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Philip Seymour Hoffman Will Not Appear via CGI in ‘Mockingjay’

Philip Seymour HoffmanPhilip Seymour Hoffman will not be digitally recreated to appear in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1.

The actor tragically died in February of a heroin overdose before he could complete the sci-fi film and director Francis Lawrence is determined to include the star in the scenes he couldn't complete, but will not settle for digitally enhancing his image into the movie.

"We finished the majority of his work. I think he might have had eight to 10 days left on our schedule. In most of those scenes, Phil didn't have any dialogue. We are going to put him into those scenes, but we're only using real footage. We're not creating anything digital or a robotic version of him," he said.

Shortly after his passing, studio Lionsgate, who is making the movies, said Philip would be recreated for scenes using CGI effects. Producer Nina Jacobson said they may give some of the star's character, Plutarch Heavensbee's, lines to other characters, but said that would happen "only in circumstances that we are able to do that without undermining the intent of the scene."

Click to continue reading Philip Seymour Hoffman Will Not Appear via CGI in ‘Mockingjay’


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Jennifer Lawrence to Go on Hiatus

Jennifer LawrenceJennifer Lawrence is going to take a year's break from acting.

The 23-year-old actress has made eight films in the past 12 months, and Harvey Weinstein - who worked with her on Silver Linings Playbook - has revealed she is about to have a much earned "rest."

"She's going to have a long break for a year where she won't do anything. It's been non-stop for her and she deserves a rest," he told The Sun.

The famed producer also defended her decision to not attend the BAFTAs ceremony, despite receiving an award for her role in American Hustle. "Jennifer is too nice and will do people favors and agrees to do a movie like American Hustle when she could have had a rest. She signed on to do Hunger Games when she was young and wouldn't have realized how much it would dominate her life. But she's a professional and always will be," the famed producer explained.


Quote of the Day: ‘Catching Fire’ Director on Jennifer Lawrence’s Running

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

"We worked on [how Jennifer Lawrence looks when she's running]. One of the first things we talked about when we started Catching Fire was that she said she always made this stupid face when she ran, and I had to specifically watch out to make sure she didn't make the stupid face when she ran. So I was always checking. I would tell her, 'You made the stupid face!'"

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire director Francis Lawrence recalls working with Jennifer Lawrence on fixing how she looks when she's running in a scene.

(Make sure to check out other notable quotes.)

Read More | Vulture

Liam Hemsworth Tried to Lose Weight for ‘Catching Fire’

Liam HemsworthLiam Hemsworth tried to lose weight for his role in Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

The hunky actor claims he tried to avoid pumping iron in the gym and tried to eat healthily before reprising his role in the popular sci-fi series because he wanted to shed some extra pounds: "I was actually trying to lose weight, so I'm not lifting anything too heavy during this process. I tried to cut out the bad food."

Liam's co-star, Josh Hutcherson insists there was no rivalry between the male cast members on set when it came to bulking up their bodies for the movie. "We didn't really train together, for me I definitely did a lot more training for the first movie, I kind of coasted into the second one but I worked very hard, a lot of weight lifting and stuff," he explained.

Click to continue reading Liam Hemsworth Tried to Lose Weight for ‘Catching Fire’


Josh Hutcherson Giggles During Love Scenes with Jennifer Lawrence

Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer LawrenceJosh Hutcherson finds it weird to kiss Jennifer Lawrence.

The Hunger Games hunk gets the giggles when he has to switch on the romance for love scenes with the Oscar-winning actress - who plays fearless competitor Katniss Everdeen in the fantasy franchise - because they are such good friends in real life.

"It is. There are times when we've had to cut because we can't get through a take without laughing," he told Glamour when asked if it's strange to have to seduce his pal Jennifer.

The 20-year-old actor fell for his own girlfriend, actress Claudia Traisac, while filming upcoming thriller Paradise Lost and he thinks it's natural to develop feelings for your co-stars: "As far as I'm concerned, you're both actors, you understand each other's lifestyle, so it's a very natural thing to have happen."


