More 'Mockingjay' Details from Francis Lawrence and EW

Entertainment Weekly published a few more tidbits from their recent interview with Mockingjay director Francis Lawrence yesterday (see the scans of the Fall Movie Preview Issue HERE).

 

Having gone through the games one more time and having lost Peeta and having been run through the wringer, she’s even more damaged. So you find her in a more agitated place. She’s distraught, confused, angry.”

Collins’ final book presents a gritty narrative about Katniss’ role in the rebellion to overthrow the Capitol, with grim scenes of wartime brutality as the teen heroine struggles with the psychological consequences wrought by violence. But, says Lawrence, the upcoming installment won’t be entirely somber.

“There’s definitely some battles. There’s some of the first glimpses of real war in this movie. And the scale gets quite big,” he reveals. “There’s an atonal shift from some of the last movies, but they’re still very emotional, very sweeping, [on a] grand scale with some levity and humor.”

“Instead of changing the plot and changing characters what we did was have the opportunity to show scenes that could have been happening at different times in the book,” Lawrence says. “For us it’s world expansion instead of changing things. I think it’s exciting for the fan to see certain things. So we’ve been able to open the world up in this and see some new places. We get to see some new districts this time and the scope gets quite large.”

There’s also the addition of cast member Julianne Moore as rebel President Alma Coin, a character whose role has been expanded for the upcoming films. President Coin—who becomes reluctant allies with Katniss Everdeen in the rebellion’s efforts to overthrow President Snow—was written by author Suzanne Collins through Katniss’s perspective as narrator; she is perceived as ambitious and egotistical. But with Moore’s involvement, Lawrence says, the gray-haired politician’s role in his two-part finale has expanded significantly beyond her portrayal in the bestselling Hunger Games series..

“She actually sort of tracked us down and had an interest in the books through her kids,” Lawrence says. "She didn’t audition. Once we knew she wanted it, that was it—done,” Lawrence says, laughing. “I sat down with her, she had great ideas, we got along and that was it.”

“What’s interesting is although she’s a huge character in Mockingjay the book, there’s actually very little of her in it,” notes Lawrence. “There’s more of her in this than in the book and because of that, there’s some development. I think the character has developed into something pretty amazing. And Julianne was a big part of that.”

But one thing thing that won’t change? That’d be the love triangle between Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), Gale (Liam Hemsworth), and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson).

“With Mockingjay – Part I it’s tricky because Peeta is out of reach for her,” notes the director. “Obviously he becomes an objective for her, but Gale is right there, so that’s always a tricky situation.”

While Lawrence won’t reveal how he divided the final book in Suzanne Collins’ trilogy (“That’s going to be one of the really good surprises,” he says), he shares that the films will have “two different, very distinct stories.”

“Those objectives became the motives for us,” Lawrence explains. “This is where the meaning of the entire series comes into play. The answer to why these books exist exists in Mockingjay, and that’s really been exciting to me. That’s been kind of what I’ve hung on to through these stories.”

Julianne Moore Promotes 'Maps To The Stars' in Cannes

Julianne (and Robert Pattinson, nbd) at the Maps to the Stars press conferenceJulianne Moore has had a busy week in Cannes. After walking the red carpet at the Mr. Turner premiere and attending the Euphoria Calvin Klein Women in Film celebration on Thursday, she hit the Mockingjay photocall,  and the Mockingjay and Vanity Fair/Armani parties on Saturday. She also promoted her upcoming film Maps to the Stars at the film festival, attending a photocall, press junket and premiere over the last few days plus the Vanity Fair/Chanel dinner last night. Whew!

John Cusak, Julianne, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson, Evan Bird and Sarah Gadon

on the 'Maps' premiere red carpet. What a dress! (Chanel haute couture)Julianne and hubs Bart Freundlich at the VF party

The 'Mockingjay' Cast Attends the Vanity Fair/Armani Party at Cannes

All photos courtesy Vanity FairJennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Donal Sutherland and Julianne Moore all stopped by the Vanity Fair and Armani’s Cannes Film Festival party, hosted by Graydon Carter and Giorgio Armani at the luxe Hotel du Cap last night after the big Mockingjay party.

Josh Hutcherson

Sam Claflin and his wife Laura HaddockLiam Hemsworth and Robert PattinsonHarrison Ford with Julianne MooreSam Claflin goofing around with Suki Waterhouse

You can see all the photos and video from Lionsgate's big Mockingjay party HERE.

And check out the photos and video of the Mockingjay cast photocall at Cannes HERE.

