gary ross – We Are Movie Geeks

OCEAN’S 8 First Look Photo – Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina And Rihanna

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ give audiences this first look at OCEAN’s 8 from one of New York City’s most iconic locales: the subway.

The tide will turn as (L-r) Debbie Ocean (SANDRA BULLOCK) attempts to pull off the heist of the century at New York City’s star-studded annual Met Gala.

Her first stop is to assemble the perfect crew: Lou (CATE BLANCHETT); Nine Ball (RIHANNA); Amita (MINDY KALING); Constance (AWKWAFINA); Rose (HELENA BONHAM CARTER); Daphne Kluger (ANNE HATHAWAY); and Tammy (SARAH PAULSON).

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Gary Ross is directing.

Ross directs from a screenplay he wrote with Olivia Milch (upcoming “Dude”), with Steven Soderbergh and Jon Kilik producing, Michael Tadross, Susan Ekins, Sandra Bullock, Diana Alvarez and Bruce Berman executive producing, and Milch co-producing. Filming is taking place in and around New York City.

Collaborating with Ross behind the scenes are director of photography Eigil Bryld (“In Bruges,” “Not Fade Away”), production designer Alex DiGerlando (“Beasts of the Southern Wild,” HBO’s “True Detective”), editor Juliette Welfling (“Free State of Jones,” “The Hunger Games”), costume designer Sarah Edwards (“Tower Heist,” Showtime’s “Billions”), and composer Nicholas Britell (“The Big Short,” “Free State of Jones”).

OCEAN’S 8 is set for release in Summer 2018 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

FREE STATE OF JONES – Review

The historical drama FREE STATE OF JONES is based on a little-known, improbable true event that took place in the American South during the Civil War, when the residents of Jones County, Mississippi, both white and black, seceded from the Confederacy under the leadership of an ex-Confederate soldier and part-time preacher named Newton Knight.

Matthew McConaughey plays Newt Knight, who led an army of fellow white deserters and runaway black slaves who held off Confederate military by hiding out in Jones county’s inaccessible swamp. The film from director Gary Ross (“Seabiscuit”) follows up that dramatic story with another one, a depiction of events in the South following the Civil War, when Knight and his fellow anti-Rebel rebels tried to stand up to the Ku Klux Klan and rising segregation, a period rarely shown in films, and then mostly from the other side in “Gone With The Wind” and the appalling “Birth of a Nation.” The film further continues its theme, by adding the story of one of Knight’s descendants, on trial in the 1930s for violating the South’s race laws by marrying a white woman although he may be partly black.

It is a lot of historical ground to cover, and that is part of the problem with this well-researched, well-meaning drama. All these topics are worthy subjects for a historical film, rich in dramatic potential. While FREE STATE OF JONES does have some strong moments and doubtless will win some fans for the subject matter and its ambitious aims along, the film overall is uneven at best, jumping from Knight’s story in the Civil War and during Reconstruction to another related story in the 20th century, often in disjointed fashion. While the vast amount of history covered might make the film a suitable addition to a classroom unit of the time period, it requires a certain knowledge of the war and post war period. Major battles, such as Vicksburg, and dates, like the end of the war, are given in titles but without noting their significance.

On the plus side, the film is beautifully photographed, starting with the immersive battle scenes that open the film. A little preamble to establish the unique character of Jones County, which was less like the plantation South we think of as the Confederacy and more an isolated, rural place where poor whites and free blacks lived side by side, might have deepened understanding of events to follow, but the film plunges into action without that background. The action is believable, even if our knowledge of the whole situation is limited, and the locations, sets and period costumes are superb, even if accents are sometimes hard to understand. The film’s devotion to historical accuracy is admirable but covering so many historical events sometimes makes everything feel rushed. A more focused script would have helped the flow of the film, although there are still powerful dramatic scenes and moments throughout. It is after all a powerful moment in time.

The biggest obstacle is when the film tries to combing this already epic tale with the story of one of Knight’s descendants. Making the point about the persistence of racial segregation in the South long after the Civil War and placing someone in a category of second-class citizenship based on having one great-grandparent of a certain race, is, again, a worthy topic for a film. But it is a lot of ground to cover in two hours.

