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Mockingjay News
Jena Malone posted this self-portrait from the Catching Fire set to her instagram yesterday with the caption:
Johanna Mason self portrait in the bathroom of my trailer. On the set of Catching Fire. So excited for the next two installments. When the world turns completely upside down :)
We're excited too, Jena!
According to Access Atlanta, Mockingjay will return to The Swan House very soon to film additional scenes:
The historic building on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center was the site for a good bit of filming for "Catching Fire," the second in the "Hunger Games" series. Elaborate party scenes were filmed on the grounds and interior scenes were filmed in the dining room. An upstairs room served as President Snow's office.
The series finale, "Mockingjay," which will be split into two movies, returns in a few weeks. The Swan House staff is readying for the movie's return by emptying out the living room on the main level, close to the dining room.
Additionally, CLCasting, who have been doing most of the extras casting for Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2, have announced a "Last Chance" opportunity for casting in the "Untitled Trilogy" (which we all know is MJ). The types they need are things like "GREAT LOOKING MEN AND WOMEN" for a "Mansion" scene, "Peacekeepers," and "Council Men and Women." All of these parts shoot between March 26th and April 17th, which is supposedly the last day of shooting in Atlanta.
Sounds like they could be shooting the scenes in Mockingjay where Katniss and Snow have their final confrontation in his quarters, where Katniss reaches City Circle and Snow Mansion, and maybe even you-know-what (major twist) scene on the front lawn of Snow Mansion. And if you don't, go back and read Chapter 26.
Director Francis Lawrence talks about this particular scene in the Catching Fire filmmaker commentary:
"It was fun to design the entrance to [Snow's] house that will become key in the next movies, in Mockingjay. The entrance from the square - there's a big scene that takes place in Mockingjay right outside the house here."
Thanks to our friend strawberrycupcakeprincess for the tip!
Who knew a picture of a CAT could give me so many feels?! Mockingjay producer Nina Jacobson tweeted this set photo of Prim's beloved cat with the caption, "Resting between takes." Awwww!
You could witness movie making live and in person on the set of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay!
For a small donation to the Kristen Ann Carr Fund, you will be entered to win a trip for you and a guest to Atlanta to spend a day with producer Jon Kilik on the set! (flights and two night hotel accommodations included)
Jon will personally show you around, introduce you to some of the cast members who are working that day, watch behind the scenes and have lunch with you on set!
*The Hunger Games: Mockingjay set visit experience will take place on April 14, 15 or 16. Enter HERE by April 4th.
A new picture from the Mockingjay set featuring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and one cute puppy was tweeted yesterday then quickly deleted. The tweeter said that they were holding her grandmother's dog.
Mahershala Ali (Boggs) spoke with Vulture about his current role as Remy Danton on House of Cards, and they also managed to sneak in a couple of questions about Mockingjay.
You’re also in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay. Does Jennifer Lawrence fall down a lot on set?
[Laughs.] No, she stays on her feet on set, unless it’s written that she falls down. And I’d have to say that, out of everyone, she’s the coolest.
Can you talk at all about the rewrites that had to happen after Philip Seymour Hoffman died?
There’s one scene in particular that he really has to be in, and I think they’re going to address that with new technology that’s available to them now. But other than that, he’d already shot a lot of the stuff in part one and some key scenes in part two. He just was really wonderful to work with. Such an education coming to work and seeing him break down scenes and make suggestions and just raise the bar — like, take something that is almost a throwaway line and make it into something that is so much more important than what it was even intended to be. I’ve never seen anyone — and I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really terrific actors in my time — but Philip Seymour Hoffman is definitely the best I ever had the opportunity to work with.
Read the article at Vulture.com
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay director Francis Lawrence spoke with USA Today about the sudden loss of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman:
The Atlanta cast and crew of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay were devastated when they learned of cast member Phillip Seymour Hoffman's sudden death, says director Francis Lawrence.
"It was obviously very rough for all of us," Lawrence tells USA TODAY. "He was a friend. He was an amazing actor, an iconic actor. He was someone I really looked up to."
On the Atlanta set, filmmakers gave shocked and bereaved cast and crew members time to process their grief. "We shut down for a day to give people time to deal with the sudden shock of it all. And to try and sort of figure things out a little bit," says Lawrence.
After coming back to work, the entire cast and crew gathered for a special moment to pay respects to Hoffman.
"We as a cast and crew definitely honored him," says Lawrence. "We gathered everyone together and had a big moment for him. We still think about him every day. It's hard not to imagine him being here."
"It's something so sudden, so shocking," Lawrence added.