Julianne Moore Attends the 2014 Cannes Film Festival

Julianne Moore (President Coin) is attending the Cannes Film Festival this year. She walked the red carpet at the Mr. Turner premiere and then headed to the Euphoria Calvin Klein Women in Film celebration on Thursday along with Lupita Nyong'o, Naomi Watts and Rooney Mara. Do you think she'll meet up with some of the Mockingjay cast for the big Lionsgate party tomorrow night?

First Look at 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1'

We are thrilled to share the official DIGITAL FIRST LOOK at THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1. With the debut of the new website TheHungerGamesExclusive.com, fans are given insider access to the most highly anticipated film of 2014: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1.

Series #1 features an exclusive look at District 13's President Coin, along with a video interview with Julianne Moore and a Q&A with director Francis Lawrence, producer Nina Jacobson, and screenwriter Peter Craig. Additionally, get first look images and behind-the-scene stills, an interactive sneak peek at a page from the film’s script, and the official motion poster.

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee and Julianne Moore as President CoinWoody Harrelson as Haymitch AbernathyJeffrey Wright as Beetee

US fans will also be given the chance to win an official page of the Mockingjay Part 1 script, featured on the site, signed by the cast and filmmakers by entering TheHungerGamesExplorer.com

There is SO much to explore on the new site, so head to TheHungerGamesExclusive.com for your all-access pass to the making of MOCKINGJAY!

Julianne Moore on 'Mockingjay' - "We have a Huge Responsibility"

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."

VIDEO: Julianne Moore on The View

Julianne Moore was a guest on The View Wednesday, Dec 11th. She was promoting her new Freckleface Strawberry app, but she also taked about how she discovered The Hunger Games series and revealed that she called her manager to ask, "Who is playing Coin?"

Julianne Moore On Mockingjay - "I'm Delighted To Be Doing It"

Julianne Moore by Dan MacMedan/USA Today

Julianne Moore is busy promoting he new movie, Carrie and  - lucky for us - that provides reporters with lots of opportunities to ask her questions about the Mockingjay films. Moore spoke with USA Today about taking on the role of Coin and how impressed she was with The Hunger Games books.

From USA Today:

Next, she's headed to the much-watched set of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay to take on the popular franchise's steely rebellion leader, President Alma Coin.

Moore says she was drawn to the part after reading the dystopian series. "My son read them when they first came out ... and then my daughter a few years ago started reading The Hunger Games. We were on vacation and I didn't bring a book to read, and she went and caught up with her brother to play ping-pong. I picked up her book and read it that afternoon, and then downloaded the other two on my iPad and tore through them."

Moore praises author Suzanne Collins' deft navigation of strong political themes. "They're books about war but with adolescent overtones," she says. "It's about, what is totalitarianism, what is revolution? How do people compromise, how do we repeat our mistakes? It's heartbreaking. I was really impressed by the books, so I'm delighted to be doing it."

The actress has completed makeup tests to play the silver-haired Coin and is heading to the Georgia set to begin filming soon. She says the Mockingjay team is trying to give fans the Coin they've imagined from the text. "I think everybody tries very hard to honor the book because there's so many people who have invested themselves in it," she says. Mockingjay, the Hunger Games trilogy's final book, will be split into two separate movies.

Read more about Moore at USA Today.

New York Magazine's Interview with Francis Lawrence

New York Magazine published an article on the recent surge in popularity of the Young Adult genre. In addition to several others, Catching Fire director Francis Lawrence was included in those being interviewed - and of course, there are a couple bits about the upcoming film.

A few popular YA books have struggled recently as film adaptations, like Mortal Instruments and Beautiful Creatures. Why does Hunger Games work?
Author Suzanne Collins was raised in a military family, so she grew up learning about the consequences of war. Even though it’s sort of an alternate world, it’s still relatable.

You have all these pedigree actors coming in, from Philip Seymour Hoffman in Catching Fire to Julianne Moore in Mockingjay. You could have had no-name actors, and the fans would have accepted that.
If you can have Philip Seymour Hoffman, get Philip Seymour Hoffman! And he loved the books, so he signed on. Same with Jeffrey Wright. Same with Julianne. If you can just get those amazing actors, then that’s 80 percent of my job.

The first film skimped a little on showing us the strategy behind the Katniss-Peeta love story. 
I felt the same. I felt the love story in general was, um, a bit buried in the first one. I wanted to bring the love story to the surface. And when I say love story, I mean the triangle.

