Post-Apocalyptic Young Adult Novel The Hunger Games Comes to the Big Screen
Just a couple of days ago I was reading something on the web about post-apocalyptic books, and somewhere in there was mention of Suzanne Collins’s young adult novel The Hunger Games. Now this morning we have news of a big screen adaptation of the book in development over at Lionsgate. Nina Jacobson (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) will produce, with Collins adapting her own book for the screenplay. Apparently the book has received rave reviews from Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), which explains the sudden interest. It does sound like a cool concept though.
The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy about a near future world where a dictatorship called the Capitol has taken over the world in the wake of a series of disasters. They organize an annual televised event where a boy and girl from each of the twelve districts are forced to participate in a game of survival, killing each other until only one remains. Basically it sounds like Battle Royale, The Long Walk and The Condemned, but for a slightly younger audience. I guess that means it may not be as violent, but either way I’m willing to give it a shot. I just hope this doesn’t turn out to be another disappointment like City of Ember. No word on when they are aiming to have the first movie out, but the second book, Catching Fire, will hit stores on September 1st. Has anyone out there read the first book?
Comments (27)
What is the reasoning in the book for sending these kids out to kill each other? This sounds ridiculous. If they were going to do this at all, wouldn’t it be adults they send? Why kids!?!
This perplexes me so much, I doubt I’ll have anything to do with the books or movie. Give me a justification that’s plausible. The backbone to speculative fiction is a premise based on plausibility.
Posted by Deven Science on March 18th, 2009Deven – The whole concept of the Hunger Games (the event in the self-titled novel) is that it’s a way to demonstrate the power the Capitol has over all districts that are part of Panem. The way to they choose to impose that power is by sending the kids – how much more threatened can you make someone feel than if you take their youth?
It’s dystopia. Worst possible scenario. Some (of the rare) criticism I’ve read of this novel is from people who can’t imagine things ever getting this bad. That good will prevail. Etc.
(To which I say – there are two more books, yes? We shall see.)
For what it’s worth, it’s a great thriller. Super fast read and I totally get why everyone is talking about it.
Though I have to say it was getting amazing buzz prior to publication and even prior to Stephenie Meyer’s blurb. It was reviewed by Steven King on EW and everything. So I don’t think it was solely Ms Meyer’s doing but rather the marketing plan that covered all the bases and let word-of-mouth take it from there.
Posted by Steph on March 18th, 2009I love this book. I think it will make a great movie, especially with the author working on the adaptation.
Posted by Vanessa on March 19th, 2009I HAVE read this book and the whole concept isn’t just about sending kids out to kill eaach other.PLEASE people give me a break. it’s about survival and i like it cause I could see how our world could turn out like this.
Posted by Katniss on March 23rd, 2009I personally thought this book was AMAZING from begining to end. It’s also about Love and a girls decision of what to choose and how to survive. to me its a look inside the soul n a way and what would you do in their situation?
So for those of you who are knocking it BEFORE you read it i suggest you pick up a copy of the book,READ it,THEN give your opinion. There is more to it then Kids being sent out against there will to kill eachother. It’s not like it focuses all the time in the book to details of that and is gory. Get OVER it.it’s not like that at all. It’s about learning to cope with one self in that situation and what to do.
LOVED this book Can’t WAIT to see what they do to it in the movie!
Oh and if you want to find out why they send kids out to kill eachother and not Adults…BUY the book and find out.
Posted by Katniss on March 23rd, 2009I Think people need to pick up the bok and give it a chance. You WON”T be sorry.I have to say This was one of the Best books i have read in a long time,Dying to know what would happen next and I read alot. I CAN’T WAIT till the next one comes out and to see how the movie will turn out too!
Posted by Enamorada on March 23rd, 2009For those of you who are freaking with the fact that the book has kids that kill eachother…first they don’t have a choice and also there is violence in thes world. Deal with it. The thing is that this story is aso about Love too and many more things..so please don’t judge it before reading it.
Bravo Steph…i agree.
Posted by Luna on March 23rd, 2009Have the book. Read it back in September. Been a big fan of Suzanne Collins for a while.
Very glad (but also sad) that the Hunger Games is going to become a movie. Glad because Suzanne Collins deserves the fame. Sad because it’s going to blow up and the fansites won’t be a small community anymore.
Posted by Sapphira on March 23rd, 2009They are making it into a movie! soooooooo excited, I wonder who is cast? If I could cast the film these would my choices:
If I were casting this movie I would cast: Megan fox as Foxface
Welch as peeta http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3647379200/nm0919616
maybe ben barnes as gale http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1773048320/nm1602660
and bianca Malino or Nicole Vaccaro as Katnis http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4105148160/nm2841629 http://www.imdb.com/media/rm863275776/nm3160727
Posted by Alley on March 30th, 2009wow the people you chose Alley really do suit the characters! nice one
Posted by Khary on April 16th, 2009i honestly hope it’s mostly talented unknowns, or with little knows. with suzanne adapting the screen play, i thinks fans have little to worry about.
