The Hunger Games

Katniss Everdeen volunteers in place of her sister, Prim, and heads to the 74th Hunger Games with Peeta Mellark of District 12. Cinna turns her into "the girl on fire," and Peeta announces on TV that he loves her. In the arena, Katniss teams up with little Rue, who is killed, and District 11 riots. A new rule allows two winners from the same district; Katniss finds a wounded Peeta and nurses him. After Cato dies, the rule is revoked. Katniss and Peeta threaten to eat poisonous berries together, and the Gamemakers cave: both win. Haymitch warns Katniss she has made powerful enemies. Snow punishes Seneca Crane by locking him in with the berries, and the two victors head home to District 12.

1. ReferenceTheseus and the Minotaur

   Reaping two kids per district comes from the Greek myth where Athens sent young men and women to the Minotaur on Crete. Suzanne Collins also cited Roman gladiators and the mix of reality TV and war coverage on TV.

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2. SetupThe free pin

   At the Hob, Katniss asks how much a mockingjay pin costs and the vendor lets her keep it. In the book it's a gift from Madge, the mayor's daughter. Keep an eye on that bird.

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3. Behind the scenesSnow and Seneca, a new scene

   The book only shows what Katniss sees. The film adds talks outside the arena, like Snow telling Seneca Crane that a little hope is effective, but a lot of hope is dangerous.

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4. Behind the scenesSoderbergh shot the riot

   Much of the District 11 riot after Rue's death was shot by Steven Soderbergh, who served as second unit director.

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5. Behind the scenesLessons from an Olympic medalist

   For the bow scenes, Lionsgate hired Khatuna Lorig, an Olympic bronze medalist archer, to teach Jennifer Lawrence to shoot.

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