Ashleigh Hill-Buxton
Although November still seems so far way that it could be described as the distant future, the folks over at Lionsgate have already commenced their marketing campaign for the upcoming sequel to smash-hit “The Hunger Games” by releasing images from “The Capitol Portrait Collection”.
Every few hours, a Hunger Games or gossip website drops a new image from “Catching Fire”, featuring classically-styled portraits of both existing characters and some new faces that fans are dying to see.
The first pictures in the collection featured the disturbingly chipper Effie Trinket, television personality Caesar Flickerman, Capitol style icon Cinna and drunken District 12 Mentor Haymitch.
Then, the first image of one of the past Victors of The Hunger Games dropped – the dapper, intelligent Beetee, who hails from District Three, where electrical goods are manufactured.
This was followed by what was most likely intended to be the final image of the series, but was leaked early – District 12 Victor and heroine Katniss Everdeen, dressed in a billowing white gown that had her resembling both the eponymous mockingjays mentioned in the series and a bride on her wedding day. True to her fiery personality, stares straight at the camera and refuses to sit for her Capitol Portrait.
Katniss’ image was swiftly followed by that of sarcastic, bitter Victor Johanna Mason; a Hunger Games champion from District 7, which is known for its paper and lumber production and thus, her wicked ability to kill with an axe. Clearly bored and dissatisfied in her portrait, Johanna looks like she’s ready to strangle the photographer.
Then, the much-awaited portrait of Katniss’ beau and fellow District 12 Victor, Peeta Mellark. Handsomely dressed in a white suit and gently clutching the rose held by each of the Victors before him, Peeta bears a look of hope and strength.
The most recent portrait features Katniss’ lifelong friend Gale Hawthorne, dressed in miner’s boots and simple clothes, he stares straight at the camera, the white rose in his hands almost ready to fall from his grasp.
Clues are released before each portrait, with the next one – to be released in a few hours – tagged as #TheCatchofTheCapitol. Our guess is that it will feature the charming, handsome, District 4 Victor Finnick Odair, who is known not only for his skill with a fishing trident but also his talent for charming the wealthy and powerful women of The Capitol.(UPDATE! Yep, it’s Finnick!)
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” follows District 12 Victors Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark as they embark on their Victory Tour of Panem’s Districts. Under threat of death from the sinister President Snow, they are forced to act as though they are madly in love with one another, for their unconventional victory was seen as an act of rebellion among the citizens of Panem, rather than an act of passion. As the 75th Annual Hunger Games approaches, an anniversary Games with a special new rule each time it rolls around, Katniss and Peeta find themselves among Victors from every other District, fighting against an enemy none of them thought they’d have to face again.
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is set for release on November 21, 2013.
