem will be able to enter by playing The Hunger Games Adventures – one of the top adventure games on Facebook and coming soon to iPad. Full rules and regulations are posted on the contest Facebook tab, and at www.catchingfiresweeps.com.
