OPEN THREAD: The Hunger Games Trailer is Finally Here

Posted byLaneia

on November 14, 2011

Do you want to talk about this?

BECAUSE I DO OMG.

Officially official synopsis:

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hunger Games, based on the trilogy by Suzanne Collins, stars Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone, X-Men: First Class) as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson (Zathura, The Kids Are All Right) as Peeta Mellarck, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna and Amandla Stenburg as Rue (you guys!!). We've been waiting for this trailer for what -- like, 17 years or something I think -- and while I was determined to remain cautiously, calmly optimistic for this film, that's all over. I CANNOT WAIT.

Ok ok ok so, what are your primary feelings here? How do you feel about the casting? I'm worried about Woody Harrelson (also I have a difficult time separating him from Matthew MacConaughey for some reason), but I'm willing to be open-minded. Totally in love with Jennifer Lawrence -- period -- but especially as Katniss. Is the best part of The Hunger Games trilogy its take on government control and class, or its unapologetic violence? It's basically the anti-Twilight, in that the characters have both brains and hormones and like, actual problems and a sense of determined independence. Wait no, it's literally the anti-Twilight. Does its popularity give you hope for the future of YA and its readers / teen-based entertainment in general? What quotes from the book are you most excited to hear in the film? Can you hardly stand the time between this moment and the second you get to see Rue on a screen larger than the side of a barn??

DISCUSS.

83 responses to “OPEN THREAD: The Hunger Games Trailer is Finally Here”

carlytron
November 14, 2011 at 9:31 am Permalink Reply

I’VE BEEN DYING FOR HOURS. JUST DYING OVER THIS.

I was so worried they wouldn’t be able to do the books justice but my concerns disappeared with this brilliant trailer. I’m glad they didn’t show any of the actual games. I just wanted to see the Captiol, the tributes, the training, and the wacky outfits/hairstyles. This did not disappoint.

And I basically had a panic attack in the last 5 seconds.

(anyone else sorta wishing that Finnick and Johanna were in the first book though? no? just me? ok…)

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1. Laneia (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 10:30 am Permalink Reply
  
  yes i don’t want to see any footage of the actual games before the movie. THE LAST 5 SECONDS CARLY i just can’t even. !!
  
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2. roxy (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 7:53 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  i’m not even that into fashion but i wanted to see more shots of the outfits. i wonder how they’re going to make her look on fire! i hope they can somehow do it justice because that part was so exciting.
  
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Caitlin
November 14, 2011 at 9:40 am Permalink Reply

I haven’t read the hunger games. i take it i should?

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1. RachelwasHere (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 9:56 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Make sure you have some time and all three at your immediate disposal, you will not want to stop.
  
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  1. Leavens (member)
    November 14, 2011 at 7:37 pm Permalink Reply Report user
    
    No seriously. Pick a time when you don’t have to be anywhere the next morning. Stock up on water and food, and keep them near you so you do not have to move much.
    
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    1. Luccia
      November 14, 2011 at 7:47 pm Permalink Reply
      
      Seriously I read part of the last book while I was driving because I just could not put it down! (I mean like at stop lights and stuff….) So excited for this movie the trailer almost made my heart stop!
      
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2. Tiger Gray (member)
  November 23, 2011 at 12:27 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I swear to god I am the only person on earth who set the thing down after the first thirty pages. I feel like I am missing something!
  
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Maggie (member)
November 14, 2011 at 9:46 am Permalink Reply Report user

I was skeptical about this until watching the trailer. I think I might read the books, which I tried doing with “Twilight” (ugh bad memories there), but now I’m thinking this will be far more badass…. Also I’ll probably drag my lady to this movie with me.

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Cobra Bubbles (member)
November 14, 2011 at 9:51 am Permalink Reply Report user

I’ve been waiting for this trailer for ages. It’s a bad time to not have any sound. D: Just from what I can see though, it looks amazing.

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Maddie (member)
November 14, 2011 at 9:54 am Permalink Reply Report user

Eeeee! Catnip is looking good, amirite? Jennifer Lawrence is going to absolutely kill it. It’s like she was purposefully tailored for this role after Winter’s Bone. The casting of Rue could not be more perfect. Jury’s still out on Haymitch, but I’m remaining optimistic as well. I’m excited that Suzanne Collins actually wrote the screenplay for this. I read a first draft of it and it almost follows the book exactly with the exception that they give Gale a lot more to do. I’m assuming they wanted to use the Hemsworth dude more since he’s this up and coming actor right now, but I don’t know. I feel like him being stuck and powerless in the Seam was much more interesting than him gallivanting around. But I’m sure there have been massive rewrites to that script by now so who knows. I haven’t felt this much fan girl excitement since the HP 7 book was released. Just trying to contain the squeals at this point.