Hoffman starred as head gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The Academy Award winner had been shooting his role in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 in Atlanta. A European shoot was to follow.
Hoffman's death is not expected to affect therelease dates of Mockingjay, Part 1 on November 21and Mockingjay, Part 2 on November 20, 2015.
Lawrence said Hoffman was "mostly finished" with his work on the Mockingjay set.
"There was very, very little that was left. Even if (Hoffman) had a number of days left," says Lawrence. "Most of those moments were appearances in other scenes. Most of his dialogue was done."
Clearly, working with the loss of the key character will lead to some continued difficulties.
"We're still figuring some of that out," says Lawrence.
Natalie Dormer talked to Stephen Milton of Independent.ie about being a "hostage" in the recent Atlanta "Snow-apocalypse" in Atlanta while filming Mockingjay. She also spoke a little about working with the cast and shaving her head for the role. Sounds like production will wrap in June:
I anticipate Natalie Dormer will soon regale me with smug woes of sweltering brows and peeling sunburn when she answers her hotel room phone in Atlanta.
"Are you joking," she dolefully chuckles, "we're in a declared state of emergency here. It's 'Snow-apocalypse'. I'm a total hostage."
Admittedly, it's February and the Northern US has been experiencing a 'mild' touch of the Arctic conditions of late. Though one figures the steamy Peach State would escape the chill.
And, turns out, the production team of the new Hunger Games chapter, Mockingjay, was also of the same mind.
"Shooting's come to a complete halt. And I wouldn't mind but I'm now sporting half a shaven head. The need for woolly hats has never been greater."
The cupid bow-lipped siren – initially known for a flounced-up searing portrayal of Anne Boleyn in The Tudors and then, transcending the 16th century for Game of Thrones middle age of yore as Margaery Tyrell, Prince Joffrey's affiance – has flipped the bird to her 'bodiced' typecast by giving half her noggin the blade one treatment for the upcoming role as freedom fighter, Cressida, in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and 2.
Debuting the look at the SAG awards last month, it magnified her feline features, showcasing a comfortable versatility.
And Natalie, who stars alongside Brenda Fricker in this weekend's release, A Long Way from Home, was actually willing to go fully bald for the cause.
"When I got the job a few months ago, it was under the condition that I was going to lose all my hair, which I'd made my peace with. "Thankfully, a U-turn meant I only lost half, which was a huge bonus.
"But it's just a colossal production to be a part of and the joy of being able to get physical and run around with Jen [Lawrence] and the boys, is fantastic and long overdue for me. It's frustrating when you're Margaery Tyrell and the likelihood of getting a sword in your hand is pretty low."
Shooting continues in Atlanta until the end of March, before moving to Paris and Berlin, with a wrap date looking to be around the beginning of June.
Read more from the article about Natalie's roles in Game of Thrones and A Long Way From Home HERE.
Remember back in December when the big Mockingjay casting announcement came out: Robert Knepper is Antonius! And we all went, "Whaaaaa???? Whoooooo??" We eventually found out Antonius is President Snow's Minister, a small part created for the films but not in the books. Turns out the actor playing him is still a little clueless as to who Antonius is. He spoke to MTV News about his mystery character:
"I don't even know yet!" Knepper said laughing. "I know what I read for. I read, this was last summer... This is a huge movie. This is a huge two movies, and I know that what I got is not what I'll end up doing, they're so secretive about this."
For roles in blockbusters like Hunger Games, this is pretty typical: an actor will audition for a role reading "sides," short pieces of script that give the sense of the character while not actually being from the movie's script itself. This is done not just to prevent leaks and spoilers, but also because a character as they appear in the movie may have minimal dialogue that doesn't suggest everything a casting director needs to see in an audition.
Knepper did get the part, though, and will be heading to Paris in April to shoot his segment of the mega-franchise. Hopefully by then he'll have a better idea of what to expect.
"You're going to find out when I find out," Knepper continued. "Well, I'll find out a little bit sooner than you, but I still haven't found out for sure!"
Julianne Moore has admitted that her role as President Alma Coin in the upcoming The Hunger Games: Mockingjay comes with a "huge responsibility to the book".
"There are some things that have been written that the fans are adamant be there," Moore told Digital Spy exclusively. "We're taking that responsibility very seriously."
Moore also said playing US politician Sarah Palin in Game Change didn't influence her portrayal of Mockingjay's ruthless President.
"They don't have a whole lot to do with one another. When you're playing a real person, all your research is really about how that person speaks and moves and is physically."
