Lionsgate To Release ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’ In Two Parts

In a move that will shock no one, Lionsgate announced today that they will release the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy in two-parts. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 will be released on November 21, 2014 and Mockingjay Part 2 will arrive on November 20, 2015. With the first sequel, Catching Fire getting ready to start shooting this fall and set for release on November 22, 2013, it means that for the next three years we will get a new Hunger Games movie just in time for Thanksgiving. Hmm, I wonder if Lionsgate’s decision to make Novemeber the release date for all of the sequels has anything to do with cornucopias and Thanksgiving? I’ll let you ponder that one.

As for Hollywood’s new trend of splitting the final book in a series into two-parts (Harry Potter and Twilight and now Hunger Games) I’m not sure if I like it or not. Is it studios wanting to do the books justice or is just a cash-grab? I’d like to think it’s the studios trying to do the books and fans the justice they need/want/deserve, but I’m inclined to think of it as just another way for Hollywood to get fans to fork up more money. I guess as long as the two-part trend keeps making studios money and fans keep enjoying the final movies then we should just get used to it.