The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (2012) began a series of movies that launched Jennifer Lawrence to stardom and pushed the boundaries of science fiction, adaptation, and young adult films. Its sequels, Catching Fire (2013) and Mockingjay, Part 1 (2014) both set box office records, and the upcoming Mockingjay, Part 2 (2015) is one of the most hotly anticipated movies of the year – probably only second to the new Star Wars film in hype. These four films, based on the three best-selling books by Suzanne Collins, have created a powerhouse franchise – even before the fourth instalment’s release, The Hunger Games is the 20th highest grossing film franchise of all time.

However, even the most die hard fans of The Hunger Games might be surprised at the many strange and surprising stories that go on behind-the-scenes, both in the world of Panem where the movies take place and from the set of the films. While you wait for Mockingjay, Part 2, take a look at 12 Things You Didn’t Know About The Hunger Games:

SUZANNE COLLINS HAD MANY INSPIRATIONS
Suzanne Collins, who wrote The Hunger Games trilogy, pulled from a variety of influences when she created the story and the characters. Famously, Collins has been quoted as saying that switching channels on her television between reality television and news reports on the war in Iraq helped her come up with the idea for the story. Collins, however, also pulled from Greek mythology – citing Theseus and the Minotaur – and from her father’s experiences growing up during the Great Depression and fighting in Vietnam.

Rome and its gladiators were clearly another strong influence. The world of The Hunger Games is called Panem, the Latin word for “bread”. This is famously associated with the phrase “panem et circenses”, or “bread and circuses,” which is a phrase used to describe the appeasement of the common people. If there is food (bread) and there is entertainment (circuses), then the government can control the people however they like. Similarly, President Snow of Panem uses the Hunger Games as a way to both frighten and entertain his citizens.