‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ Begins Production (BONUS Set Visit Opportunity!)

A blockbuster in the making.

On September 10, 2012, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire began principal photography. The production intends to wrap up at the end of this year in late December. Locations will consist of areas in and near Atlanta, GA as well as the beaches and jungles of Hawaii.

Expect to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in theaters on November 22, 2013. Casting announcements have been coming in the last few weeks, and some of the more notable names that will be starring are Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Jeffrey Wright, with Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland.

Said Lionsgate’s President of Production Eric Feig, who is overseeing the production on behalf of the studio, “We are so excited to be embarking on this adventure with Francis Lawrence, who has already exhibited immense creative vision and resourcefulness in casting the film and planning its look and feel.  The stakes are raised in every way in this second story, and we are thrilled to get the production underway in these perfect locations, with our excellent returning cast and some world class actors in new roles.”

“Lionsgate has been a longtime partner of Georgia’s entertainment industry being the first production company to take advantage of our film tax incentives in 2005. The fact that they are continuing to bring productions including this high profile franchise to Georgia reaffirms their commitment to our talented crew, diverse locations and accessibility,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey.

Lionsgate is also offering a global set visit sweepstakes called “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Win a Trip to Set”. The sweepstakes will run from September 10 through October 12, 2012, and will allow 12 fans to visit the set of the film and interact with the cast and crew.

To enter, fans based in the participating territories (the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Scandinavia, Russia, Israel, and  Japan) will upload a :30 second video of  their top question for the film’s cast. Additionally, “virtual” citizens of Panem will be able to enter by playing The Hunger Games Adventures – one of the top adventure games on Facebook and coming soon to iPad.  Full rules and regulations are posted on the contest Facebook tab, and at www.catchingfiresweeps.com.