"Catching Fire" is catching fire. Production on the "Hunger Games" sequel began filming on Monday in Atlanta, Ga.; "Catching Fire" will later head to "the beaches and jungles of Hawaii before wrapping up in December," reports Lionsgate via press release.
Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland and Woody Harrelson all return for the sequel, with new cast additions Jeffrey Wright, Jena Malone, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amanda Plummer and Sam Claflin on board as well. Francis Lawrence will direct, replacing Gary Ross.
Here's the film's plot summary, courtesy of Lionsgate:
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.
Hoffman, one of the high-profile newcomers to the "Hunger Games" universe, jetted between the set and the Venice Film Festival last weekend, where he won a Best Actor prize for his work in "The Master."
Claflin is set to star as Finnick Odair, but he wasn't the only actor to try to for the role.
"They did [approach me]," Hedlund told MTV. "But I was working on ['On the Road'] at the time. We shot the whole film in 23 days and I was really immersed in it. I couldn't get around [to reading the 'Hunger Games' novels]."
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is set for release on Nov. 22, 2013.
