First announced here on March 5th was the feature film adaptation of the Scholastic book from author Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games (the first in a trilogy), which was pitched as Battle Royale meets Running Man (can you get any cooler?). It was announced today that Lionsgate has won worldwide distribution rights to the film, all of the details available inside.
Lionsgate is the last studio standing.
It has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film project "The Hunger Games," which will be derived from a futuristic young adult novel written by Suzanne Collins. Producer Nina Jacobson grabbed film rights to the book for her independent Color Force banner in a highly competitive environment two weeks ago.
Collins will adapt her own book for the screen.
Lionsgate president of motion picture production Alli Shearmur will oversee the project for the studio, along with senior vp motion picture production Jim Miller.
" 'The Hunger Games' is an incredible property, and it is a thrill to bring it home to Lionsgate," Shearmur said. "This is the exactly the kind of movie I came to Lionsgate to make: youthful, exciting, smart and edgy."
The Scholastic novel, which is the first in a planned trilogy, imagines a dystopian future (is there any other kind?) where North America has been divided into 12 oppressed districts, each of which is forced to send tribute in the form of a boy and a girl to compete in a televised battle to the death once a year. Released last year, the book had gained modest popularity until Stephen King and "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer publicly gave it kudos, propelling it onto best-seller lists.
"The suspense of 'The Hunger Games' is heightened by its spirit of moral inquiry," said Jacobson, "and Suzanne has entrusted Lionsgate and me to bring that moral perspective to the adaptation -- a charge we fully intend to honor."
Collins' second installment, "Catching Fire," is due on bookshelves Sept. 1.
Jacobson also has the adaptations "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Children of the Lamp" in development.
Though Lionsgate just released its latest Tyler Perry triumph -- his "Madea Goes to Jail" has grossed more than $83 million -- the company also has had great success with edgy genre fare like the "Saw" films.
"Hunger Games" involves a young love triangle in the context of a dark, "Battle Royale"-type scenario playing out on reality TV (much like King's "The Running Man").
"This is the exactly the kind of movie I came to Lionsgate to make: youthful, exciting, smart and edgy." > Everything "BR" wasn't. "BR" was all out, in your face, intelligent, and hardcore; and I loved every minute of it.
Lionsgate or not, NO way in hell this movie has the BALLS to do what "BR" did. I could also care less about kudos from the "Twilight" hack. Looks like an easy pass.
LMAO, my thoughts exactly, flesheater. How in the holy hell is anything published by Scholastic, which is the very definition of kiddie fare, going to be edgy or exciting? This isn't Harry Potter, it's more teen angst and romance. Comparisons to BR and Running Man only as far as the idea goes, that's about it. I wouldn't touch this movie if it came with a $20 bill.
I've read both of these books now and was interested to see if they would make the big screen transition. Make no mistake, though they are published through Scholastic, they can be relentless and brutal. In the first novel, more than 20 kids are murdered and even ripped to pieces in a variety of colorful way. While I doubt a lot of the gore will make it into the films, the imagery is certainly there for it. Another thing to note is that the author is adapting her own work, so honestly what she thinks is important will make it into the movie.
Comments Page 1 of 1 | You have to be logged in to comment! If you don't have an account register now for free! Your account allows you to post comments and reviews, upload videos and images, access or our forums, write personal blogs, and maintain your profile.
Print Story
Send to a Friend