Julianne Moore as President Coin in Atlanta

The first shot of Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin in Atlanta, courtesy of the Daily Mail:

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail

See More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2429938/Julianne-Moore-debuts-new-grey-hair-colour-stars-The-Hunger-Games-Mockingjay.html

 

Official: Julianne Moore is President Coin in 'Mockingjay Parts 1&2'

It's FINALLY official! Rumors have been swirling about Julianne Moore as Coin since well before San Diego Comic Con. We fansites even weighed in on her potential as Coin in the series, Campaigning For Coin (fyi, we LOVED the idea). It's true - Julianne Moore is your President Coin in Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2!

Julianne Moore is an award winning actress best known for her varied work in films such as The Kids Are All Right, The Big Lebowski, Magnolia, and Boogie Nights. She recently won an Emmy Award for her turn as Sarah Palin in Game Change.

She’s worked with Josh Hutcherson in The Kids Are All Right, Woody Harrelson in Game Change, and Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Big Lebowski, Boogie Nights, and Magnolia. And her upcoming film Seventh Son ALMOST had her working with both Jennifer Lawrence (she bowed out) and Sam Claflin (he auditioned for the lead).

You can connect with Julianne on Twitter, and whosay.

Is Julianne Moore Being Considered For Coin?

According to Deadline.com and The Hollywood Reporter, Francis Lawrence and Lionsgate are eyeing Julianne Moore for the role of President Alma Coin in Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2! Just a rumor for now, but stay tuned! Coincidentally, we JUST did an edition of the fan site series Campaigning For Coin on Moore. Check out what we had to say about her casting HERE. Hint: We give it a three finger salute. 

From Deadline:

EXCLUSIVE: As The Hunger Games moves into the final two movies culled from the Suzanne Collins novel Mockingjay, I’ve heard that Lionsgate and director Francis Lawrence are eyeing Julianne Moore to play the role of President Alma Coin. She is the manipulative politician who figures brightly in the finale as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) becomes a symbol of rebellion against the autocratic Capitol government. This is likely to happen quickly, and Moore would star in both of the final films, which brings back Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth and the returning cast along with Philip Seymour Hoffman, who will be making his first appearance in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which the studio is planning to bring to San Diego Comic-Con in July. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson is producing the series.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Julianne Moore is in early talks to join the third and fourth installments of The Hunger Games films.

The actress would play District 13 leader Alma Coin in the two-part adaptation of Suzanne Collins'Mockingjay, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Talks are early, but Moore would join a cast that includes stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth as well asPhilip Seymour Hoffman.

Campaigning For Coin: Julianne Moore

We are honored to be a part of the Hunger Games fan site series "Campaigning For Coin." Every Tuesday and Thursday the fan sites will be sharing our opinions on different actresses we think may (or may not) be right for the role of President Alma Coin in Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2. Be warned: Spoilers ahead!

Photo by Kenneth Willardt

Julianne Moore: She’s an award winning actress best known for her varied work in films such as The Kids Are All Right, The Big Lebowski, Magnolia, and Boogie Nights. She recently won an Emmy Award for her turn as Sarah Palin in Game Change. 

Down With The Capitol:

Aldrin: Now, I've seen Julianne Moore's acting and it's clear she knows what she's doing. I can go on and on about how I loved her in Nine Months or The Kids Are All Right (also starring Josh Hutcherson), but let's look at something very obvious that proves she's good for Coin: she played Sarah Palin in Game Change. Trying not to sound too political here, but Sarah Palin was someone who was given lots of power, some might say more than she should have had. Some supported her, some hated her. Sound familiar? Granted, Palin and Coin are two entirely different people in so many ways, but the general principle applies. Julianne Moore has experience playing a woman in power, who had to put on a tough exterior despite the fact that many disagreed with her actions. Combine that with her impeccable acting skills in so many other roels, and I think you've got someone who could play Coin perfectly.

HG Fireside Chat:

Adam: Julianne Moore may not be quite as vicious and belligerent as some of the other candidates, but she certainly can act. In my view, she would excel at portraying the softer side of Coin, which could be extremely effective in fooling the populace -- then, when she proves to be much worse, it will be as shocking as it was for Panem's citizens. Moore is famous recently for The Kids Are All Right and Game Change, but I see a parallel with her role as a blood-to-the-bone revolutionary in Children of Men. There, she was good, but she had some of the same character traits as Coin, and she proved plenty competent in handling them. Moore would not be my top top choice, but I would still be fine with her selection.

HG Girl On Fire:

Lindsay: I am a fan of Julianne Moore and I think she is a stellar actress. She has impressive range, and when I think of her, I think of both her big laughs, and her sad/angry expressions, all at once. Her previous characters that stick in my brain are from The Kids Are All Right, and her stint on 30 Rock (with that wicked awful Boston accent!). But for some reason she doesn't jump out at me for Coin. While I think she could play the role with her hands tied behind her back (well, not really, obviously), I just almost feel like I have NO opinion about her. Which makes me think I don't like her for the role. Would I be disappointed if she were cast? No way! She's a superstar and  has the Emmy Award and numerous Oscar nominations to prove it. But she's not my first choice.

