Public Readings - 'The Hunger Games' movie: Josh Hutcherson talks DVD and Blu-ray release for fans. With the release of “The Hunger Games” movie on DVD and Blu-ray this Saturday, August 18, fans are certainly excited to bring the blockbuster film back to their homes for another watch (or re-watch, for that matter).
In latest Panem cast and character news, actor Josh Hutcherson of “The Hunger Games”—who plays District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark in the adaptation and expected to reprise his lead role in the sequel “Catching Fire” film—recently sat down with “Yahoo! Movies” to discuss the film and some insights into its next installments.
View slideshow: Photos of Josh Hutcherson
According to “Yahoo! Movies” this Saturday morning, Hutcherson opened up on his personal thoughts and insights toward the bestselling novel-to-the-big-screen franchise meant to commemorate the DVD release and Blu-ray sale of “The Hunger Games” movie this weekend.
While the young actor may still be down-to-earth and modest in the exclusive interview, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t found a following of many (female) fans on popular social media sites. His Facebook page alone has found more than 1 ½ million “likes” by “The Hunger Games” movie supporters and fans alike, as well as over a solid million Twitter followers.“I was very nervous about it at first, to be honest,” said Josh Hutcherson about starting the bestselling trilogy by author Suzanne Collins. “It’s crazy because everyone said being an actor and ‘living’ through the Hunger Games would change [my] whole life… But I like my life! I didn’t want the fame to get to me and change me, and it didn’t.”
It’s not hard to say why. While the good-looking played a star role in the film, “The Hunger Games” was a hotly anticipated movie—and after only the “The Avengers”—was the most popular and financially successful box office hit this year, having earned almost $700 million and counting.
“’The Hunger Games’ fans are extremely ravenous and very passionate … They’re just the best,” said Hutcherson with a smile.
Both Josh Hutcherson and his Oscar nominee co-star and leading lady, Jennifer Lawrence (who plays kick-butt heroine Katniss Everdeen and is also set to reprise her role in the “Catching Fire” film—are excited about “The Hunger Games” DVD and Blu-ray release this weekend.
“The release actually contains some of our own video diaries and bonus content on the filming process,” the actor explains. “[It’s] a close and personal look into what it was like shooting the movie, from beginning to end. Fans will enjoy it.”
The hotly anticipated sequel, “Catching Fire,” will no doubt be just as big a hit for many fans. The movie is expected to start shooting by early fall (only several weeks), and few people are more excited that Josh Hutcherson himself (as well as all of the recent confirmed castings this week).
“I’m so excited it’s finally here. I can’t wait to start shooting … I do have a script in hand, and it is awesome. With the help of [director Francis Lawrence] … the movie version of the book is close to the original novel, and the [‘Catching Fire’] film is going to be another true-to-the-book rendition.”
The Peeta Mellark actor was a bit coy on the details surrounding his love triangle set in “Catching Fire”—between Peeta himself, Katniss, and the strong and handsome friend, Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), but is similarly looking forward about filming the complex character roles. He also joked that he doesn’t mind a girl rescuing a boy either in the film, as Katniss often has to come to Peeta’s rescue in the dangerous arena of the Hunger Games tournament.
“It’s been an amazing ride, overall, and it’s just the start. So it’s all very exciting,” he said with pride.
No doubt that fans can get their survival mode on with “The Hunger Games” movie DVD and Blu-ray release this Saturday, which will no doubt help in the wait for the upcoming “Catching Fire” film and, after that, the third installment in the trilogy, “Mockingjay.”
To stay up-to-date on the most recent “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” film and casting news, you can follow Ryan on Twitter or visit his community Facebook page, Books into Movies Examiner.