The fan sites weigh in - Scenes not in the book that could be suitable for the film

Adapting a beloved book for the big screen is a testy venture. If you stick too closely to the source material, you run the risk of alienating non-book fans as well as potentially working with a story that simply isn't fitting for the film format. Then again, should changes be made, filmmakers could also feel the wrath of fans desperate to keep the story intact.

Of course we want the film to do the book justice, but there's no harm in finding a happy medium. In fact, The Hob and Theresa of Down With The Capitol have narrowed it down some prime parts missing from the book that could make for fantastic big screen moments.

1) Flashback to Mr. and Mrs. Everdeen meeting (Maybe one detailing how Peeta's father was in love with Mrs. Everdeen, too.)

We think this one is important because it will shed some light on the relationship between Katniss' parents, driving home exactly why Mrs. Everdeen fell into such a deep depression after her husband died, which led Katniss to resent her and having to be the primary caregiver of her family. If we see some flashbacks between her parents, it will really show readers how in love they were and why it destroyed Mrs. Everdeen so immensely that she couldn't even pull out of the depression for her own children. (The Hob)

2) Family interviews

It'd be interesting to see the interviews with the friends and families of the final eight tribute in the arena. I'm curious to see how The Capitol interviewer spins the happenings in the arena for the audience. (Theresa)

3) Flashback to Haymitch in the games

We don't think this is likely as they will probably merely state that as the District 12 mentor, he's a previous victor, while the effects will be visible through his behavior. His back story comes into play more in Catching Fire, but it would be nice to show Haymitch as a likable person and not just the drunken, rude, brash guy that Katniss first meets. (The Hob)

"Hunger Games" will provide a feast for Lionsgate, execs say

Lionsgate executives told Wall Street analysts this morning to expect big things from "The Hunger Games", a series of four action films that the studio will release from the trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. COO Joe Drake said it was "the highest selling film we've ever had" at the Cannes Film Festival and that overseas exhibitors consider it "the movie that can change their company." Although Lionsgate wouldn't disclose its budget for the films, Drake says "Hunger Games" could become an "outsized success" for Lionsgate. The studio says it bought the rights before the books became runaway best-sellers, and it has "retained the majority of the upside" in its talent and distribution deals.

On other matters following the company's earnings report yesterday, Lionsgate says that it isn't concerned about the public's waning interest in 3D. "We never thought of 3D as a one-size-fits all solution to the movie business," CEO Jon Feltheimer says. He added that Lionsgate's recent deal to syndicate re-runs of "Mad Men" to Netflix reflects his view that Internet streaming services can be "partners, not adversaries." He hopes to "replicate these kinds of deals around the world." He also told analysts to expect financial growth over the next year at Lionsgate's struggling TV Guide Network cable channel. The company says it just renewed its carriage deal with Time Warner Cable and expects the channel to be in 80% of all pay TV homes by year end. Lionsgate says that the channel's split screen, to meld programming with a listings guide, "tarnished" it. But its new full screen version is delivering higher ratings on DirecTV and Dish Network. Feltheimer also hinted at the possibility that the channel may be sold. He told analysts to expect an announcement "in the near future" about an effort to simplify its business. Investors "will be pleased" he said.

Bekräftelse från Lionsgate [från TheHobOrg]:

We can confirm we have a deal that encompasses four (4) movies for "The Hunger Games".

When we responded back to inquire if one of the books would be split, or if there was a potential for a prequel, we received this response.

We cannot confirm any details beyond the below at this time.