It was subtly mentioned and then outright confirmed today that the “Hunger Games” Trilogy would be headed to the big screen as four separate movies. What Lionsgate failed to mention (or more specifically avoided answering) was where the fourth film would be coming from.
Obviously the initial tome is incapable of being split up — so let’s focus on “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay” since there is enough meat in between those pages to fuel three additional movies. Or at least there can be since I’m guessing we’ll be seeing a lot of new movie material from Suzanne Collins, who wrote both the books and the screenplay.
The third book focuses on The Districts uniting to take down The Capital & President Snow — this is accomplished by Katniss becoming The Mockingjay, a symbol of rebellion and power. Once the action in this installment kicks up, there are few places to actually scissor the tome in two.
What, are ya just going to stop the action with Katniss buried a hundred fur coats? I don’t think so. To me, it’s much more likely that “Catching Fire” is where the split will happen since there is a very logical place to divide the fun: The Quarter Quell.
Spoiler Alert
The second book begins with Katniss & Peeta pretending to be in love and touring the country like William & Kate. It’s during this tour that the first seeds of rebellion are born, and throughout their travels to the various Districts, we see the anger growing, and Katniss beginning to take a stand.
Then, about halfway through, we’re presented with the biggest shock in the entire series: Katniss, Peeta and all the other Victors are forced to return to The Hunger Games arena as part of President Snow’s thinly veiled attempt to kill Katniss!
This is exactly where I could see the split happening — between the District visits and the Quarter Quell commencing. Furthermore, I think the perfect place to end Act II would be right after Katniss is forced to watch Cinna get brutally murdered.
“Close up on Katniss’ tear-filled eyes as she ascends into this year’s Hunger Games arena. And as the light finds her face, The Girl On Fire opens her eyes and they fill with shock at the sight before her. The camera slowly begins to pull back, revealing all 24 tributes precariously perched on pedestals in the middle of an ocean. The camera continues to pull back, revealing the vast forest and deadly terrain that awaits them all in …. Catching Fire: Part Two!”
Smash to black. Roll Credits.
Where would you split “The Hunger Games” into four movies?