'The Hunger Games' That Could Have Been

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• Lynn | September 8, 2012 7:48 AMReply

  I dunno, I think there's such a thing as overkill. The psychology of sticking children in a fight to the death was grim enough, I didn't need the whole set to be awash in never-ending grime and shadows to feel the horror. That whole Mad Max Thunderdome feel wouldn't have been true to the book either. The Capitol was clearly supposed to be a sleek, well-groomed irony and so it was; plus any arena they designed would have been idealized wilderness...though I agree the arena didn't get quite bloody enough. The districts seemed grim enough though, even if they were more Stalinist era concrete grunge than post-apocalyptic grit.

• Geneva Girl | September 7, 2012 8:26 AMReply

  Yes, the books were much darker, but the film was "lighted" to appeal to a broader audience and therefore make more money. I wouldn't have snuck my then-nine year old into HG were the film as envisioned in the video above. (In Switzerland, you had to be 12 to see HG.) Kevin Tanchereon's vision seems to appeal more to the die-hard Battle Royale fans. While I loved BR, it isn't appropriate viewing for tweens.

• bkdramaqueen | September 6, 2012 11:50 PMReply

  i agree with ladybug, the hunger games really missed the mark with comparison to the book. it played down the violence and with exception of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, all of the 'teenagers' seemed a little to old. i'd rather watch KT's rendition if this is what was mustered up with some copy and pastes of other films, I can only imagine what Mockingjay would look like.

• Hera | September 6, 2012 11:16 PMReply

  And that's ideas not ifea. Basically, KT would like a shot at directing Mockingjay...that is the impression I get from this sizzle reel. I think that is one of the reasons why he made a point of saying that the cast he had in this version was just a (and thank God the casting director went with Jennifer Lawrence) you don't want to insult the atual cast of the film you'd like to direct.

• Hera | September 6, 2012 11:03 PMReply

  Cut and paste.....and what else?. Funny how this is making the rounds now....a director for Mockingjay is needed (in fact, the hunt is on) KT knows it obviously and wants the gig. So, he releases his sizzle reel (hoping it will go viral)to get an idea how much fans might like his vision and then use it as a basis for getting a meeting with Lionsgate to pitch his ifea

• Troy | September 6, 2012 7:21 PMReply

  Can someone be too talented. I would watch short films like that even with bored footage.

• JARM | September 6, 2012 7:15 PMReply

  Oh c'mon (LOL!)....I remember watching this home made trailer for The Hunger Games and thinking what the hell???. Oh, and Kaya Scodelario over Jennifer Lawrence?! an Oscar nominee, a wonderful actress who did a marvelous job in the film who is currently on a tear in the film world but, no, you think Kaya Scodelario?. I do think that Amandla Stenberg was also a wonderful choice and is a very good actress but that's about all I can agree with you on, I'm afraid. The Hunger Games may not have been the film you wanted to see (based on what you imagined reading the books) but you honestly believe after watching this trailer that this filmaker would have done a better job?...really?...did he read the books???. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around his casting choice of Kaya Scodelario as Katniss Everdeen. Thank goodness Jennifer Lawrence was cast as Katniss because she knocked it out of the ball park. Thank goodness this guy had absolutely nothing to do with the making of this film.

• Darkan | September 6, 2012 10:11 PM

  @ Ladybug , totally agreed!

• Ladybug | September 6, 2012 9:36 PM

  The Hunger Games was basically some Disney movie . . . the actual books were dark and violent. And she didn't say those would be her casting choices . . . but I think this pitch reel is much more interesting than the movie we got.