BOX OFFICE: $70M Opening Day Haul For THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
Jennifer Lawrence's (X-Men: Days of Future Past) second Hunger Games film has topped the first, earning $70.5 million dollars in its debut. Analysts project a mid-$140M box office take for the YA adaptation for the entire weekend.
The film has also earned $64 million dollars internationally, giving it a current worldwide gross of $134.5M. The film's world wide box office gross should well eclipse the $200M mark by weekend's end.
"THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever. THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE is directed by Francis Lawrence, from a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy and Michael DeBruyn, and produced by Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has over 50 million copies in print in the U.S. alone. THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE opens on November 22, 2013. Lionsgate presents a Color Force/Lionsgate production."