Liam Hemsworth Rates New 'Hunger Games' Director Francis Lawrence

A Hunger Games: Catching Fire movie update from http://www.mtv.com...

 Francis Lawrence is officially on board to direct the second film in the "Hunger Games" franchise, "Catching Fire." After Gary Ross parted with the box-office blockbuster last month, one of the film's stars, Liam Hemsworth, is opening about the new director, sharing that he finds the prospect of a new set of eyes on the story an exciting prospect.

"The last I heard, the new director [Lawrence] had just come on, so that's really cool," he told E! News over the weekend. "I'm excited about that. I think we shoot the last few months of this year. I'm really sad to see that Gary's not going to be part of the second one. He did such an amazing job on the first."

Hemsworth's sentiments mirror those that co-star Josh Hutcherson shared with MTV News in late April about Lawrence joining the world of the "Hunger Games." "Gary, I think, brought so much to the movie, and he created that whole world that was so close to the book and so perfect in so many ways that it's going to be hard for Francis to come in, for sure," he said. "But Francis is extremely talented, and everyone I've talked to says he's the best guy in the world, so I think he's going to bring a lot."

Hemsworth notes that while Lawrence will be new to the team, there will be plenty of people who helped shape the first film back for round two. "I think that there's still so many people a part of it that want the film to be great and care about it so much that they're not going to bring the wrong person on," he said.

Hot on the heels of those comments, screenwriter Michael Arndt is rumored to be coming on board to write the "Catching Fire" script.

The Oscar-winning writer wrote "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Toy Story 3." The Hollywood Reporter notes that while no deal has been met yet, he would have to work to get the script done for late-summer production. Previously, Ross co-wrote the script for "Hunger Games," and "Catching Fire" has already been drafted by "Slumdog Millionaire" writer Simon Beaufoy. Both worked with novelist Suzanne Collins.

Before the sequel goes into production, the original "Hunger Games" flick will be thrown into its first MTV Movie Awards gauntlet in June. The movie is up for eight popcorn statues including Movie of the Year, Best Cast and Best Kiss.

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‘Hunger Games’ Star Josh Hutcherson Returns to “Low-Key” Life

A Hunger Games: Catching Fire movie update from http://movienight.mtv.ca...

Ever since “The Hunger Games” toppled the box office earlier this year, one would think that Josh Hutcherson would find it hard to go about the life he led before the film. As it turns out, not much has changed for the laid-back 19-year-old. While there has been a lot of pandemonium around the movie, the actor himself has been mostly left alone by fans of the franchise. And he’s totally cool with it.

“I’ve changed a lot. I wear nothing but high-end designer suits. I fly private everywhere,” he joked to MTV News about his superstar status. “I haven’t changed at all.

“I was expecting it to be a huge difference and it hasn’t been, and I can’t tell you how relieved that I am,” he added. “It’s been so low-key and people who do recognize me have been awesome, cool and not crazy.”

With all the hype that has surrounded the film, Hutcherson had certain expectations for how his life would change. “I did for sure [think it would be different]. Everybody was telling me ‘It’s gonna be crazy.’ I go everywhere all the time and nobody stops me,” he said. “I’m good with what I have.”

One thing Hutcherson doesn’t seem to want to give up is his love for getting inked. “The last one I got was six months ago. I have like an anchor ship creation on my back; it’s like an old sailor Jerry tattoo kind of thing. I love that old, traditional style,” he said.

Hutcherson said he’d love to get more ink, but before he gets any full-body tattoos like Angelina Jolie, he wants to make sure it won’t interfere with his acting. “I need to have the kind of career Angelina Jolie has first,” he said. “They’re not gonna hire guys covered in tattoos. I need to make sure they hire me first.”

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Elizabeth Banks on New 'Hunger Games' Director

A Catching Fire movie update from the Hollywoodreporter.com...

Elizabeth Banks, who plays Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games, turned up at the Lucky FABB Conference, the mag's first held in Santa Monica, on Monday afternoon.
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Lucky Magazine's 'Fabb' Fashion and Beauty Blogger Conference Prepping for April 30

The all-day event featured dozens of special guests from the worlds of blogging, fashion, retail and beauty to discuss the future of fashion and style on the web. Attendees networked and foraged in fabulous suites by Michael Stars, House of Zappos, JellyPop, Miss Me, Le SportSac, Samsung and P&G products, including Covergirl, Olay and Venus.

Naturally, Banks looked appropriately chic for her appearance in a dark, shiny frock by British designer Matthew Williamson, and a pair of highly-coveted black shiny heels by Jean-Charles du Castelbajac, which she described as "a hot Mary Jane."

The disarmingly frank and funny actress  -- think Chelsea Handler without the profanity and the vodka – talked with Lucky Editor-in-Chief Brandon Holley, wearing a FABB-ulous outfit by Kelly Wearstler -- before a room packed with young, enthusiastic female bloggers. The main topic at hand: her own blog, ElizabethBanks.com.

Banks explained why she got into blogging, what her criterion is for blog items, and how she's big into aggregating and would love to showcase other bloggers' work. She’s mostly interested in bloggers with a point of view, a voice, curiosity, a sense of humor and “a little bit of girl power." No negativity, please.  Life's too short.

Her blog has fun categories like Work Stuff, Geeky Stuff, Yummy Stuff, Pretty Stuff, Silly Stuff, Good Stuff. She even has a Book Club and is currently reading The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty.

To our knowledge, Banks is definitely the first actress in the history of the Hollywood who posts photos of herself on red carpets and actually asks you to critique her looks. “Be honest. I can take it,” she tells her viewers.

Ok, so many readers did not care for those floral golf pants she wore on The Ellen DeGeneres talk show. But eveyone love-loved her bright yellow Bill Blass gown and Judith Leiber bag at the London Games premiere.

Her hair and makeup artist, Karen Adler, also writes on Banks' blog about creating her looks for special events, even detailing the products she uses on the actress; such as Kevin Murphy's Fresh Hair, Powder Puff,  Ardell individual lashes, Bare Minerals blush and Buxom gloss in a shade called "leslie."

Predictably, the topic turned to Hunger Games when one blogger asked Banks what she'd steal from Effie Trinket’s eccentric wardrobe.The actress 'fessed up that she has her eye on a pair of Effie’s flashy footwear. "Effie had some amazing gold Alexander McQueen booties that I am deservately trying to get. They're probably going to be worth money some day and that’s why they don’t want to give them to me. I’ll wear them. They probably just preserve them!"

As for the new director of the sequel Catching Fire,  Frances Lawrence, Banks observed: "I've never met Francis but he seems lovely. I like his movies and I'm excited for a new voice to be involved. It's gonna be great for the franchise and that’s really all I know."

To find out more about Lucky's FABB event, including videos news and info, check out their Facebook. Also check out their Tumblr!

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