by Kate Egan
As Collins told the New York Times, “It’s crucial that young readers are considering scenarios about humanity’s future, because the challenges are about to land in their laps. I hope they question how elements of the books might be relevant in their own lives. About global warming, about our mistreatment of the environment, but also questions like: How do you feel about the fact that some people take their next meal for granted when so many other people are starving in the world? What do you think about choices your government, past and present, or other governments around the world make? What’s your relationship to reality TV versus your relationship to the news? Was there anything in the book that disturbed you because it reflected aspects of your own life, and if there was, what can you do about it? Because you know what? Even if they’re not of your making, these issues and how to deal with them will become your responsibility.”
Like the next books in the series, the next films will show what happens when Katniss tackles some of these questions in her own life and begins to face the consequences.
As Gary Ross sees it, “Katniss begins the Games as someone who only fights for her own survival. But she ends the Games as someone who’s willing to give her own life for something bigger.”
What else would she die for? Jennifer Lawrence smiles, saying, “You have to remember — this is a girl who starts a revolution. This is a girl who changes the world!”
President Snow has been worried all along, Ross points out. From the moment Katniss shot the apple out of the pig’s mouth, he’s known Katniss was trouble. Anyone capable of defying authority like that was capable of defying him. Now the worst has happened. The Hunger Games — meant to keep the districts and their people in line — have been turned against him.
Ross says, “Snow realizes this girl is a huge threat. He can’t kill her, he can’t get rid of her — and yet at the same time he can’t live with her. That’s why the second book begins with their relationship ratcheted up to such a great degree.”
The next films in the series promise graver danger for Katniss.
Rebellion.
Revenge.
Tragic loss.
True love.
But the heart of the story remains the same. “Her ultimate strength is her strength of character,” Ross points out.
In future films, this mockingjay will soar.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the cast and crew of The Hunger Games for giving their time and sharing their memories so generously.
Thank you to Gary Ross, Nina Jacobson, and Jon Kilik for truly taking readers behind the scenes with their stories.
Thank you to Yon Elvira and Amanda Maes — this book would not have been possible without your help. And to the rest of the amazing team at Lionsgate: Tim Palen, Alli Shearmur, Joe Drake, Julie Fontaine, Kate Hubin Piliero, Rob McEntegart, David Nonaka, Douglas Lloyd, Michael Farmer, and Tanya Wolkoff.
Thank you to the miracle workers at Scholastic: David Levithan, Lindsay Walter, Rick DeMonico, Paul Banks, Sheila Marie Everett, and especially the ever-patient Emily Seife.
And thank you to Suzanne Collins, whose genius infuses every page of this book.
— K.E.
Copyright © 2012 by Scholastic Inc.
Unless otherwise credited, motion picture artwork and photography copyright © 2012 by Lions Gate Films Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Front cover photography by Tim Palen.
Unit Still Photography by Murray Close.
Photo of Suzanne Collins by Todd Plitt.
Jennifer Lawrence in Winter’s Bone: Winter’s Bone Production/Kobal Collection/Art Resource
Josh Hutcherson in The Kids Are All Right: Mandalay/Kobal Collection, Suzanne Tenner/Art Resource
Published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920. SCHOLASTIC, SCHOLASTIC PRESS, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011945838
ISBN 978-0-545-45239-7
First edition, March 2012
This book was designed by Rick DeMonico and Heather Barber
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
