Lorde Talks Surprises on the 'Mockingjay Part 1' Soundtrack

Lorde sat down with Billboard backstage at Lollapalooza to talk about her new gig curating The Hunger Games Mockingjay: Part 1 soundtrack. She couldn't tell us much, but she hinted that we'd be super surprised by a few of her choices. "You’ll be like, what? I haven’t heard form them in ages… but in a great way."

Oh, and she's definitely a fan. Read on.

Billboard: Spearheading an entire soundtrack, especially for a film as hotly anticipated as Mockingjay, is a pretty tall order, especially for someone still early in their career.

Lorde: Yeah, I was just saying that I literally watched the second film (2013’s Catching Fire) in a movie theater in New Zealand like a year ago. And now I get to curate the soundtrack. It’s crazy.

Lorde at Lollapalooza 2014 in Chicago

How did it all come together?

It came to me through my publisher, who is always bringing me really cool, weird opportunities. He was like, do you want to do the end credits song for the film? And I said, “Oh yeah that would be awesome. Um … what are they doing for their soundtrack, just out of interest?” And he was like, "I don’t know I can find it out." I was really keen to curate it. I had this idea that it would be really cool and I think I know what is the right sound for the project. So they were really into it and it just started happening. It’s really been my baby, which is awesome. It’s so rewarding, but it blows my mind that this massive studio has just handed the reigns over to a 17-year-old. I’ve literally been doing it by myself, contacting every artist, sorting everything out.

Can you tell us some other artists that are involved?

I don’t know if I want to tell you anything yet! It’s very new. But there are some people on there that you’re going to be super surprised by. You’ll be like, what? I haven’t heard form them in ages… but in a great way.

OK, we’ll stay in suspense. Was there anything specific about the Hunger Games series that attracted you to the project?

Yeah, I think there’s something about the Hunger Games that makes it a very modern-feeling blockbuster franchise. Often you get a heroine in a movie like that and they’re just not cool characters. They’re kind of sappy or kind of boring. But Jennifer (Lawrence) perfectly embodies Katniss Everdeen and you can’t not be interested in that character. She’s so smart and so tough and so brave, but she’s also like, I’m really confused and I don’t know which guy I want to date but like … hold on dude. There’s more important things to do than think about dating. I’ve got to save the world right now. It’s very fresh and modern which I like, but it’s also super youth based. It’s a good set of films.

 

Lorde also sat down and talked Mockingjay with 101.9 fm The Mix in chicago. Sounds like the soundtrack is complete but very under wraps.

 

Lionsgate and EGPAF Auctioning 'Mockingjay Part 1' Posters For Charity

The signed Mockingjay poster up for auction

Lionsgate and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) are teaming up once again to auction off five signed Comic Con exclusive Mockingjay Part 1 posters for charity. The posters, signed by the "rebel warriors" (Natalie Dormer, Evan Ross, Elden Henson, Mahershala Ali, and Wes Chatham) are available for auction on eBay through 8pm on Tuesday, August 5th and 100% of the proceeds goes to EGPAF. The auction listing also includes a Comic Con exclusive Mockingjay pin.

Click here to check them out on eBay.  

Lorde to Provide First Single and Curate the Soundtrack for 'Mockingjay Part 1'

Lionsgate announced today that multiplatinum GRAMMY Award-winning recording star Lorde will curate the soundtrack album for the upcoming third installment of The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.  In addition to hand-picking the artists for The Mockingjay – Part 1 soundtrack, Lorde will provide the first single for the highly anticipated film and album.  The soundtrack will be available via Republic Records this fall. 

Mockingjay director Francis Lawrence said of the collaboration:

I sat down with Lorde on the set of ‘Mockingjay’ this spring and I was immediately struck by how she so innately understood what we, as both fans and filmmakers, were trying to accomplish with the film. Her immense talent and keen understanding of Mockingjay’s characters and themes not only have enabled her to create a song of her own that completely captures the film’s essence, but her insight and passion for our project make her the perfect creative force to assemble the other songs on our soundtrack.  I can't wait to share what she's done with the fans -- it is truly remarkable.” 

"Curating the soundtrack for such a hotly-anticipated film was a challenge, but I jumped at the chance,” said Lorde.  “The cast and story are an inspiration for all musicians participating and, as someone with cinematic leanings, being privy to a different creative process has been a unique experience. I think the soundtrack is definitely going to surprise people.”

