Hunger Games Movie Production

Status:

Released

Budget:

Approximately 80 Million

Studio:

Lionsgate

Working Title:

Artemis - A working title is something a film production uses to keep things as discrete as possible while filming. Did you know Artemis was the Greek goddess of the wilderness, the hunt and wild animals?

Filming Location:

Hildebran, Shelby, Asheville, Dupont State Forest, Concord and Charlotte. All locations are located in North Carolina.

Filming Dates:

May 23rd-September 10th

The Script:

The original Hunger Games script was drafted by Suzanne Collins, and re-written by Billy Ray & Gary Ross. The finalized Hunger Games script (the one actors will use) was written by Suzanne Collins and Gary Ross.

Suzanne Collins wrote a letter to the fans on the Official Hunger Games Movie Facebook about the finalized script:

Now that the filming of The Hunger Games has begun, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the script, so I thought I might share a little of my experience with you. Back in early 2010, Color Force and Lionsgate began the process of adapting the book to the screen and I wrote the first draft of the script. After that, we brought on veteran screenwriter Billy Ray to further develop the piece. Not only has he written and directed excellent films like Shattered Glass and Breach, he was a complete pleasure to work with. Amazingly talented, collaborative, and always respectful of the book. His adaptation further explored the world of Panem and its inhabitants. As though I wasn’t lucky enough, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Gary Ross, known for his wonderful works such as Seabiscuit and Pleasantville, came on board. As part of his creative process, he wrote a subsequent draft which incorporated his incredible directorial vision of the film. And then he very generously invited me in to work with him on it. We had an immediate and exhilarating creative connection that brought the script to the first day of shooting. Of course, the piece will naturally continue to evolve through the filming, as the actors bring the characters to life, as the entire crew brings their significant talents to the piece, as the editors work with Gary to best realize his vision. The final draft will be on the screen next March.

So that’s been the script process, and as an author, I’m truly grateful for the journey.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins talks about how she helped write the Hunger Games script and why she will not be making a cameo in the movie:

“I wrote the treatment and original screenplay. Then screenwriter Billy Ray (State of Play) did a pass (or rewrite). Then director Gary Ross (Seabiscuit) did a pass, then Gary and I did a pass together.” USA Today May 4, 2011

EW has also received an early copy of the Hunger Games script. They tell us that the script:

“…includes a note by note retelling of the games. How can the studio show brutal kid-on-kid violence and still pull off a PG-13 rating?  “It’s always going to be an intense subject matter, but you can tell the story with some restraint.” says producer Nina Jacobson who praises the books for appealing to both girls and boys.  ‘The only people these books are not for are those under 12.  The movie will be the same.” Entertainment Weekly October 14, 2010