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1. kd15 (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 6:06 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  They gave Gale a larger role? Damn it, he was my least favorite person in the books.
  
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  1. Maddie (member)
    November 15, 2011 at 9:18 am Permalink Reply Report user
    
    Yeah, basically. I don’t want to ruin anything for anybody, but if you’re interested, message me
    
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RachelwasHere (member)
November 14, 2011 at 10:00 am Permalink Reply Report user

I think Harrelson will be good and I am really really excited about Lenny Kravitz even though that’s not how I pictured Cinna at all.
I’ll have to give Gale a chance, I imagined someone completely different but if the acting is good it won’t matter.

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1. Leavens (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 7:35 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I never would have imagined casting Lenny Kravitz in a million billiondy years, but I am thrilled by the prospect.
  
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2. Mary (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 10:50 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I pictured Cinna looking kinda like Wilson Cruz. But I do like Lenny Kravitz, and am super excited to see how he is in the role.
  
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  1. RachelwasHere (member)
    November 15, 2011 at 5:04 pm Permalink Reply Report user
    
    I pictured Spike from Buffy.
    
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MeMe
November 14, 2011 at 10:06 am Permalink Reply

I think I will watch the film(s) (are they thinking of making all three? or is it a all included package deal). As a Potterhead I have learned my lesson.

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1. Laneia (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 10:28 am Permalink Reply
  
  the second installment is set to release november 2013!
  
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2. Sophie (member)
  November 15, 2011 at 5:04 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  They’re making four movies. Apparently TRIlogies are boring.
  
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Alex (member)
November 14, 2011 at 10:13 am Permalink Reply Report user

AHHHHHHH AHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

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raptor (member)
November 14, 2011 at 10:22 am Permalink Reply Report user

Jennifer Lawrence doesn’t look at all how I imagined Katniss which disappoints me but I suuuuppose I can forgive because this looks amazing.

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kimbit
November 14, 2011 at 10:31 am Permalink Reply

Has anyone ever seen Battle Royale? It’s super similar. But maybe more violent. hmmm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-T7yPJVvXw

Anyway, this looks awesome. Love Jennifer Lawrence. Gotta read these books.

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1. RLV (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 11:34 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. That movie is awesome/terrifying/hard to watch/but still awesome.
  
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2. Bree (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 7:52 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  That comparison was why I picked up Hunger Games in the first place – BR is one of my favorite books. It was kind of fun to compare/contrast the two as I was reading – each one had its own strengths and weaknesses. I might like Hunger Games better, actually – but I might be biased, because I hate the English translation of BR. Thoughts?
  
  Also ;ajgkld;sajg;dlsajgsl;ajga; this trailer looks SO SO GOOD.
  
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Aim (member)
November 14, 2011 at 10:50 am Permalink Reply Report user

I watched a spoiler of the death of Rue. My bucket is full of creys. I can’t wait for this to come out. Also Josh Hutcherson as Peeta <3

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1. lesemicolon (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 2:12 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Every time I see him I can’t help but think of Laser, who is very different from Peeta.
  
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  1. Aim (member)
    November 15, 2011 at 3:34 am Permalink Reply Report user
    
    I haven’t seen The Kids are Alright yet but I think way back to his role in Bridge to Terabithia and feel good about him as Peeta.
    
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Carolyn (member)
November 14, 2011 at 11:04 am Permalink Reply Report user

I am so so so excited for this.

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Maree (member)
November 14, 2011 at 11:24 am Permalink Reply Report user

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (etc)

Also, these are amazing: http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/10/28/hunger-games-see-katniss-rue-and-more-in-character-posters/#/0

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Lex (member)
November 14, 2011 at 11:35 am Permalink Reply Report user

I don’t think I should be as excited as I am for this.
There’s so much kid death…

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1. Laneia (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 12:19 pm Permalink Reply
  
  i know! somehow that’s almost the best part? like, when small children curse or drive cars! idk that doesn’t make me sound much better.
  