Mockingjay Part 1 & 2 producer Nina Jacobson has been teasing the crap out of us this week and we LOVE it! She already got us totally riled up with her white rose tweet yesterday, and today she pretty much confirmed that Tigris will be a part of Mockingjay (almost certainly Part 2). Tigris is a small but key character and it's great to see that she's going to make it to the screen. No casting has been officially confirmed yet, but I certainly can't wait to see how they bring her to life!
Another Tigris Tweet! Check out Nina's latest update about Tigris in the Mockingay movies.
Mockingjay producer Nina Jacobson tweeted a photo of white roses this morning, presumably from the set, with the caption, "Thirteen is alive and well and so am I."
If you're here, you probably already know what Mockingjay scene this line comes from and why we're TOTALLY FREAKING OUT right now. We'll try to keep this spoiler-free for those of you who don't remember or haven't read the books (please go read the books!), but it's the scene where Katniss has a major realization and breakdown after a little "gift" from President Snow. And just thinking about them actually filming this scene today is a lovely little "gift" from Nina Jacobson!
Sam Claflin was one of 20 cover stars of Hunger Magazine's Mighty Blighty issue, out today. In the feature Sam talks about his life and career and, of course, The Hunger Games films.
Hunger: We last spoke to you two years ago. Talk us through what’s been happening in your life since then.
Sam Claflin: I think I was engaged then, and I can now safely say that I’m a married man. That’s probably one of the biggest steps I’ll ever take in my life. Other than that I’ve been involved in a few projects in the industry , one being The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which is the second installment of The Hunger Games trilogy. I also managed to squeeze in a romantic comedy, and a drama based on a play, called Posh. I think that’s pretty much my life in the last two years. Squeezing in a wedding in the middle of all that was near impossible.
How’s married life treating you?
I don’t think there’s a huge amount that has changed about our life, other than the added responsibility of looking after a puppy. We bought a Cockapoo, which is a mix between a cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. I think the fact that I could say cock and poo in one word is what sold the idea to me.
Is it difficult being away from your wife Laura [Haddock] and your puppy when you’re filming abroad, or do you get used to it?
It’s always been difficult. I don’t think you can ever get used to the distance. It’s not only my wife and the puppy, it’s England in general. I really struggle, and I miss the lifestyle that I have here. I miss my local pub and waking up in my own bed.
You’ve said before that you’re not interested in fame. Being part of The Hunger Games trilogy, do you think it’s something you’re going to have to get used to?
Maybe, but it’s hard to predict. I didn’t do the movie to be famous. I chose to do it partly as a way to get my face and name out there and to hopefully open a few more doors, but also because it’s a project that I’m hugely interested in. I watched the first movie and I was a huge fan, so it has been a real creative curve in my career to be able to work with this incredible cast of actors, directors and producers on [something] that I’m proud to watch back.
The Hunger Games is a huge Hollywood blockbuster. Do you think that to make it as an actor these days you have to have Hollywood in your sights?
To be one hundred percent honest, I did not at all have Hollywood in my sights when I left drama school. I just never assumed that it was a possible dream. Part of me was expecting to lose from day one, and I definitely had no higher hopes than to be on the stage in some sort of touring production.
In your last interview with us you said that you tend to look at the negative side of life rather than the positive. Is that still the case ?
I think so. It's only because I don't want to guess at what might not happen. I don't want to live in disappointment. My expectations are very low, so in that sense I look at life in a negative way. I do dream big, but I don't ever think those dreams will come true. Luckily so far those dreams have gone quite well, but I know full well that it could all end tomorrow, and people might work out that I can't act ! [Laughs]
That's very British.
I save half of everything. I earn purely because I think, "I don't want to be overtaxed." I don't want to get caught short. I'm basically preparing for an apocalypse.
You used to be caretaker at drama school. Have you splurged in anything so far ?
Nothing except the house that I'm currently living in, and the dog, and perhaps the wedding. There's no yacht moored in the Mediterranean! My house was very run-down, an absolute shithole to be honest, before we did it up. I remember Laura's face, walking in for the first time. She quite literally gagged because it stank so much. I was like, "Cover your nostrils and look at the potential!"
We're next going to see you in Posh, an adaptation of Laura Wade's play. What initially drew you to that script ?
I think the fact that I'd heard so much positive feedback about the stage version of it. When I read the script for the first time, I was blown away. It's a world that I'm not familiar with whatsoever, so I knew it was going to be challenging. I thought that it was my opportunity to prove the world that I can do more than just be the guy who falls in love. Thankfully I made my feelings clear to the director and she was happy to oblige!
You've said before that you're not too hot on the political jargon. Are you up on it now ?
No, not at all ! Even though I didn't have to learn about what I was saying as long as I could say it, it was important for me to read essays from university students that were very similar to the ones my character wrote, so I had an idea of the surrounding elements of what he was talking about.