'Mockingjay Part 1' "Our Leader The Mockingjay" Trailer Debut

The LOOOONG awaited The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 "Our Leader The Mockingjay" teaser trailer finally made it's debut online tonight on The Hunger Games official facebook page! We got a preview of it at Comic Con (see our thoughts about the trailer HERE) and many fans went to participating Best Buy locations over the weekend to catch a preview. But we're so excited the EVERYONE can finally see the short but very sweet teaser. 

We get a look at Francis' violent yet gorgeous vision of the districts in rebellion, a peek at Natalie Dormer as Cressida, Robert Knepper as Antonius and Patina Miller as Paylor, plus we finally get a glimpse of a heartbreaking Katniss. Her pivotal line still leaves us with goosebumps, "I am. I will."

'Mockingjay Part 1' Trailer Debuts Tonight!

Fire burns brighter in the darkness. The all-new "Our Leader The Mockingjay" Mockingjay Part 1 Teaser Trailer debuts TONIGHT at 9p PT/12a ET. Watch it on The Hunger Games Facebook page!

The 'Mockingjay Part 1' Cast Signing at Comic Con

The "rebel warriors" (Natalie Dormer, Mahershala Ali, Wes Chatham, Elden Henson and Evan Ross) did an autograph session at the Lionsgate booth after presenting the trailer at Comic Con. Check out some video from the signing thanks to our friends at QuarterQuell.org.

'Mockingjay Part 1' Cast Presents "Our Leader the Mockingjay" Trailer at Comic Con

Natalie Dormer, Mahershala Ali, Wes Chatham, Elden Henson and Evan Ross were on hand today at Comic Con to present the new "Our Leader the Mockingjay" Mockingjay Part 1 trailer to guests at the Captiol Gallery Experience at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego. 

We were lucky enough to attend a press preview of the new trailer with some of the other Hunger Games fan sites, and got to do a meet and greet with cast members Mahershala Ali, Wes Chatham, Elden Henson and Evan Ross. They were SO generous, kind, and sweet with all of us! Thanks so much, guys!

The fansite meet & greet. I'm in the front row in a green jacket + leopard shoes.

Natalie wasn't at the meet and greet (SAD FACE) she was running in from another panel. But she did get there in time to introduce the trailer to a very excited crowd on the Capitol Gallery floor, then all of the cast members took photos with the fans there. Natalie Dormer is a queen. She said something nice to every single fan snapping photos with her today.

 

We watched the trailer in a heavily-secured room, all bags were checked, and armed peacekeepers (and real security) watched our every move. This sucker is NOT leaking - at least not from Comic Con. You watch the trailer in individual pods on Samsung devices with head-sets. 

While I'd love to spill every last detail about the trailer to ALL OF YOU, about half of you don't want to be spoiled. So we'll give you our spoiler-free take on what we saw. 

Even though it’s only 1 minute long, the Our Leader the Mockingjay trailer feels enormous. It's violent. It's epic. My favorite thing about it is the look and feel of the districts. You’ll recognize a few right off the bat, and how Francis captures them is very unique but still beautifully faithful to the books. And Katniss. We see Katniss and she breaks your heart. The “I am. I will.” line you’ve been hearing all day will give you goosebumps long after you watch it. 

Can't wait to fangirl/boy over this one with all of you! It looks like the trailer will be online this Monday, July 28, at midnight ET (that’s 9pm PT on Sunday and 5am BST on Monday).

Inside The 'Mockingjay' Capitol Gallery Samsung Experience at Comic Con

Mockingjay Part 1 may not have had a Hall H panel at Comic-Con this year but they certainly had a presence. The Mockingjay Part 1 "Capitol Gallery" inside the Hard Rock Hotel outside San Diego Comic Con is unbelievable, immersive experience with multiple stations to explore. And plenty of free swag to obtain. We got a much closer look at the exhibit today.

You can snap a photo with one of the many peacekeepers stationed around the exhibit, or with Peeta and Johanna while perched in President Snow's throne.  

You can also grab a bite at Peeta's Bakery and a pressed juice at Haymitch's Elixirs. 

There is a station to make a shirt, tank or bag with a district on it (very popular, long lines), and the Gallery of Heroes, featuring the District Heroes posters. Eight stations in all and a LOT of cool (free!) stuff to take home!