The film also often serves more as a star vehicle for Matthew McConaughey, like an old fashioned Hollywood movie. McConaughey is convincingly sincere as the sometime preacher, and suitably rugged looking, although it is a little curious his character seems to age to little. Some viewers will be pleased with that while others may wonder why more of the heroics are not given to other characters, particularly black ones. With the long period of time covered, and jumping back and forth in time to the descendant’s story, there is little room for character development. The other actors, particularly Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Rachel and Mahershala Ali as Moses, do a nice job but there is not enough room in this crowded script for them to fully shine.

FREE STATE OF JONES is an ambitious film, one with a serious respect for history, but perhaps a little too much history to cover in a two-hour film. Still, despite the film’s shortcoming as a piece of cinema, some audience members are likely to embrace it, for its sheer nerve in tackle the subjects. One may still hope FREE STATE OF JONES will spark viewers to delve into the true story behind the dramatic film.

FREE STATE OF JONES opens in theaters on Friday, June 24.

RATING: 3 1/2 out of 5 STARS

First Poster And Trailer For FREE STATE OF JONES Are Here – Stars Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Matthew McConaughey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw star in the first trailer for Gary Ross’s FREE STATE OF JONES. Check it out as well as the first poster and photos from STX Entertainment’s upcoming epic action-drama.

Written and directed by four-time Oscar nominee Gary Ross (The Hunger Games, Seabiscuit, Pleasantville), and starring Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey, FREE STATE OF JONES is set during the Civil War, and tells the story of defiant Southern farmer, Newt Knight, and his extraordinary armed rebellion against the Confederacy.

Banding together with other small farmers and local slaves, Knight launched an uprising that led Jones County, Mississippi to secede from the Confederacy, creating a Free State of Jones.

Knight continued his struggle into Reconstruction, distinguishing him as a compelling, if controversial, figure of defiance long beyond the War.

Written by Gary Ross, Mahershala Ali and Keri Russell also star.

FREE STATE OF JONES opens in theaters on May 13, 2016.

Visit the official site: stxmovies.com/freestateofjones
www.facebook.com/freestate
twitter.com/freestate

Matthew McConaughey and Christopher Berry star in FREE STATE OF JONES — Matthew McConaughey and Christopher Berry

Mahershala Ali andMatthew McConaughey star in FREE STATE OF JONES — Mahershala Ali andMatthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey (center) and Mahershala Ali (center left) star in THE FREE STATE OF JONES — Matthew McConaughey (center) and Mahershala Ali (center left)

Newt (Matthew McConaughey) carries Daniel (Jacob Lofland) across an active battlefield

THE HUNGER GAMES Rakes In $155 Million; Gary Ross Pic Has Third Best All-Time Opening

The 74th Annual Hunger Games arrived to the tune of $155 million at this weekend’s box office breaking all kinds of records. THE HUNGER GAMES had the third best opening of all time right behind HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2 ($169,189,427 M) and THE DARK KNIGHT ($158,411,483). The film is currently sitting at an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes (Read Jim Batts’ review HERE).

Directed by Gary Ross (SEABISCUIT), THE HUNGER GAMES had the highest opening for a March 3-day weekend as well as the highest non-sequel opening. The B.O. numbers place it over SPIDER-MAN 3 ($151.1 million) and the TWILIGHT films – THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON ($142.8 M) and THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 ($138.1 M). Lionsgate launched THE HUNGER GAMES in 4,137 theaters in North America and 268 IMAX screens.

Based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, the actioner stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz with Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland. In August 2011 Lionsgate announced it will release CATCHING FIRE, the film adaptation of the second book in Suzanne Collins’ runaway bestselling HUNGER GAMES trilogy, on November 22, 2013.

Welcome to the intense reality of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who must try to survive – by sheer wits and will alone – a future world that is at once high-tech and apocalyptic, glitzy and primal, unsettlingly dangerous and a telltale mirror to our own. Unfolding entirely through Katniss’ intimately personal POV, THE HUNGER GAMES reveals how this miner’s daughter from a dark future transforms from a mere pawn in a lethal televised contest to a soulful, sacrificing heroine who comes to realize that she has even more to protect and fight for than her own family.