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katrina (member)
November 14, 2011 at 11:43 am Permalink Reply Report user

I AM SHOUTING IN MY HOUSE

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Lora (member)
November 14, 2011 at 11:45 am Permalink Reply Report user

I was excited and then I remembered that Joanna Mason, Probable Lesbian, won’t be in it and I’m a bit less excited. But just a bit.

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1. Leavens (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 7:32 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  This just makes me excited for the second movie, super far in advance. I’m also glad that I wasn’t crazy to read Joanna as a super probable queermo.
  
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  1. Lora (member)
    November 15, 2011 at 7:52 am Permalink Reply Report user
    
    Thank goodness, because I was thinking I was crazy too.
    
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2. Ava (member)
  November 15, 2011 at 1:44 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I will always picture Naya Rivera as Johanna Mason, because she tweeted about wanting to play her in the movie.
  
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  1. Leavens (member)
    November 15, 2011 at 4:43 pm Permalink Reply Report user
    
    And now that image will not leave my head.
    
    Thank you.
    
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  2. Lora (member)
    November 15, 2011 at 8:02 pm Permalink Reply Report user
    
    I always picture her as Kristen Bell, but Naya would be awesome too. And that would just cement her place in lesbian hearts everywhere.
    
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Alana (member)
November 14, 2011 at 12:12 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I’m soooo excited for this! I need to reread now! I was skeptical because I didn’t care for actors being Peeta and Gale. But now I’m just really excited,I could scream, but I squeaked instead.

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bookbound (member)
November 14, 2011 at 12:23 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I’m still disappointed they cast Katniss as white because that’s toootally not how I read her in the books.

BUT Rue! And Peeta! And Woody Harrelson will, I think, make an excellent Haymitch.

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1. raptor (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 1:34 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  that was totes my problem with it, I was like, what? that is Katniss?
  
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2. Kat
  November 14, 2011 at 7:09 pm Permalink Reply
  
  Yeah, I had that whole district as kind of First Nations-meets-Cape Breton Highlands in my head, especially Gale. Definitely excited, nonetheless!
  
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3. Laneia (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 8:03 pm Permalink Reply
  
  really? that’s interesting because district 12 is in the appalachians, so i automatically assumed they were poor white people.
  
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  1. bookbound (member)
    November 14, 2011 at 8:35 pm Permalink Reply Report user
    
    She’s described as having darker hair & eyes and “olive skin”, which I always assumed was a literature codephrase for “vaguely non-white or mixed”. There’s still folks of Cherokee and other Native American heritage in the Appalachians, as well as some of Native American/black descent (there’s a specific group called Melungeons). Also when I read it, it seemed the more downtrodden districts–like Rue’s district, District 12–were more in the South/southeast and had a less white population than the Capital. Or maybe it was wishful thinking, wanting a nonwhite female protagonist?
    
    I don’t know what the author intended, and I do think this film is still gonna be great. I mean, Katniss is still a complex, kickass character no matter what race or ethnicity she is.
    
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    1. Laneia (member)
      November 14, 2011 at 8:48 pm Permalink Reply
      
      that is a good point re: olive skin/hair & eyes, although she could STILL technically be non-white/mixed, but yes i see what you’re saying. that was just my first impression when i read the book a couple of years ago. i’m excited to reread this before march! i probably missed a lot of things the first two times.
      
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      1. Leavens (member)
        November 15, 2011 at 4:45 pm Permalink Reply Report user
        
        I kind of want an ASS (re)read along now.
        
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Ava (member)
November 14, 2011 at 12:45 pm Permalink Reply Report user

AMAZING. I keep going back to watch it again and I tear up every time when Katniss volunteers to take Prim’s place. I am going to need a bucket for my creys when I see this.

The only thing that bugs me is that it seems they got rid of the character of Madge and have Prim give Katniss the pin instead.

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1. roxy (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 7:58 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  wait really?! no madge! but!!
  
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  1. Ava (member)
    November 15, 2011 at 1:46 pm Permalink Reply Report user
    
    I don’t know for sure but in the trailer it looks like Prim gives the mockingjay pin to Katniss. Since that was Madge’s role in the book, it seems like they’ve done away with that character for the movie.
    
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Jes R (member)
November 14, 2011 at 12:54 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Woody Harrelson will probably make a good Haymitch. He’s got that sort of rough edged drunken slob thing going, which is pretty much what Haymitch is like. I’m more worried about the guys playing Gale and Peeta. Neither of them leave much of an impression and I have a hard time remembering which actor is which for some reason. Otherwise, Katniss is going to be great so I’m not as worried as I could be.