Jennifer Lawrence Relieved to Lose ‘Twilight’ Part

Jennifer LawrenceJennifer Lawrence is glad that she wasn't cast as Bella Swan in the Twilight films. The 22-year-old actress auditioned for the lead female role in the vampire franchise, but is glad she wasn't picked for it because she's not sure she could cope with the paparazzi attention Kristen Stewart receives.

"Oh yeah, for sure. I remember when the first movie came out, seeing Kristen Stewart on the red carpet and getting papped wherever she went. For me, and I'm assuming for her, it was just another audition. Then it turned into this whole other thing," she said when asked whether she was disappointed with not winning the role.

Jennifer now has her own fame-inducing role as heroine Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games franchise - which is also adapted from a series of young adult novels. The young starlet was unsure about starring in the blockbuster films after earning critical acclaim for her roles in smaller movies: "I was worried it would be overwhelming and that no one would be able to see me as any other character. But I really cared about the movie. I'm proud of The Hunger Games as I am of any of the other films I've done."


Simon Pegg Doesn’t Like 3D, But He Does Like The Hunger Games

Simon PeggSimon Pegg is not a fan of 3D. The Shaun of the Dead star doesn't like to see movies with computer imagery as he feels like it is an "intrusion."

"I'm not a fan of 3D, it generally feels like an intrusion," he said.

However, Simon has quite eclectic taste in films and enjoys everything from comedy to zombie classics.

"The last thing I saw was 21 Jump Street, which was very funny. And I was delighted to see The Artist do so well. My all time favorite films include George A. Romero's zombie classics which have been a huge influence and Young Frankenstein which I first watched on 16mm film. I had dinner with Mel Brooks recently and he said he enjoyed Shaun of the Dead, which was a delight."

Simon is also secretly a fan of The Hunger Games: "I'll confess to currently reading The Hunger Games to see what the fuss is about. I've enjoyed it, actually. I think people assume it's going to be like Twilight, which is like reading the diary of a teenage girl - but it's pretty compelling."


Taylor Kitsch For Catching Fire Role?

Taylor KitschTaylor Kitsch, Garrett Hedlund and Armie Hammer are reportedly battling it out for the role of Finnick Odair in Catching Fire.

Finnick is the victor of the 65th Hunger Games in the Suzanne Collins book trilogy on which the movies are based and his role is a vital one in the second novel. According to E! News, film bosses are undecided about whether to go with one of these three actors or launch an unknown with the pivotal role. A decision is expected to be made this week.

However, Lionsgate refused to comment, with a representative saying, "As with the first film, we won't be confirming, denying or commenting on any casting rumors for this title. We will announce news wide when there is official casting news to announce."

Filming is scheduled to begin later this year with Francis Lawrence taking over the directing reigns from Gary Ross, who chose not to return to the franchise.

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth all starred in The Hunger Games, which was released earlier this year and are on board to reprise their roles of Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark and Gale Hawthorne respectively.


Robert Pattinson ‘Curious’ About Catching Fire Role

Robert PattinsonRobert Pattinson admits he was "curious" about starring in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

The Twilight Saga star has been linked with the role of Finnick Odair - known by fans of the Suzanne Collins book trilogy for being the victor of the 65th Hunger Games - and while he was intrigued at the prospect of being offered the part, the 26-year-old actor's agent insists he will not be appearing in the movie.

"I woke up and saw all these things about me being cast in The Hunger Games. I was kind of curious for a second. So I called my agent. My agent was like, 'No.' [My agent] was like no one's going to offer you that part. I was like, thanks for the reassurance."

Production on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is set to begin this fall ahead of its planned release date in November 2013, with Francis Lawrence - who worked with Robert on 2011 movie Water For Elephants - set to direct the film.


Box Office Breakdown: The Avengers Make History

The Avengers

The Avengers really know how to battle it out at the box office.

The comic book movie - helmed by Joss Whedon - took in $200.3 million at the box office this past weekend, securing the top spot for the biggest opening weekend record, just in front of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 ($169.2 million), The Dark Knight Rises ($158.4 million), and The Hunger Games ($152.5).

Last week's top movie, Think Like a Man, was bumped down one spot to number 2 with $8 million while The Hunger Games maintained its number 3 spot with $5.7 million.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Avengers Make History

Read More | Box Office Mojo

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