For those of you in the St. Louis area today, the B&B Wildwood 10 is offering students a free small popcorn when they show their student id.

To experience The Hunger Games online, please visit:
Official Website: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/
Official YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/thehungergamesmovie
Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie
Official Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/thehungergames
Capitol Couture: www.capitolcouture.pn

THE HUNGER GAMES – The Review

Well, those sneaky Hollywood studios are trying to mess with the calendar once again! Or to be more specific, the start of the seasons. For several decades they’ve wheeled out their big budget, youth-oriented tentpole/ franchise blockbusters at the start of Summer ( although a few of these sneak between Thanksgiving and Christmas ). Summer movie time had started with Memorial day weekend , but slowly it has crept up to the first weekend in May ( hey the school year’s not over yet! ). Well now it looks like Lionsgate may be trying to stretch things into Spring ( or Spring break ). And what better way to test these still a bit chilly waters than adapting a popular Young Adult ( YA ) novel. After all, Harry Potter waved his wand for the last time this past year and another YA series ( which I’ll discuss later ) is sending out its last flick in a few months. And so the first of author Suzanne Collins’s trilogy, THE HUNGER GAMES directed by Gary Ross, opens everywhere ( nearly ) today. Is this the start of another money-making movie machine that will fill up multiplexes in the future?

Speaking of the future, the film is set in a near distant one. The story focuses in on Panem, a totalitarian society built up on the ashes of a postapocalyptic North America. It’s composed of 12 very poor districts governed over by the glitzy, opulent Capitol. After a failed rebellion many years ago, the Capitol established the Hunger Games as punishment to these districts ( and entertainment for the swells ). At a ceremony called the Reaping a teenage boy and girl ( 12 to 18 years old )are chosen from each of the districts to compete in a televised battle to the death. The sole winner. besides surviving, is awarded ” untold riches “. In the impoverished District 12 lives Katniss Everdeen ( Jennifer Lawrence ) who runs the house she shares with her shy, skittish kid sister Prim and her emotionally shattered mother ( father was killed in the mines-the district’s main industry ). Times are tough, so Katniss climbs through the surrounding fences into the forest preserve where she hunts with her trusty bow and arrow. She’s often joined by her childhood pal Gale ( Liam Hemsworth ), who longs to escape the tyrannical government. Back home Prim is filled with worry that she’ll be picked for the upcoming games ( having just reached the proper age ). Sure enough when Capitol rep Effie Trinket arrives for the Reaping, she draws Prim’s name. As the Safety Patrol drags the hysterical girl away, Katniss steps forward and volunteers to take her sister’s place. She’s accepted and Prim is spared. A boy’s name is also drawn. It is Peeta Mellark ( Josh Hutcherson ) the baker’s son and an acquaintance of Katniss. The two are soon whisked away via a high-speed train to the Capitol and made ready to compete in the 74th Hunger Games. ” Games ” with the highest stakes imaginable-win or die!

One of the film’s great strengths is its futuristic look which is striking after the bleak opening scenes in District 12. The place looks like a Depression ravaged podunk ( shades of COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER! ) with its grey looking clothes and homes. But with the arrival of Effie we get a taste of the ultra-modern Capitol styles. The well-to-do folks wear bright neon 40’s and 50’s retro creations. The men and women favor extensive, detailed face makeup and their punk hairstyles are dyed in fluorescent colors ( Effie herself almost looks like a kabuki actor ). The gleaming Capitol domes and skyscrapers would not look out-of-place in LOGAN’S RUN. This is a future that looks great in the main city, but is really an oppressive 1984/ BLADE RUNNER nightmare. Many are comparing GAMES to the 2000 Asian thriller BATTLE ROYALE ( but no firepower here-it’s blades, spears, and arrows! ), while I was reminded of the campy Arnold classic THE RUNNING MAN and even back to WESTWORLD ( in the almost all white GAMES TV control center ). Hopefully the art direction team will get some recognition in the next award season.

