'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1' trailer features a creepy surprise
'The Hunger Games': A new trailer for the upcoming film 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1' is styled as an address to the citizens of the fictional country Panem by President Snow (Donald Sutherland), but it has an unpleasant surprise at the end.
'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' stars Josh Hutcherson (l.), Elizabeth Banks (center), and Jennifer Lawrence (r.).
Murray Close/Lionsgate/AP
A creepy new trailer has debuted for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1,” the third in a planned quartet of films.
Series fans will remember that the last film, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” ended with love interest Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) being captured by government forces. In the new clip, the country’s leader President Snow (Donald Sutherland) is addressing the citizens about recent trouble in the country. (The trailer is created as if it’s an official address by Snow to the citizens of the fictional country Panem, with the logo for “Capitol TV” appearing before Snow makes his speech.)
“Since the dark days, our nation has known only peace,” Snow says as words like “unity” and “prosperity” flash on the screen. “Your hard work feeds us and in return we feed and protect you. But if you resist the system, you starve yourself. If you fight against it, it is you who will bleed.”
As Snow speaks, it is revealed that none other than Peeta is standing next to him, staring into space.
The “Hunger Games” film series has often taken unusual routes to advertise the movies. Before the release of the 2013 film “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” the movie’s studio, Lionsgate, created a fake fashion website titled “Capitol Couture” that shows the newest looks for Panem’s wealthy citizens and included “interviews” with the characters of the movie. Cover Girl and retailer Net-A-Porter also sold makeup and clothing looks, respectively, based on the film.
“Games” author Suzanne Collins told Variety that she was “thrilled” with the ad campaign.
“It’s appropriately disturbing and thought-provoking how the campaign promotes ‘Catching Fire’ while simultaneously promoting the Capitol’s punitive forms of entertainment,” she said. “The stunning image of Katniss in her wedding dress that we use to sell tickets is just the kind of thing the Capitol would use to rev up its audience for the Quarter Quell [the name of the games in “Catching Fire”]. That dualistic approach is very much in keeping with the books."