Mockingjay Part 1: Why The Hunger Games Cast Constantly Punched Each Other On Set

Mockingjay Part 1: Hunger Games Cast Constantly Punched Each Other On Set

‘Mockingjay – Part 1’ is the darkest ‘Hunger Games’ film so far, so it was a good job the cast were on hand to help lighten the mood behind the scenes… by farting and constantly punching each other.

We asked the stars of the film - Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin, Julianne Moore, Natalie Dormer and director Francis Lawrence - who was the biggest joker on set, and how they lightened the mood when the cameras weren’t rolling.

“It’s always Jennifer”, said Claflin. “Without a doubt. If she hasn’t farted herself she will blame someone else for farting. But maybe woody [Harrelson as well]. Every time on set he’d try and trip me up.

“Most shenanigans are lead by Woody Harrelson” - agreed Banks. “He’s accompanied on almost all endeavors by Jennifer Lawrence.”

Lawrence demurred, telling us “it’s a joint effort”.

- Hunger Games Poised To Break New Box Office Record
- No CGI Used For Philip Seymour Hoffman Scenes In Mockingjay 
- The Hunger Games Hidden References Explained

Director Lawrence said he deliberately kept the mood light during filming, and was part of an arm-punching game that has been going since the first movie.

“I like to have a fun, easy going set. I don’t like these super intense brutal sets. Luckily Josh and Liam and Jen and Woody are also that way and are able to turn it on and off and they are constantly joking.

“[There’s] a lot of punching. I’m also part of the game. It has a crude name I can’t say on television. You’ll have to ask Josh!”

Claflin goes on: “We’d play this game, its difficult to explain… you were never safe. It started on the first film, it got bought into ‘Catching Fire’ and has grown into something that every crew member doing this [a hand signal] below their waist.”

Both Banks and Julianne Moore said there was a “no-punching” rule for them. “I bruise easily!” said Moore.

Watch the full video above for more on-set gossip and japes.

‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’ is released in the UK on 20 November.