My Hunger Games:

Jacqui: I am a big fan of Julianne Moore.  She is quite a few of my favorite movies, including the Big Lebowski, The Hours, Far From Heaven and The Kids are All Right.  Her perfomances are nuanced and compelling.  She is one of those actresses that can balance drama and comedy with great effect; she can come across as completely empathetic, but also mysterious and remote. Her career is a mix of diverse and interesting roles and she's definitely one of those onscreen people that you can't take your eyes off. I think she would definitely bring something special to the role of Alma Coin.

PanemPropaganda:

Molly: I admit Julianne Moore never crossed my mind as an option for Coin, but now that I’ve had it swirling around in my head for a while I’m starting to love the idea. She’s an amazingly versatile character actress, she’s the perfect age, and can’t you imagine her rocking a razor sharp grey wig? I can certainly see her as the icy Coin with her fair skin and (cue the contact lenses) grey, pale eyes the color of slush “you wish would melt away.”

Coin needs to be cool, calculating and, in the end, as evil as President Snow (some would say MORE evil!) Julianne Moore has a hugely varied resume and can seemingly do anything. She’s played the villain a few times but mostly in domestic, realistic situations. This could be a nice addition to her credits.

It could also be one great big reunion - She’s worked with Josh Hutcherson in The Kids Are All Right, Woody Harrelson in Game Change, and Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Big Lebowski, Boogie Nights, and Magnolia. And her upcoming film Seventh Son ALMOST had her working with both Jennifer Lawrence (she bowed out) and Sam Claflin (he auditioned for the lead). I’m giving a three finger salute to Julianne Moore for President Coin.

The Hob:

Lee: Julianne Moore is one of the more interesting choices to play President Coin. Her work is so diverse, it's a challenge to view any single performance and point to determine her ability to play Coin. The characters she has portrayed have a level of intensity and her performances always exude tremendous energy. Many of the roles have been determined women, focused and willing to take risks to succeed. These are all qualities that President Coin has. Always a chameleon in her roles, Ms. Moore would be visually striking with snow-white hair, sparkling eyes, and a sense of invincibility in her portrayal.

Victor’s Village:

Rebekah: If you follow my writing on Victor's Village at all, you should know by now that Julianne Moore is one of a handful of actresses I've already written up about as a potential Alma Coin. Face it, Julianne is no slouch where it comes to acting talent, she has one of the more diverse, and critically embraced careers of an A-list who's still regularly working actress out there. From her work in films like Benny & Joon, Short Cuts, Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski, A Map of the World, The End of the Affair, Magnolia, Far from Heaven, The Hours, The Children of Men, A Single Man, The Kids Are All Right, Game Change, and the recently released What Maisie Knew, she's proven herself as someone who 100 times over is capable of portraying every single kind of woman you can even remotely imagine. This woman is not afraid to take on even the most weird, the most despicable, the most shallow, and the most intense, and the most sad types of people. She's an actors actor, and the thought of her taking on a role like Alma Coin gives me giddy shivers down my spine, because I know she would sink her teeth into Alma's character like a juicy steak, and chew it slowly, precisely, and oddly beautifully. I've seen comments that some of the choices in this on going fan-casting series are too predictable, well-- Julianne Moore has never taken on a predictable project in her entire career. She does big budget films like The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Evolution with David Duchovny, and tiny art house films like Chicago Cab, and Savage Grace with Eddie Redmayne, and then mixes it up by taking a recurring role on 30 Rock opposite Alec Baldwin. No one, and I mean no one can say that Julianne Moore being cast as Alma Coin is predictable. This is why she's one of my top choices for Alma Coin, and also because I really really want to see her go head to head with Jennifer Lawrence.

Welcome To District 12:

Courtney/Tiffany: We are in agreement that Julianne Moore is one of our favorite actresses. She's a solid actress and has had a very diverse career. I mean, she has Maude Lebowski, Clarice Starling and Sarah Palin on her resume, to name a few. Sarah Palin is a perfect example of a role that Julianne already has under her belt and could be very helpful to her playing Coin. However, we do think that  her look isn't as cold and calculating as we imagine President Coin to be. But then again, that can work in her favor because who is to suspect ulterior motives from someone like Julianne Moore? A plus for her is that she has worked with Josh Hutcherson before, playing his mother in The Kids Are All Right. Last but not least she seems to be a fan favorite among THG fans, so that's a super bonus too!