Another of the film’s strengths is its large diverse cast. For the adult roles, it’s great to see Wes Bentley back in a high-profile blockbuster, although he’s saddled with some unsubtle, ‘El Diablo’ facial hair as Crane the Gamesmaster. I wanted to know a bit more about the stylist, Cinna played with great warmth ( and a lot of cool ) by Lenny Kravitz. Stanley Tucci rocked some great blue hair and a huge set of choppers as the Games commentator/ interviewer, but seems to stuck in smarmy, condescending mode. We’re treated to way too few scenes of screen vet Donald Sutherland as the conniving, scheming President Snow. He projects an image of a kindly grandpa’ on TV while he plots and finangle ( almost like Nixon or Emporer Palpatine ) in his lush garden with Crane. Elizabeth Banks get to flit about as Effie while modeling many unflattering outfits and makeups ( the lovely Banks usually pops off the screen ). The most interesting of the screen pros may be Woody Harrelson as mentor, coach, and former Games champ Haymitch Abernathy. With his mop of stringy long hair ( like a blond Shemp Howard ), he spends most of his screen time boozing it up, calling Katniss ” sweetheart “, and acting as her fairy godfather. Could it be the horror he witnessed ( and perhaps committed ) during his competition that has him self-medicating?

Most of the young actors portray the other district’s Game players. Many are grimacing, growling villains like a well armed version of MEAN GIRLS’s Plastiques and THE KARATE KID’s blond rivals ( including a second generation star- Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid’s son Jack as “Marvel” ). Amanda Stenberg is affecting as the sweet, pint-sized Rue. But, let’s face it, this is the story of Katniss and Lawrence commands the screen as a terrific teen heroine ( as opposed to that other YA series heroine, Twilight’s Bella Swain, she’s not a damsel in distress to be rescued. Told you I’d get to that series! ), right up there with Buffy Summers and THE MATRIX’s Trinity. I had enjoyed her work in X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, THE BEAVER, and LIKE CRAZY, but this is a real showcase. Katniss is almost a futuristic version of her WINTER’S BONE character. And here lies one of the film’s problems, her male co-stars ( and love interests ) are just not as engaging as her. There’s no heat between her and Hutcherson ( so good in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, but not very believable here ). Perhaps she and Hemsworth could connect, but their only scene together is in the film’s first few minutes. During the games we get shots of him staring at TV screens. Perhaps the author was going for a Bella-Edward-Jacob triangle, but it’s not coming together in this installment.

Which may be another of the film’s problems. Too many things are unanswered, although there’s no big THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK cliffhanger here. A film should work without having read the source material, and this seemed lacking. Ross works well with these actors and tries to keep the wilder aspects of the story grounded. He is not exploitive with the violence, although some scenes were needlessly chaotic, perhaps in order to not got slapped with the dreaded ‘R” rating. Most of the science fiction aspects are handled with subtlety ( killer wasps work, the crude CGI pit bull/ panther hybrids need to stay in the darkness and the shadows ). Their game of deadly hide and seek lasted too long ( forest fatigue ). Fans of the books will likely be pleased with the reverent treatment. The rest of us should be happy to enjoy the great star making performance of Lawrence. Perhaps the next film will serve her considerable skills better.

Overall Rating; 3.5 Out of 5 Stars

THE HUNGER GAMES Trailer Debuts

Earlier this morning ABC’s Good Morning America showed the world premiere of the highly anticipated trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES. Actor Josh Hutcherson (THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT), who plays the pivotal character of Peeta Mellark in the film, was on hand for the debut. In addition to it airing nationwide, the trailer was also shown in its entirety on Good Morning America’s jumbotron in New York City’s Times Square.

In an attempt to preserve the anticipation and mystery that fans are relishing, the trailer only shows footage from the first half of the film, chronicling events leading up to but not including the Games themselves. After giving fans their first look at all of the book’s beloved characters brought to life, giving viewers who haven’t read the book vital information about the world of Panem, the trailer ends with an electrifying cliffhanger right as Katniss enters the arena.

Here’s the trailer courtesy of Apple iTunes:

The film pairs Oscar® nominee Jennifer Lawrence (WINTER’S BONE, X-MEN FIRST CLASS) with Josh Hutcherson (THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT) and Liam Hemsworth (THE LAST SONG) in the key young adult roles. Rounding out the cast is a who’s who of acclaimed adult actors: Oscar® nominee Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Oscar® nominee Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Wes Bentley and Toby Jones.

