Lionsgate Pictures has released a new clip from its upcoming young adult fantasy film The Hunger Games, based on the novel of the same name. Warning – definite spoilers follow.
This clip depicts Katniss’ departure. She’s saying goodbye to her life-long friend Gale, after volunteering for the Hunger Games in her sister’s place. Each tribute gets a private room in which to see each of her friends and family for a few seconds apiece.
The scene’s not a particularly pivotal or even interesting one – more interesting is when Peeta’s family stops in – but it does give us a look at Gale’s portrayal, which I’m not particularly impressed with. Luckily, he’s not a major player in the first book, so we won’t see all that much of him in this film.
The synopsis is thus:
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.
Also, here’s the trailer for reference:
Due to early ticket sales, The Hunger Games is already a successful picture, and the author of the books has come out in direct support of the adaptation, now that she’s seen it in its entirety. It’s shaping up to be a pretty big win for Lionsgate, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they announce soon that the second book will be adapted right away.
The Hunger Games, which stars Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, and Josh Hucherson, hits theaters on March 23, 2012.
