Lionsgate is Developing 'The Odyssey' Adaptation With The Hunger Games Team

Peter Craig, Nina Jacobson and Francis Lawrence

Lionsgate is developing a movie version of Homer’s The Odyssey with Catching Fire and Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2 director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson. Peter Craig, who co-wrote the two Mockingjay films, is writing the script.

According to Deadline, Lionsgate has put this on a fast track. The plan is to begin production early next year, right after the filmmakers complete promotion of Mockingjay – Part 2, which will be released November 20. The project took root when Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erik Feig pitched it to Lawrence in Paris while they worked on the Hunger Games finale.

“The Odyssey” is believed to have been composed by Homer in the 8th century B.C. It centers on Odysseus and his long journey home after the fall of Troy.

Willow Shields and Mark Ballas' 'Hunger Games' Contemporary on Week 4 of Dancing With The Stars

Carrie Ann likes it!

Willow Shields and Mark Ballas did a moving Hunger Games themed contemporary performance to "Atlas" by Coldplay from the Catching Fire soundtrack on Dancing With the Stars last night. Complete with tributes on platforms, fighting in an arena, canons, and fallen tributes broadcast in the sky, the production value of the number was stunning, and Willow and Mark recieved 39 out of 40 from the judges, the highest score of the evening. Take a look: 

Here's one for those of you outside the US:

The number represented Willow's "Most Memorable Year" which was the theme of this week's show. Willow picked 2011, the year she was cast in The Hunger Games as a wee 10-year-old. 

Jennifer Lawrence and Willow on The hunger Games setLiam Hemsworth and Willow on setThanks to @districtshields for the screencaps!  

Willow and Mark's interview after the show:

No matter how wonderful Willow is, she can't stay in the game without our votes!

Here's how:

Be sure to vote while the show airs in your time zone and for an hour after the show airs by phone at 1-855-234-5612. You can vote at ABC.com (you'll need to create an account), or on the Dancing with the Stars FB page from 8pm EST Mon until 8pm EST Tuesday. The judges are only 50% of the score. We need to vote! 

Lionsgate Announces 'The Hunger Games' Attraction at Dubai Themepark

According to a press release, Lionsgate is partnering with Dubai Parks and Resorts to bring a Lionsgate zone - including The Hunger Games attractions -  to Motiongate Dubai, a Hollywood-themed park opening in Dubai in October 2016.

The Lionsgate zone will feature state-of-the-art theme park attractions and a retail facility inspired by Lionsgate's global blockbusterThe Hunger Games franchise.  It will also incorporate a live stage show based on Step Up: All In and Step Up: Revolution, the two most recent films in the Company's worldwide Step Up franchise.

"Our franchises are continuing to drive location-based entertainment opportunities around the world," said Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. "We're proud to partner with the team at Dubai Parks and Resorts to create a thrilling total entertainment experience designed to attract millions of new fans and continue the global expansion of our brands."

What do you think tributes? Is it totally cool or too Capitol for comfort? Remember when The Capitol turned the old arenas into tourist attractions in The Hunger Games? It's creeping us out a little bit. 

Willow Shields and Mark Ballas on Week 3 of Dancing With The Stars

Willow Shields and Mark Ballas danced a fire and ice paso doble on week 3 (Latin week) of Dancing With The Stars. Willow and Mark impressed the judges yet again, receiving all 8s and one of the evening's top scores. This girl is ACTUALLY on fire. She's amazing! 

E! News spoke with Willow and Mark after their performance and Willow shared what Jennifer Lawrence and her castmates think of her turn on DWTS. She says Jen is "really excited."

"I think everybody is like, ‘Where did this come from? Oh my god, you're dancing!' Like Jen, of course she was like, 'Oh god, I would be so scared to do that.' They're all very excited."

Don't forget to vote for Willow and Mark. Here's how:

Be sure to vote while the show airs in your time zone and for an hour after the show airs by phone at 1-855-234-5612. You can vote at ABC.com (you'll need to create an account), or on the Dancing with the Stars FB page from 8pm EST Mon until 8pm EST Tuesday.Tthe judges are only 50% of the score. We need to vote! Every vote counts! 

'Mockingjay' Triple Win at the Kids' Choice Awards + Liam Hemsworth & Willow Shields Attend

Mockingjay Part 1 took home Favorite Movie, Favorite Female Action Star for Jennifer Lawrence and Favorite Male Action Star at the Kids' Choice Awards Saturday night. Jen wasn't at the ceremony, but Liam Hemsworth was on hand to accept, kind of looking like he was asleep on his couch all day and then ran over to the show. In a gorgeous way, of course! Though his hair was the most talked-about portion of the evening across social media.

You can see Liam accept his award and the quick blurb about Mockingjay winning here at about the 1:38 mark:

Wilow Shields also attended the ceremony in Los Angeles. Here she is on the red carpet with Dancing With the stars partner Mark Ballas:

Francis Lawrence and Elizabeth Banks to Be Honored at Cinema Con

Francis Lawrence and Elizabeth Banks will be honored with "Director of the Year" and "Breakthrough Filmmaker of the Year" at Cinema Con on April 23rd. The 5th annual the convention of The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), will be held April 20 – 23, 2015, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. 

Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon says of Francis Lawrence's "Director of the Year" honor :

"Since making his feature film debut ten years ago, Francis Lawrence has mesmerized moviegoing audiences with his own unique and inventive style," noted Neuhauser. "A true visionary, Lawrence is sure to captivate audiences next fall when ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2,’ the eagerly anticipated finale of the box-office franchise, hits our theaters. We couldn’t think of a more deserving director and are thrilled to be honoring him with the ‘CinemaCon® Director of the Year Award.’"

On Elizabeth Banks' "Breakthrough Filmmaker of the Year" award: 

"One of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses and a force to be reckoned with behind the scenes at Brownstone Productions, Elizabeth Banks draws some of her cast’s finest performances to date as she helms "Pitch Perfect 2," noted Neuhauser. "Elizabeth is already a well-deserving CinemaCon honoree for her talents as a performer, and we could not be more excited to honor her as the ’CinemaCon Breakthrough Filmmaker of the Year’ as she makes the transition behind the camera to direct her first feature.’"

Lawrence and Banks will be presented with their special honors at the "CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards" ceremony on Thursday, April 23, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. There hasn't been any official annoucement of a Mockingjay Part 2 presentation at Cinema Con this year, but since 2 of the Mockingjay family are already attending, we can only hope.

In 2013, Francis Lawrence, Elizabeth Banks and Liam Hemsworth did a Catching Fire presentation at the Lionsgate panel, showing attendees the (already released) teaser trailer and talking about the film.  

Elizabeth Banks on How Effie Inspires Her Wardrobe, Katniss & Gratitude

Elizabeth Banks recently spoke to Marie Claire about her involvement in the #ThankList project and, of course, Effie and The Hunger Games popped into the conversation.

 

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 will come out in November. It was the last film where you got to play Effie. Did you take anything as a souvenir?

"I have a pair of Alexander McQueen shoes that are amazing, that are like really classically Alexander McQueen, too. You would know them on site, like 'Oh yeah, that's them.' So I love that. But really, I just took, like, more confidence in my dressing. Do you know what I mean? Like, 'Why am I wearing this Monique Lhuillier today?' Probably because of Effie. I would just be wearing a black dress otherwise."

Effie's first fitting for Catching Fire. Image from @mztsummerville on instagram

Yes, she is definitely a character who is not afraid of color.

"She really taught me a lot about my body and what looks good on me and dressing for fun. All of it was such an amazing collaboration. I mean, we created a little fashion icon. It was very much a collaborative, creative experience that I'm not probably soon to have again."

Who is your favorite Hunger Games character, personally?

"Well, Katniss is my favorite. Katniss first, then Effie second. But yes, Katniss, of course, she's the moral center and the heart and the soul of the whole series and she kicks ass and so as a woman audience member, as a reader, as a mother, I'm just so thrilled to see that character succeed."

It seems like that were kind of in this upswing in Hollywood in regards to these badass heroines.

"I think we're in a really great time right now. There were articles in The New York Times and Variety about how the big blockbusters have some real competition from some movies that were really made for the 'ladies,' which I think is really interesting."

When looking at these two very different movies [Mockingjay Part 2 and Pitch Perfect 2], what's been your favorite scene to film?

"Effie is amazing but it's not particularly fun to play her. It's very uncomfortable to film that character and they're pretty dark films, the subject matter is intense, and so the word 'fun' is not one I easily associate with the shooting of those movies. I had a lot of fun off the set with the cast and crew. Pitch Perfect 2, those scenes are super fun. It's just me and John Michael Higgins, and we've been friends for so long we just have the best time. Anything I do with him is some of my favorite stuff."

So what drew you to the #ThankList project?

"Well, I'm a fan of Barbara Kopple and she made these really beautiful, short films that are extremely moving. They can be viewed at ThankList.com, and they just drew me in in a really deep way, I mean you gotta break out the tissues when you're watching these videos, they're incredible.

And so, when they called me and said, you know, we're trying to promote this attitude of gratitude, fostering a culture of gratitude online especially, I loved the messaging. I really felt like it's all about connectedness and connectivity with other people. So even with American Greetings, they're looking at a time in the world right now where people don't send those cards as much, but people still have a need for that connectedness. And the connectivity really mattered to me. And I felt like, if there's a way for me to convince people to call their mom and say, 'Thank you for being my mom,' that's cool with me."

There was that Oscars speech by JK Simmons where it was a similar sentiment—"Call your mother!"

"Exactly, great moment. I also have a blog I really try for positivity at all times in that blog. And I just think there's so much negativity in the world and bullying and hate speech that it felt really easy to get behind something that promotes civility and gratitude and love."

Who are YOU grateful for? Share your own #thanklist at AmericanGreetings.com. 

Happy Birthday Francis Lawrence!

Happy Birthday to our fearless leader, director Francis Lawrence. We're SO lucky to have your vision and talent guiding our beloved The Hunger Games films!