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Posted by Mastablubba on May 21st, 2009mastablubba
I think it’s absurd to make it into a movie. I honestly think it’s too complicated to shove in an 80 minute time slot. In all honesty, I think they need to leave this piece of literature alone and have them finish gawking at Twilight and move onto something just as ridiculous.
Posted by Misa on July 9th, 2009I think the book is awesome!
I’ve read it at i just loved it!
I had hard to belive that i read it to the end,
the book whos like to good to just stop…
… I belive that making “The Hunger Games” into a Movie can be an suksess. I’ve whated a while looked on the internett after some hint to when the movie whil be made and about how long it’s belived to take…
But whel I’ve been lokking and I need some help…
Posted by 666 on August 21st, 2009…Is ther a 2nd book? of the hunger games?
kuz that ending just whosent good for me… I wanted to read more.(But when i saw the blank page i ALMOST began to Cry)…
Hey guys, there is a site where you can post or vote for casts of book based movies and there is a page where you can make a hunger games cast, the site is called story casting. wooot!
Posted by Alley on August 22nd, 2009I just finished reading an advanced copy of Catching Fire, and it is better the the first book.
Posted by Sarah on August 27th, 2009they send kids to show to not only children and teenagers but also to adults, that the capital (government) has absolute power….its only a game to them
Posted by rachel on September 2nd, 2009You are an idiot these books are the best books ever written.
Posted by To the idiot that posted the first note on September 10th, 2009If u read the books u would no y those 24 teens have to go into the arena and kill each other
These books are amazing! I can’t wait until the movie comes out (I wonder if you have to be a profesional actor to audition)! LOL I fell in love with characters! This is the type of book that I wasn’t able to put down I even stayed up all night just to finish it! It was full of emotion and detail I cried and laughed. I hope there is a movie I will watch it over and over!
Posted by PeetaLover 101 :D on September 23rd, 2009please i want to be Katniss Everdeen and she is my idol ever since i read the first sentence of the hunger games i was jealous of her and it would mean the biggest thing for me to play her in the movie please someone get me there to fufill my dream please i want her life and all of you would get in for free in the movie once it first comes out if you get some one for me to audition for her part please i will love it if you did this one thing for me!!!! please!!!!
Posted by kylie on October 11th, 2009“The way to they choose to impose that power is by sending the kids – how much more threatened can you make someone feel than if you take their youth?”
No. It’s how much more threatened can you make someone feel if you take away their kids. Hunger Games preys on the fear of most people – how it really sucks to watch someone you love suffer without the power to help them, than to suffer yourself.
And kylie, begging won’t start you a career. It actually makes you look desperate and is the opposite of professional.
Posted by gunneos on October 18th, 2009Good god I love that book.
I agree. It better not be a disapointment like the city of ember. I could quite possibly go into an angry rage.
The book is so unique and thrilling, not to mention it’s been my favourite book for sometime now.
I’m not a twilight fan what so ever.
And knowning that Stephanie Meyer spread this to her Twilight obsessers is going to kill a lot of the joy I feel for the book because it will just become another twilight raving FAD.
Beside that point, I will always be a Suzanne Collins fan. Her writing is so amazing, and it’s rare to have the author produce the screenplay. So Ièm excited to see what comes of this.
The only downside is that I hope casting works out well. Having someone like Kristan Stweret play Katniss would kill the movie alone.
It will only be swarmed by twilighters.
I want fresh faces for this movie. Not the same old same old.
Posted by Sarah on October 19th, 2009I’m replying to Deven Science. THAT IS THE POINT OF THE BOOK! The Capitol (obviously the people in charge) is CRUEL, and it’s people cannot do anything about it! They take the adult’s KIDS to kill each other for ENTERTAINMENT. It’s all filmed and brodcasted on LIVE TELEVISION and is MANDATORY for the people of Panem (the fictional place this takes place in) to watch. This book brings to light how cruel the world actually can be.I personally LOVE this book, it’s my favorite book I’ve EVER read (and that’s saying something). I would recomend this book.
Posted by Hunger Games Lover on October 21st, 2009Why send children? The author said she got the idea from the ancient sacrifices in Crete. The idea is “There are worse things we can do than kill You: challenge us and we’ll kill your children.”
Posted by Dee on October 23rd, 2009To answer Deven Science’s question:
the capitol, or the people in charge, send the children because they want to make a point. Basically, ‘look how we take your children and sacrifice them, and there’s nothing you can do about it.’
They are doing it because there was a revolt against them, and this is their way of punishing the districts. Give the book a chance, that’s not all what the book is about. ;D
Posted by ~Sydney on October 29th, 2009The Hunger Games is a book for all audiences, except for maybe very young children. It is an epic thriller, and Cathching Fire is just as good. =)
Posted by ~India on November 10th, 2009Basically it’s a love story, but not your typical one, and there is much much more action than romance. Also, the series was popular before the whole Stephanie Meyers thing. Stephen King & John Green & Rick Riordan all gave it raving views as well. According to Stephen King, Suzanne Collins, unlike other popular authors, can actually write.
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