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Post by incognito on Mar 19, 2011 14:16:04 GMT -4
Because they probably like other aspects of the story, like the dystopian setting or the whole 'battle to the death' premise with kids, just...not as young as the ones in the book. Although now I wonder if the movie studio could have simply done that sort of movie without optioning The Hunger Games, without getting sued. (It'd be pretty silly for Suzanne Collins to sue, since The Hunger Games itself resembles Battle Royale. But who knows.)
But I guess they wanted the built-in fanbase since The Hunger Games is so popular. Still, I had to LOL when the director said that Katniss was as recognizable as Harry Potter. Bitch, please.
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Post by kostgard on Mar 19, 2011 14:18:38 GMT -4
I've just started reading The Hunger Games (like only a couple chapters in), and honestly, Katniss sounds almost exactly like Ree, the character Jennifer played in "Winter's Bone."
Dad gone? Check. Mother a useless basket case who can't support the family? Check. Younger sibling(s) the heroine makes sacrifices to protect? Check. Heroine lives in a poor, rural area, and has learned to survive by hunting, gathering, bargaining, selling stuff, etc.? Check. Family constantly teetering on the edge of starvation? Check.
Jennifer kicked ass as Ree. Ree was a no-nonsense survivor with balls of steel. I know I'm just starting the books so I'm not that familiar with the character yet, but it seems to me that while Jennifer may not look the part, she can bring the strength and steeliness required.
With that in mind, I can see why they cast her. Did they cast her to white-wash Katniss? Maybe. It is Hollywood, after all. But I can definitely see some producers/casting agents watching "Winter's Bone" and saying "Oh, my god! She'd be perfect!"
Side note: I haven't seen True Grit yet, so I can't really make a call on Hailee.
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Post by GoldenFleece on Mar 19, 2011 14:20:55 GMT -4
OMG, what?! I hadn't heard that. Hunger Games probably isn't even as recognizable/popular as Twilight (no HP itself) was when it was first made into a movie, and its premise is even less movie-friendly. The more I hear about this Hunger Games movie, the more I think it will flop.
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kali
Sloane Ranger
Posts: 2,446
Jul 1, 2008 23:07:20 GMT -4
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Post by kali on Mar 19, 2011 14:43:05 GMT -4
I don't think it will flop. I do think it's going to suck. The director has a history of sappy, treacly work, and that is just all wrong for this material. And the lead actress looks to be in her mid-20's which means the guys will be in their 20's, which basically makes this like any other war film in a dystopian setting.
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Post by Ladybug on Mar 19, 2011 14:52:46 GMT -4
I've just started reading The Hunger Games (like only a couple chapters in), and honestly, Katniss sounds almost exactly like Ree, the character Jennifer played in "Winter's Bone." Dad gone? Check. Mother a useless basket case who can't support the family? Check. Younger sibling(s) the heroine makes sacrifices to protect? Check. Heroine lives in a poor, rural area, and has learned to survive by hunting, gathering, bargaining, selling stuff, etc.? Check. Family constantly teetering on the edge of starvation? Check. Jennifer kicked ass as a Ree. Ree was a no-nonsense survivor with balls of steel. I know I'm just starting the books so I'm not that familiar with the character yet, but it seems to me that while Jennifer may not look the part, she can bring the strength and steeliness required. With that in mind, I can see why they cast her. Did they cast her to white-wash Katniss? Maybe. It is Hollywood, after all. But I can definitely see some producers/casting agents watching "Winter's Bone" and saying "Oh, my god! She'd be perfect!" Side note: I haven't seen True Grit yet, so I can't really make a call on Hailee. Yep to all of this. I'm just starting the book also and the similarities are uncanny. I think JL will probably do well with the role, but the casting does seem a bit lazy. Lainey brought up a good point that JL is 20 and not subject to child labor laws anymore. All the other serious contenders are under 18 and would only be able to work a limited amount of hours per day. Regarding the racial aspects, because the book describes her mother and sister as blonde and fair, I assumed that Katniss was white but with the coloring of her father. Also, the family lives in "what was once known as Appalachia." That has a pretty strong association with white people. I think it would've been interesting for Collins to make all the races/skin colors vague or not even mention them. If the story is taking place a couple hundred (?) years in the future then it stands to reason that racial lines would be blurred.
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Post by incognito on Mar 19, 2011 15:02:13 GMT -4
Also, the family lives in "what was once known as Appalachia." That has a pretty strong association with white people. Not necessarily. Considering what a big deal Collins makes of her skin color and the social strata in the series, taking the location into consideration, I thought that it made sense for Katniss to be reflective of the Melungeon.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 23, 2024 15:49:38 GMT -4
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2011 15:34:15 GMT -4
I don't think it will flop. I do think it's going to suck. The director has a history of sappy, treacly work, and that is just all wrong for this material. And the lead actress looks to be in her mid-20's which means the guys will be in their 20's, which basically makes this like any other war film in a dystopian setting. I totally agree with this. This is going to be softened and pretty much like any other post apocalyptic film. I also think they will play up the romantic triangle a lot more than in the books to draw the Twilight crowd. Hey maybe they will cast Willow Smith as Rue. I think another reason they went with Jennifer is because she is older and so they could cast actors in their 20s for Peeta and Gale. If they had gone with an acutal 15/16 year old actress to play Katniss then they would have had to look younger for Peeta at least and there doesn't seem to be as many young actors in the 15/16 year range. I do think Jennifer was excellent in Winter's Bone, I actually was hoping she would pull off a miracle and win the Oscar. But I am curious to see how she does in The Beaver (not that I will actually see that) and X-Men. Does she have any range beyond the tough but vulnerable looking heroine?
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ElleCee
Blueblood
Posts: 1,471
Oct 19, 2005 21:09:38 GMT -4
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Post by ElleCee on Mar 20, 2011 19:11:14 GMT -4
She has a very unremarkable face. I feel like I've seen her picture a number of times but still wouldn't be able to pick her out of a lineup. This. I don't know. I don't get the hype, I haven't seen Winter's Bone but she looks like a bland blond girl to me....one who apparently used to be "xxxxy"
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Post by Witchie on Mar 20, 2011 19:29:31 GMT -4
Why in the world would she call herself "xxxxy"? It's called being a tomboy. Sheesh...
I really don't have an opinion of her one way or the other, but during Oscar season, I got serious trashy vibes from her. Didn't like most of the dresses she wore. Too provocative for the occasions she was attending.
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Post by lpatrice on Mar 20, 2011 21:07:29 GMT -4
She is completely unmemorable and unremarkable. I thought she was great in Winter's Bone, but I think she needs a longer resume before I say she is extraordinarily talented. It could be that this particular role was just perfect for her. I am not into YA fiction, so I don't have much to add to her casting in the upcoming movie adaptation of The Hunger Games.
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