How was the set of Posh ? Was it easier having a cast of people your own age around you?
Yeah, it really added to the chemistry. What was great is that out of the ten of us there were seven or eight boys who I knew very well already. We all hung out off set despite being in London. Normally, when you film in London, people have a tendency to go home and go back to their lives, it's like an office job, but we made it very clear that we all wanted to socialise off set too. Recently we all met up for a night out. It makes sense to champion the talent at home, there's an abundance of it right now. I think the cast of Posh is the epitome of young, amazing British talent.
How it the third instalment of The Hunger Games coming along ?
We're actually filming it now, and as much as I'm enjoying being back in London and having a lovely month off, it's going to be full steam ahead. I've only filmed one day so far!
Read Much More After the jump!
Thanks to SamClaflinFans for the photos and transcript - see more photos and all the scans on their website!
Elizabeth Banks is currently supporting The Listerine 21 Day Challenge, which supports Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America program in their goal of connecting at-risk children with needed access to oral care. She snapped her own “Swish Selfie” on the red carpet at the launch of the challenge on Thursday to trigger an immediate donation of $21,000 to Oral Health America.
Talk at the Los Angeles event inevitably turned to Jennifer Lawrence, Mockingjay and Philip Seymour Hoffman:
So, speaking of things that ladies love, give us some inside scoop about hanging with JLaw?
Well, recently everyone surprised me on the set of Mockingjay with a birthday cake! That was really fun. And, of course, the first person to delve into my cake was Jennifer. I will say she’s a girl who likes to eat and I love that about her.
As far as the Hunger Games go, are there any surprises hardcore fans of the book won’t see coming?
Honestly, I can’t say anything about Mockingjay! Ahhh!! We’ll both end up hurt somewhere! I think the hardcore fans can expect exactly what both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire delivered, Mockingjay is going to be as faithful a rendition of Suzanne’s Collins’s world and books and characters as we can put out!
“I am almost done,” she said. “I’m going to miss playing Effie, she’s one of my all-time favorite characters. I have such a ball with her & this cast & I will miss it. It’s absorbing because we still put the movies out so we’ll still have our little reunions, which I’m looking forward to. I have two more years of getting reunited with all these wonderful people!”
And what was it like to work with Philip Seymour Hoffman?
I’d really rather not discuss it. He was an incredible actor that I respected greatly and I will miss tremendously.
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Woody Harrelson in Catching Fire
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Philip Seymour Hoffman had one major, emotional scene left to film in the final installment of the Hunger Games series, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. THR spoke with a Lionsgate executive who said, "We’re all extraordinarily sad. But as it relates to production, it’s going to have no impact. Obviously, we're going to have a couple of work-around issues but the movie will be creatively whole. His performances in both [remaining] movies will be up to the best of his craft. We feel it will be a good tribute to him."
Hoffman died tragically on Sunday of an apparent drug overdose.
The Lionsgate executive would not expand on the crucial scene that remains to be shot. But fans can certainly guess what scene it might be. Lionsgate previously stated that the actor had about a week of filming left on Mockingjay Part 2. The final film in the series is set for release in November 2015.
A source with ties to the project said that with the exception of one major scene in the final film, "they seem to have plans that don’t seem very complicated" to complete both pictures without Hoffman. "You can do digital things, you can have conversations where you’re not focusing on him but the people he’s talking to," this observer said.
Rob Legato, a veteran effects supervisor whose latest credit is The Wolf of Wall Street, says he has no specific knowledge about the Hunger Games films but at this point, technology is most likely good enough to generate a convincing image of Hoffman, though some scenes might need to be rewritten. "These days the technology of using someone's likeness is a whole lot easier to do," he said. "I won't say you could generate a Philip Seymour Hoffman with all the acting ability, but you could certainly replicate him for a shot or two."
On a personal note:
The LAST thing we want to do is be insensitive in reporting this information. A man has died tragically which is completely devastating to his loved ones and fans and, obviously, this is the most important part of any story about Philip Seymour Hoffman. We are providing information, which is our commitment to you as a Hunger Games fan site. It's completely natural for people to be curious about what happens next, and we're simply providing that information to the numerous fans who have repeatedly asked us for it.
Variety is reporting that Philip Seymour Hoffman was nearly finished shooting his portion of Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2:
With Hollywood still in shock over the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lionsgate was forced to consider how it will move forward with the industry’s most lucrative franchise now, The Hunger Games, which currently is in production on its final two installments, Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2.
