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SALT LAKE CITY -- In an effort to whet people's appetite and keep buzz going about the highly anticipated release of "The Hunger Games," Lionsgate has released new photos from the upcoming film.
The movie, which is based off the popular book series, isn't due in theaters until March 2012, but that hasn't kept fans from chomping at the bit for anything "Hunger Games".
The photos, which were released earlier this week, reveal the main protagonist, Katniss, played by Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence, Gale, played by Liam Hemsworth and the character Peeta played by Josh Hutcherson.
Some may think releasing the photos almost a year in advance of the film's premier is a little too early, but the Huffington Post thinks the timing couldn't be better.
"The latest photo release is actually well timed. The most recent two young adult-focused literary sensations, ‘Harry Potter' and ‘The Twilight Saga,' are ready, in many ways, to cede ground for the next big thing; ‘Potter' has already seen its final film hit theaters in record-breaking fashion, while the two halves of the ‘Twilight' finale, ‘Breaking Dawn' Parts 1 and 2 are set for release in November and next summer, respectively."
The pictures weren't the only news surrounding "Hunger Games" released this week. Lionsgate also announced the release date for the second film in the series, "Catching Fire."
The announcement comes as a bit of a surprise and goes against Hollywood tradition according the LA Times blog, "Company Town."
"Industry veterans can't recall studios ever dating the second movie in a series before the first is released. Historically, sequels aren't scheduled until the first movie proves its box-office mettle."
Cinema Blend.com thinks announcing the date this far in advance can actually play to the film's advantage.
"It's an interesting move... By doing this, the studio is allowing the sequel to have a much longer production time, a luxury that the first film doesn't have."
"The Hunger Games" will be the first film adaption of the Suzanne Collins' trilogy. The first two books were both on the New York Times bestseller list.
What do you think of the new pics and is it wise to set a release date so far in the future? Tell us on the comment boards and Facebook.
E-mail: jclyde@ksl.com
