The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1: The 8 Things We’re Most Excited For

It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year. Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss Everdeen in the third installment of ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy, ‘Mockingjay Part 1’, out 20 November.

At the end of ‘Catching Fire’, following her rescue from the brutal Quarter Quell, Katniss is told that Peeta didn’t make it out of the games safely and was captured by the Capitol.

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Talk about a cliff-hanger!

We’ve been counting down to this film all year, re-watching the earlier films in preparation.

Here are the 11 things we’re most looking forward to seeing in ‘Mockingjay’… WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

President Coin

US actress Julianne Moore makes her ‘Hunger Games’ debut playing the part of President Alma Coin, leader of District 13. She’s a fierce and ruthless leader who will stop at nothing to reach her goals – but it will be interesting to see the dynamic between Katniss and Coin at the start of the film as the two really don’t get along.

District 13

We found out at the end of ‘Catching Fire’ that District 13 hasn’t been destroyed as the Capitol claimed, and is in fact a fully-operational district (albeit entirely underground). We know from Suzanne Collins’ visual descriptions that it’s a sterile and mechanical environment so we’re looking forward to seeing its big screen debut.

Peeta’s Hijacking

He’s the baker’s son that fell for Katniss Everdeen the moment he laid eyes on her. But for Peeta Mallark, his hopes and dreams about Katniss are set to be quashed as his mind is hijacked by the Capitol. Actor Josh Hutcherson has played the part of love-struck teenage Peeta thus far, but how will he get on portraying Peeta as an anguished, out-of-control scorned lover?

Plutarch Heavensbee

He tragically passed away earlier this year so this is one of Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s final on-screen roles, playing the head of the rebel forces in District 13. He was introduced to our screens as the Head Gamesmaker in ‘Catching Fire’, but he plays a major role in ‘Mockingjay’ as he persuades Coin to send Katniss into battle.

Effie’s Make-Under

She comes from the Capitol, so it’s no wonder she has a somewhat eccentric style. But District 12 escort Effie Trinkett (played by Elizabeth Banks) is stripped back for her role in ‘Mockingjay’ as she must adhere to the strict uniformity of District 13. How will she survive? Will her appearance affect her confident demeanour? We shall have to wait and see.

The Rescue

A number of soldiers (including Gale) volunteer to rescue Peeta and Annie from President Snow’s grasp, held against their will in the Capitol, but as readers will know, it doesn’t exactly go according to plan. We look forward to seeing how this ‘Mission: Impossible’ style rescue mission translates to the film adaptation.

Finnick And Annie’s Reunion

We learn in ‘Catching Fire’ that Finnick is not all that he seems as he pines over his love interest, Annie Cresta, who’s a tribute from District 4. The pair are reunited thanks to Katniss, who stipulates that she must be rescued alongside Peeta if Coin wants her to be the ‘Mockingjay’. What will happen to their relationship? Will they be able to adapt to their new surroundings and the pressures they are under?

Where The Film Splits The Book

As we all know, the film is being split into two parts, with the final installment (‘Mockingjay Part 2’) arriving in November 2015. As with the ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Twilight’ films when they were released, it’s not known where the story will be split in two. Some critics reckon it will be left on a cliff-hanger, just after the moment when Peeta attacks Katniss following his rescue.

But this leaves a lot of ground left to cover in ‘Mockingjay - Part 2’. So could it end when the rebel troops arrive in the Capitol?

Either way, we know we’ll be counting down every day until the film’s finale is released next year.

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Image credits: Lionsgate