Vanity Fair's Interview with Francis Lawrence

Vanity Fair.com has an interview with Catching Fire director Francis Lawrence. It also includes several beautiful photos of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss (in her wedding gown!), as well as images of Gale, Finnick, Peeta, and Effie. These are, in part, from the October issue of Vanity Fair magazine.

“One of the big overarching themes for all the books is this idea of the consequences of war, and one of the unfortunate consequences of war is post-traumatic stress,” explains Francis Lawrence, who directed The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, out this November. (His previous films include I Am Legend and Water for Elephants.) In the new movie, not only have young leads Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson aged nearly two years, but also their characters, Katniss and Peeta, have returned to their home district haunted by what they’ve seen and done. “That’s one of the first things you see in the movie,” the director adds. “They’re changed people because of having been in the Games.”

Francis Lawrence Talks 'Catching Fire' in Total Film

I really loved how the world opens up in the second book. The mythology opens up, the story's much more complex, you see more of the Districts and Capitol, and you really start to get a sense of the meaning of things. This one's very different. The arena's much more active. and the movie's about different things, thematically: it's about the beginning of a rebellion, and Kat is becoming a symbol, and there's much more love story. She's been in the Games, and so we had a lot of discussions about what that means, how one can be haunted by taking part in violent acts and witnessing violent things."  

 - Francis Lawrence on Catching Fire in Total Film Magazine

Jennifer Lawrence to Star in 'East of Eden' With Gary Ross Directing

Looks like Jennifer Lawrence and Gary Ross are teaming up again for an adaptation of East of Eden.

From Variety:

Based on the John Steinbeck novel, the story revolves around a father and two sons in California’s Salinas Valley, and the dark secrets about their mother, whom they thought dead. The book was originally adapted by director Elia Kazan, and the classic film starred James Dean.

Lawrence will play at an earlier time in her life the role of the mother who was played by Jo Van Fleet in the 1955 version. Some may wonder why the studio would cast the role that isn’t exactly seen as the most important but you may have heard of Lawrence’s interest in working again with Ross and did not want to miss out on the opportunity given her busy schedule.

Sam Claflin in Variety - 10 Brits To Watch

Here's the cover and the article from the Variety "10 Brits To Watch" we told you about here.

In a few short years since graduating from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2009, the actor has seen his career take off, thanks to a series of modest yet effective roles in films and tv productions, both local and international. They include the BBC's United, and Channel 4/Starz miniseries Pillars of the Earth, and the features Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Snow White and the Huntsman.

Of course, all that success now pales in comparison to the global super stardom promised by his latest role - that of heroic heartthrob and fan favorite Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, due out in November.

The 27-year-old Brit reportedly beat out such higher profile names as Taylor Kitch and Armie Hammer for the part of the tall, toned, blond and tan Odair, despite showing up for his audition "with a stubbly face and very pale English skin, long brown hair, and, to be honest, out of shape," as he told Elle Magazine

Claflin, whose fast growing resume now includes The Quiet Ones, Love Rosie, and the next installment in The Hunger Games franchise, quickly hit up the gym and the hair dye to achieve, as he's wryly described his transformation, "a semblance of that perfection" fans are expecting.

Christina Aguilera joins Catching Fire Soundtrack Ranks

It's official: Christina Aguilera has written a song for the Catching Fire soundtrack! She is the third artist to be announced, behind Coldplay and The National.

 Her song is titled We Remain.

Sam Claflin for British Airways

First off: how adorable is he? Come on. Seriously.

British Airways has debuted its new "Red Carpet Route" - a direct from Los Angeles to London on their new Airbus A380 - with Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair) as one of their spokesmen! 

"We currently fly three flights a day from LA to London and are proud to be strengthening our connection between these two entertainment capitals with the largest and most luxurious aircraft in our fleet," said Sean Doyle, EVP Americas for British Airways.

Celebrating the connection between two entertainment capitals of the world, British Airways has partnered with Varietymagazine to present "10 Brits to Watch". The best emerging U.K. talent in Hollywood will be recognized at a red carpet event on September 25.

At the premiere party, guests will experience signature elements of the A380 while honoring the magazine's "10 Brits to Watch."  These up-and-coming actors, writers, directors and musicians include Sam Claflin, Tuppence Middleton, Harry Treadaway,Sally El Housani, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Georgia King, Ed Whitworth, George Blagden, Alexandra McGuiness and Lauren Harris.

 Image and Text from PR News Wire.com

LISTEN: Bruno Gunn Talks 'Catching Fire' & The Fandom With 102.1 FM

Cleveland's 102.1 FM had our very own Brutus, Bruno Gunn, on their show this morning! They interviewed him about (of course!) Catching Fire, as well as what it was like to work with Jennifer Lawrence. He also discusses the fandom! You can listen by clicking the link above. 

Jennifer Lawrence on How She Identifies With Katniss

Empire Nov 2013 Subscriber Only Special Edition Cover

In the November issue of Empire magazine, Jennifer Lawrence talks about how she identifies with Katniss. The issue will hit news stands on September 26th.

"It's hard to say you identify with someone who's facing life and death and war," she shared. "It's not like, 'Oh my God that's, like, totally how I feel'.

"But there is the connection in that she doesn't feel like just part of the town anymore. Now everyone treats her as a celebrity... Whereas she still feels like she's part of them."

Lawrence went on to say that, since appearing on the big screen, she hates that people treat her like she is an alien or superior being.

"I get that a lot," she admitted. "I'll go to get a coffee where I always get coffee and all of a sudden there's this weird mood, and I'm like, 'Come on, I still get coffee here, just say hello'."

Via: DigitalSpy