Check out the 8 character poster HERE

About THE HUNGER GAMES

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part 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.

THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, the first in a trilogy published by Scholastic that has over 12 million copies in print in the United States alone, has developed a massive global following.

Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES on March 23, 2012.

Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie

Official Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/#!/lionsgatemovies

Official Trailer Twitter #Tag: #TheHungerGamesTrailer

Official Website: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

8 HUNGER GAMES Character Posters Revealed

The wait is finally over! Check out below the eight new official character posters from THE HUNGER GAMES, the most anticipated adaptation of 2012.

The poster collection includes some of your favorite citizens of Panem: Rue (Amandla Stenberg), Cato (Alexander Ludwig), Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), Effie (Elizabeth Banks), Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and Gale (Liam Hemsworth).

Based on the best-selling novel by Suzanne Collins, THE HUNGER GAMES opens in theaters everywhere March 23rd, 2012.

Don’t forget to register at http://www.thecapitol.pn/ to be assigned a district and receive the latest announcements from The Capitol in anticipation of the 74th Hunger Games. May the odds be in your favor.

SYNOPSIS

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, with a screenplay by Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, the first in a trilogy published by Scholastic that has over 12 million copies in print in the United States alone, has developed a massive global following. It has spent more than 157 consecutive weeks/more than three consecutive years to date on The New York Times bestseller list since its publication in September 2008, and has also appeared consistently on USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists.

Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie

Official Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/#!/lionsgatemovies

Official Website: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

Lionsgate’s THE HUNGER GAMES Is A Wrap

Close Of Principal Photography Confirmed

SANTA MONICA, CA (September 15, 2011) – LIONSGATE today announced the close of principal photography on the highly anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ runaway bestselling novel The Hunger Games. Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES on March 23, 2012. The film is the first in a series that Lionsgate is making based on the book trilogy that has become a worldwide phenomenon.

Filmed entirely in North Carolina, the locations spanned from a dense forest in which the arena that hosts the games themselves was created to a town that stood in for Katniss’ home, District 12, to a sound stage that was the platform for the fantastical sights and sounds of The Capitol, the futuristic capital city of the nation of Panem. Principal photography on the 84 day production began on May 23^rd.

“It has been an absolute thrill watching THE HUNGER GAMES, a project that has truly become part of Lionsgate’s DNA since our acquisition of the book in 2009, come to life. What I observed on set was impressive on every level, and reinforced my confidence that we have assembled precisely the right team to bring Suzanne Collins’ brilliant novel to the big screen,” said Joe Drake, Lionsgate’s co-COO and Motion Picture Group President.

Although the intensely anticipated sets were closed to press and visitors, Lionsgate and the filmmakers were able to reach out and touch the incredibly eager fans several times during the production process.

Lionsgate debuted the central cast trio through two Entertainment Weekly covers, featuring Jennifer Lawrence in character as Katniss and Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth in character as Peeta and Gale. It marked the first time that a studio has revealed a principal cast of film characters on sequential national magazine covers.

Winners of “The Ultimate Hunger Games Fan Sweeps,” a global contest where fans entered to win the opportunity to be flown to the set of THE HUNGER GAMES, was the one exception to the film’s closed set policy. In mid August, five winners from around the world and their guests got a glimpse of the sets, observed the filming of a scene and met the cast.

A heavily promoted first look at footage from the film debuted on MTV’s 2011 Video Music Awards on August 28^th. The show attracted MTV’s biggest audience in the network’s history with a record-breaking 12.4 million total viewers.

About THE HUNGER GAMES

Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES on March 23, 2012.

HUNGER GAMES Sequel – World To CATCH FIRE November 22, 2013

CATCHING FIRE – FILM BASED ON SECOND BOOK IN
THE HUNGER GAMES SERIES TO UNSPOOL WORLDWIDE

Santa Monica, CA, August 08, 2011 – LIONSGATE announced today that it will release CATCHING FIRE, the film adaptation of the second book in Suzanne Collins’ runaway bestselling HUNGER GAMES trilogy, on November 22, 2013. The announcement was made by Joe Drake, co-COO of Lionsgate and President of its Motion Picture Group. No further details about CATCHING FIRE have been confirmed at this stage.