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1. radiogirl (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 1:05 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Definitely feel you re: indistinguishably attractive male main characters. But Jennifer Lawrence is All The Hot so I’d just be watching that regardless.
  
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2. Laneia (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 1:15 pm Permalink Reply
  
  I feel like Josh Hutcherson will stand out as Peeta, and then we’ll remember Gale as “that other boy who isn’t Peeta,” which is really all Gale should hope for from me anyway.
  
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hawk
November 14, 2011 at 1:19 pm Permalink Reply

i may be alone in this but i thought the book kind of sucked? couldn’t even bring myself to pick up the second one. i am hoping the movie will improve upon the aspects of the book that bothered me. the trailer looks pretty, anyway

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1. seemsforever
  November 15, 2011 at 12:24 am Permalink Reply
  
  i think you’re majorly alone in this. sorry dude.
  
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2. Jessica (member)
  November 15, 2011 at 4:25 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  No, I agree with you. I read all three fairly quickly (they’re pretty simple books that aren’t that long, so it’s not hard to do) and they were pretty lacking, both in plot and character development. I love dystopias, but maybe because it was YA it wasn’t as in depth as I would like it to be. I too hope that the movie will be better than the books.
  
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  1. moose (member)
    November 15, 2011 at 4:59 am Permalink Reply Report user
    
    hey, they are better than twilight .
    
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    1. vul (member)
      November 15, 2011 at 9:58 am Permalink Reply Report user
      
      The funny thing is, I’m sure a lot of Twilight fans picked this book up because Meyer recommended it. Heck, they even had Meyer’s gushing quotes all over the cover.
      
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    2. Jessica (member)
      November 15, 2011 at 2:01 pm Permalink Reply Report user
      
      Hahah, true, but let’s face it, Twilight set the standard pretty low.
      
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3. vul (member)
  November 15, 2011 at 9:55 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I don’t understand the hype. I liked the first book, though it felt like a poor man’s Battle Royale. I liked the strong and resourceful female character who aside from family had no fucks to give. But the next books went downhill. I think the author was trying too hard to force a love triangle, and also prove a point that Oppression Sucks and War Will Ruin You.
  
  Well, of course. But then, as a dystopian, I’m not sure what it’s warning against. I don’t feel anyone sees Panem as a viable future.
  
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kells (member)
November 14, 2011 at 1:56 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Um, I read this entire trilogy in about 4 days… I cannot wait for the movie. I’m not at all disappointed in the casting, for once in my life!

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Arianna (member)
November 14, 2011 at 3:59 pm Permalink Reply Report user

IT LOOKS SO GOOD. THEY GOT THE AESTHETIC RIGHT. I AM SO EXCITED FUCK.

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moose (member)
November 14, 2011 at 5:23 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I. JUST. CAN’T. WAIT.

I almost didn’t watch this. But I did. I’ve been crying all sorts of crap recently, so I’m not surprised I cried over this. HA.

I’m not all that impressed by any of the castings, but I’ll be open-minded.

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Nell (member)
November 14, 2011 at 5:33 pm Permalink Reply Report user

March? MARCH?! I want to see it now. Or at least a couple weeks from now when I’m done the books.

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alice
November 14, 2011 at 5:35 pm Permalink Reply

yay!!! i can’t wait to see the movie! i’m always worried that movies won’t live up to the pic i have in my head, but it’ll b interesting to see how they do the movie…

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kd15 (member)
November 14, 2011 at 5:54 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I loved the trailer so much. I was a little worried but now I just can’t wait for March to get here so I can see it. I’m glad they didn’t show anything from the games.

Prim had the mockinjay pin!

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kix (member)
November 14, 2011 at 6:48 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I joined Autostraddle just so I can say how excited I am about this movie! Although it’ll be super hard to wait for Catching Fire if Johanna looks anything like what I picture in my head.

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1. Steph (member)
  November 14, 2011 at 8:50 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Ever since Kristen Bell started campaigning for that role, I’ve been picturing her as Johanna. If they cast her, it will DEFINITELY be a long wait.
  
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Leavens (member)
November 14, 2011 at 7:27 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I avoided all the speculation and media about the film for so long because I didn’t want to be disappointed. Having seen the trailer, I am super stoked.

