As has long been rumored, Lionsgate will split the final book of Suzanne Collins’ smash hit book trilogy into two films (how hip of them). The Hunger Games: Mockingjay will hit screens for double the fun fun fun child-killing, with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 arriving on November 21, 2014 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II winging into theaters on November 20, 2015.
With the second film in the franchise, Catching Fire, taking over a similar November spot for its release (November 22, 2013), this positions the entire franchise (save the first film, which opened in March) in what had been The Twilight Saga’s traditional release date space.
The possibility of Mockingjay going the halfsies route has been hinted at since last June, when the “four film” plan slipped out during a Lionsgate conference call (also, when both Harry Potter and The Twilight Saga did it). It’s a fine enough route for the series, but it also begs the question ‐ just when the heck are they going to split Collins’ book? “Mockingjay” takes a while to rev up, and then it’s nearly non-stop action, drama, and emotion; it will be interesting to see how the filmmakers (whoever they may be for these outings) mix up a draggy first-half and a buzzing second-half.
Any ideas on when you’d split Mockingjay? [Deadline Canoga Park]
