The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire already green-lit and set to be released in Fall 2013

The Hunger Games – starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Toby Jones, and Donald Sutherland – has yet to begin its theatrical run on March 23, 2012, but that hasn’t stopped Lionsgate from announcing the release date for the first of three sequels Catching Fire– set for release on November 22, 2013.  The studio plans to split The Hunger Games trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins, into four films, presumably with the final novel bifurcated ala Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Twilight: Breaking Dawn.

Previously I discussed how The Hunger Games could become the next hit adaptation franchise and debated the merits of a PG-13 vs. R-rating for the film in an article (FOUND HERE).  In short, I am a big fan of the novels and cannot wait to see their cinematic interpretation, as evidenced by its top-ten ranking among my Most Anticipated Films.  Therefore, news of a release date for the first sequel is very welcome.  Critics or skeptics may question Lionsgate’s decision, given that the first film hasn’t even finished production let alone hit theaters; however, as I wrote in the feature article, the studio has a solid basis for doing so – the novels are ripe for a film adaptation and the solid, if relatively unknown, cast should deftly depict the source material.

The Hunger Games comes to theaters on March 23, 2012.

Catching Fire will be released on November 22, 2013.

 

Which is your favorite Hunger Games novel? – Vote Below!

 

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