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justdontgiveup (member)
November 14, 2011 at 7:36 pm Permalink Reply Report user

OMGYESYESYES!!!

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roxy (member)
November 14, 2011 at 7:55 pm Permalink Reply Report user

what are peoples’ thoughts on the third book? too soon? i was kind of disappointed and part of me wants the third movie to be totally different.

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1. moose (member)
  November 15, 2011 at 5:01 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I think the third book is the weakest. I think I was mostly frustrated with the lack of interaction between Katniss and Peeta and Gale.
  
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2. Bree (member)
  November 15, 2011 at 9:00 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I thought it was all right, up until the ending.
  
  SPOILERS.
  The ending of the book? SO out of character for Katniss. I was pissed off. I guess that was too vague to count as a spoiler.
  
  But anyway, Mockingjay wasn’t my favorite, and the ending was definitely, definitely weak, but it didn’t deter me from wanting to reread the damn trilogy as soon as I had finished.
  
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3. Ava (member)
  November 15, 2011 at 2:08 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I don’t hate the very ending of the third book because by then it’s like, whatever. But I hate a lot of the events of the third book. Mostly I hate that things just happen to Katniss, instead of her taking charge of anything. If that makes sense. I also hate…
  
  SPOILER
  
  … that Johanna doesn’t make it to the Capitol for the final showdown. I kept waiting for her to show up with like, guns blazing, and it never happened, which sucked.
  
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  1. vul (member)
    November 17, 2011 at 7:46 pm Permalink Reply Report user
    
    I also was waiting for an awesome Johanna appearance.
    
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Beez (member)
November 14, 2011 at 10:08 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I can’t even with this trailer. I’ve only read the first book so far (I missed my flight and was in a terrible mood and buying new books makes everything better so I bought it and read it during the four hours I had to kill until the next flight…long story short, I guess). I then proceeded to openly cry like a crazy person in the airport at least twice while reading the thing. No one mistook me for a terrorist, BUT. The other two books are only in hardback and I can’t bring myself to pay that much. Life is hard.

I can’t wait for this movie.

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seemsforever
November 15, 2011 at 12:22 am Permalink Reply

you guys, i just started working for scholastic & everyone’s completely losing their shit over this thing. i’m ridiculously excited. oh my word.

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Blaze
November 15, 2011 at 10:56 am Permalink Reply

IMO these people are all way too hot to be wrecked by poverty. But, you know, Hollywood. I’m excited for these movies.

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mp
November 15, 2011 at 8:26 pm Permalink Reply

Also? They ended both this trailer and the previous sneak peek (the one with Katniss running through the forest) with the Song of Rue. And that makes me blub.

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Caroline
November 16, 2011 at 4:23 pm Permalink Reply

OMG As soon as I saw the trailer I dropped what I was doing (Making wedding cd’s for my friend’s mom)and watched it like 20 times. Holy fuck Katniss is cute! And then I made a photomanip of that pic in the trailer just as she’s about to shoot at the target for a wallpaper (It turned out great and can be found here: http://wildstorm-warrior.deviantart.com/art/Katniss-Everdeen-269302086)

My running comentary while watching the trailer:
Gale looks realy weird. Not at allll how I pictured him. Not bad with Prim. Katniss is gorgeous!!! Such beautiful eyes and lips! I’m in love. Effie’s dress scares me. Cinna doesn’t look like I pictued him but he still looks good. I pictured district 12 ppl wearing darker browns and grays not all this light color stuff. Peeta looks fine. And Haymich looks like a hobo they picked off a street corner (which is a good thing). Overall not bad looking movie!!!!!! So far so good! So excited to see it!!!!

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Nina (member)
November 17, 2011 at 7:38 am Permalink Reply Report user

I cannot stop watching this trailer. Gorramit, why don’t I own the books? Gotta do something with all this OMG geeking out energy since the movie won’t come out for awhile.

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magiclovemuffin (member)
November 17, 2011 at 5:47 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I haven’t read the books, but lots of people have told me I should. This seems like one of those books that makes a better movie than a book. The trailer looked slightly cheesy to me. Then again, I’ve always preferred books to movies. I think one’s imagination is more powerful and more limitless than special effects! This makes me want to read the books though…

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E (member)
November 17, 2011 at 7:16 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Does anyone else feel like her father’s hunting jacket has a very feminine cut? I do.

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