Said Drake of the date, “The magical thing about the Hunger Games trilogy is that the books have such a vastly broad appeal. The stories truly offer something for everyone, and the period around the Thanksgiving weekend is such an opportunity for families and friends to make an event of going to the movies.”

THE HUNGER GAMES is currently in production and will be released on March 23, 2012. THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Alli Shearmur, President of Development and Production at Lionsgate, is overseeing the production on behalf of the studio. There are more than 12 million copies of all three books in The Hunger Games trilogy in print in the U.S.

Lionsgate Partners With Universal Republic Records To Release New Music Collection For THE HUNGER GAMES

Santa Monica, CA, August 03, 2011 – LIONSGATE together with Universal Republic today announced a sweeping partnership on the soundtrack to the highly anticipated Lionsgate motion picture event THE HUNGER GAMES, which will be in theaters everywhere on March 23, 2012.

Unlike typical soundtracks, this collection will not only include music being recorded by major artists for inclusion in the film, but a series of companion recordings that will feature new songs directly influenced by the themes and subject matter of THE HUNGER GAMES, all recorded by some of music’s most successful and acclaimed artists.

Said Lionsgate’s Head of Music Tracy McKnight, “We are absolutely thrilled to be joining forces with Universal Republic. There is a tremendous opportunity for us to draw from so many different musical genres with this soundtrack. The setting for THE HUNGER GAMES ranges from what could be perceived as the rural Southern part of the U.S. all the way to the most advanced metropolis imaginable, and it all takes place in a vividly imagined future. The list of artists that could participate, and the opportunities for them to write and record, are really unlimited.”

The film’s Executive Music Producer and co-composer T Bone Burnett will produce many of these recordings, and will oversee all production. It was previously announced that Burnett will be collaborating with composer Danny Elfman on the film’s score, which will also be released by Universal Republic.

“THE HUNGER GAMES is a highly imaginative and thrilling narrative that combines edginess, raw emotion and themes of freedom,” stated Monte Lipman, President and CEO of Universal Republic Records. “And these are the same qualities we will be considering as we start building this innovative new music collection. We are not only looking for great music, but a diverse array of music that speaks to the universal themes of the movie.”

The deal was negotiated for Lionsgate by Lenny Wohl, EVP Music Business Affairs, and by Universal Republic’s head of Business Affairs Michael Seltzer.

About The Hunger Games:

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, which has over 3 million copies in print in the United States alone, is the first in a trilogy of novels which have developed a global following.

The film will be released on March 23, 2012.

About Universal Republic Records

A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Universal Republic is home to a diverse array of superstar artists such as Enrique Iglesias, Florence + the Machine, 3 Doors Down, Colbie Caillat, Eddie Vedder, Godsmack, Hinder, Owl City, The Rolling Stones, The Voice (Javier Colon, Dia Frampton), among many others.

It is also comprised of innovative imprints and digital business ventures such as Republic Nashville Records (The Band Perry), and is in partnerships with Aware Records (Mat Kearney), Big Machine(Taylor Swift), Brushfire(Jack Johnson, G Love), Cash Money(Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj) Lava Records(Jesse J, Black Veil Brides), SRC(Akon, Melanie Fiona, Shontelle), Tuff Gong(Damien Marley, Stephen Marley) among others.

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution and new channel platforms. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has 15 shows on more than 10 networks spanning its prime time production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as “Mad Men”, “Weeds” and “Nurse Jackie” along with the comedy “Blue Mountain State, ” the upcoming drama “Boss” and the syndication successes “Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne”, its spinoff “Meet The Browns”, the upcoming “For Better or Worse,” “The Wendy Williams Show” and “Are We There Yet?”.

Its feature film business has generated more than half a billion dollars at the North American box office in the past year, fueled by such successes as THE LINCOLN LAWYER, TYLER PERRY’S MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY, THE EXPENDABLES, which was #1 at the North American box office for two weeks, THE LAST EXORCISM, TYLER PERRY’S WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?, KICK ASS and the critically-acclaimed PRECIOUS, which won two Academy Awards®. The Company’s home entertainment business has grown to more than 8% market share and is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 13,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world

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RATING: 3 1/2 out of 5 STARS

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Close Of Principal Photography Confirmed

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