Hoffman, who was found dead Sunday morning in New York of an apparent drug overdose, joined the hit franchise in its most recent installment, Catching Fire, playing the game master Plutarch Heavensbee. That film grossed a giant $860 million at the worldwide box office.
According to Lionsgate, the majority of Hoffman’s scenes had been completed, with just seven days left to shoot on Mockingjay — Part 2.
Release dates (Nov. 21 and Nov. 20, 2015) for either installment will not be affected, Lionsgate said.
The Mockingjay shoot began in September in Atlanta and is planned to last into the spring, before shifting to Berlin and Paris for a month, ending in May. Both installments are shooting simultaneously.
Additionally, Lionsgate released a statement saying, “Philip Seymour Hoffman was a singular talent and one of the most gifted actors of our generation. We’re very fortunate that he graced our ‘Hunger Games’ family. Losing him in his prime is a tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Philip’s family.”
Hoffman’s part in the last Hunger Games became more significant by the end of the film, though it still was a supporting role.
UPDATE: Jennifer Lawrence, Mockingjay director Francis Lawrence, author Suzanne Collins, and producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik released a joint statement following the news of Hoffman’s death.
“Words cannot convey the devastating loss we are all feeling right now. Philip was a wonderful person and an exceptional talent, and our hearts are breaking. Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to his family.”
Sam Claflin, Liam Hemsworth and Francis Lawrence were all spotted on the Mockingjay set in Atlanta, GA yesterday. Looks like the snow day break is over and they're back to work on the movie.
CL Casting, the company that's doing the Mockingjay casting in Atlanta, just posted some VERY intriguing casting calls that suggest they might be gearing up to film Finnick and Annie's wedding! Why is this exciting? Because it's Finnick and Annie's wedding!!
The first call asks for Contra dancers, "In which couples dance in two facing lines or a square."
The second call works the same days and calls for a fiddler:
When you read this excerpt from Mockingjay it all starts coming together:
After the kiss that seals the union, the cheers, and a toast with apple cider, the fiddler strikes up a tune that turns every head from 12. We may have been the smallest, poorest district in Panem, but we know how to dance. Nothing has been officially scheduled at this point, but Plutarch, who's calling the propo from the control room, must have his fingers crossed. Sure enough, Greasy Sae grabs Gale by the hand and pulls him into the center of the floor and faces off with him. People pour in to join them, forming two long lines. And the dancing begins.
Thanks to our friedns at The Hob.org who figured this out first and got our Fannie fangirl hearts freaking out!
E! Online spoke with Natalie Dormer at the SAG Awards, where she debuted her half-shaved Mockingjay hairdo, and they just revealed a little more from their conversation on the red carpet. Dormer says she is ecstatic about being a part of the Hunger Games family.
The 31-year-old actress, who plays Cressida in the upcoming two Mockingjay films, gushed about the highly anticipated films and her awesome costar Jennifer Lawrence.
"It's the best family to be a part of," Dormer said. "I'm so happy to be a part of the Hunger Games family, really."
As for her character in the film, Dormer explained, "Cressida, she's a documentary filmmaker turned rebel. She's left the Capitol to join the rebellion against Snow. She's got that Capitol funk style going on, but now she's like practical rebel and believes in the cause."
And Dormer definitely gets in on the action scenes alongside Lawrence's Katniss. "Well, anyone who knows the book knows that Cressida follows Katniss into the field," she dished. "I'm pretty much Katniss' guide for the majority."
As for working with J.Law, Dormer says "yes" she's as cool as you'd think. "She's a total chick," she said. "She's gorgeous."
Dormer also had to shave half of her head for the Mockingjay role. "The hair department of Mockingjay did it and I love it," she told us. "A little trepidation, but I was excited."
Bart Mueller, left, and Kurt Swanson. Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Lionsgate has confirmed that costume designers Bart Mueller and Kurt Swanson will head the Mockingjay films' costume design, succeeding original franchise designer Trish Summerville. Summerville chose to work on the film adaption of David Fincher's Gone Girl instead of completing the Hunger Games series, Summerville's rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
Although the design duo wouldn't reveal any details to the project, they did express being "so excited" when reached via email.
Mueller and Swanson are nominated for a Costume Designers Guild Award for their recent work on the Matthew McConaughey- and Jared-Leto-starring Dallas Buyers Club. "With such committed actors, we really loved being part of bringing these characters to the screen," expressed Mueller and Swanson about their nomination. The fact that it’s getting so much attention and that people are seeing this movie is really rewarding. The CDG nomination is icing on the cake. "
They've previously worked on Britney Spears' "Lucky," "Stronger" and "Slave 4 U" music videos, and also designed the look of HBO's fashion industry-focused How To Make It In America.
