'Hunger Games' Quick Studies: All You Need To Learn About Katniss Everdeen and much more

The countdown is on until March 23, when 'The Hunger Games' -- Suzanne Collins' best-selling youthful adult thriller -- hits theaters. Should you haven't seen the awesome trailer or read the three chart-topping books, you might not understand what the 'The Hunger Games' is all about it is not only probably the most anticipated releases of 2012 but it is set being the following Large Movie Franchise. Quite simply, this is actually the latest page-to-screen series having a hardcore built-in following that's stirring up teen and adult fans right into a veritable craze. This is a handy primer of what you ought to know to organize for that giant screen adaptation from the popular series. Watch a clip now WHAT'S IT ABOUT? The dystopian thriller happens inside a bleak, publish-apocalyptic future, where The United States -- now known as Panem -- continues to be split into 12 Districts that serve the controlling Capitol. Throughout a morbid public lottery, 16-year-old huntress Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) takes her 12-year-old sister's spot to compete inside a public fight-to-the-dying contest that starts her against 23 other teens, including her fellow District 12 "Tribute" Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Because they train to compete within the titular Hunger Games, it's apparent their developing friendship reduces remarkable ability to kill one another when it comes to. But regardless of their feelings, they're going to have to live the 22 Tributes using their company Districts revisit home. WHO'S WHO Within The CAST The remarkably large cast is brought by Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. The 3 most significant males in Katniss' existence are her closest friend Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth, Miley Cyrus' on-and-off-camera love in 'The Last Song'), her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta (Josh Hutcherson, from 'The Children Are Okay,A 'Bridge to Terabithia' and 15 other movies), and her frequently-drunk Hunger Games mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woodsy Harrelson). Other important cast people include Elizabeth Banks as Capitol representative Effie Trinket Lenny Kravitz as Katniss' personal stylist Cinna Paula Malcomson as Katniss' mother Stanley Tucci because the Hunger Games' host Caesar Flickerman and Oscar champion Jesse Sutherland as Panem's Leader Snow. Which does not even include all the 22 other Hunger Games Tributes! Jennifer Lawrence on Katniss Everdeen: 'Her Face Can't Be Badass' THE VIOLENCE Is Going To Be INTENSE The Hunger Games is definitely an annual public fight towards the dying between 24 adolescents aged 12-18. You will find 24 "Tributes" -Body boy and something girl from all of Panem's 12 Districts -- who must compete each year for that amusement from the Capitol so that as a indication from the energy the central city holds over its Districts. Think 'The Running Man' meets 'Battle Royale' by means of CBS' hit reality show 'Survivor.' Once when it comes to (the delicately controlled battleground), the Tributes have one goal: to become the final one standing. Which means lots of teen-on-teen murder (hands-to-hands and weapons based, as well as the help of the harmful Arena), because ultimately, there might be just one victor. It Isn't Right For Kids Yes 'The Hunger Games' series is released by Scholastic, but it is certainly for youthful adult visitors -- a.k.a. middle-schoolers or mature tweens. Good Sense Media rates the 3 books as well as for children 12 & up, the like the giant screen the PG-13 film is going to be even more complicated for more youthful fans to process. Even some teens are extremely responsive to handle all the kid-on-kid killing, so consider yourself cautioned. The Offer Using The FIRE You may be wondering exactly what the deal is with the fire within the movie's trailer, key art and posters. Let's explain, although it is a SPOILER: When Katniss and Peeta are brought to Hunger Games audiences within the Tribute Parade, they are putting on ensembles custom-designed by Cinna to represent their District's primary industry: coal mining. The costumes are form-fitting black "unitards" included in synthetic fire, making Katniss and Peeta absolutely memorable in the first moment they are seen. Katniss will be named "The Lady Who Had Been Burning.Inch For the bird emblem, it is a "Mockingjay" -- a hybrid between your mockingbird and also the imaginary "jabberjay," an inherited mutation the Capitol unleashed to get rid of the mockingbird. It is a metaphor for the Capitol can't control as well as the gold pin Katniss' friend gives her to put on throughout the Games. Take A Look At 'The Hunger Games' District Buying and selling Cards This Isn't LIKE 'TWILIGHT' OR 'HARRY POTTER' Although everybody (including us!) loves evaluating this area-office potential and recognition of 'The Hunger Games' towards the worldwide phenomena of 'Twilight' and 'Harry Potter,' the 3 tales aren't anything alike -- aside from the truth that they cope with remarkable teens conquering harmful conditions. The Lady burning doesn't have miracle such as the Boy Who Resided and no requirement for saving like "The Lady Stunned by Vampires of the underworld." Pay attention to Taylor Swift's 'Hunger Games' Song 'Safe and Sound' There Is A LOVE Triangular OK, so there's one tiny-small way 'The Hunger Games' mirrors the 'Twilight' saga: there is a trilogy-lengthy love triangular between your beautiful protagonist and 2 worthy suitors, among whom is her closest friend. Katniss' two swoon-worthy prospects: her fellow hunter and close friend Gale and her fellow Hunger Games contestant Peeta, who's been privately smitten together with her for a long time. Who she'll finish track of we'll never tell, but let us just the fan divide between Team Gale and Team Peeta is really as fierce as Team Jacob versus. Team Edward. In either case, they are both amazing (and gorgeous) men. You Will See TWO SEQUELS It isn't a spoiler to verify that Katniss survives the titular Hunger Games in the end, what protagonist dies within the first story of the series? The 2nd installment, 'Catching Fire,' introduces the crowd to greater than a dozen new figures, the majority of whom are veteran Hunger Games children who can't wait to satisfy the competitor from District 12. Fantasy Casting: Who Should Star in 'Catching Fire'? IT'S Easier To See Clearly, THAN View It If you want to be prepared for the March 23 premiere, start reading through the Scholastic book series now. It's not-put-lower-able, and when you begin reading through about Panem, a brief history from the Hunger Games, and Katniss and Peeta's ordeal when it comes to, you won't stop until you've blazed through 'Catching Fire' and 'Mockingjay.' One tip -- buy or borrow the 3 books at the same time, which means you don't finish up anxiously running towards the nearest Barnes & Noble for the following installment. Take A Look At MORE PHOTOS FROM 'THE HUNGER GAMES' #america online-photo-gallery .pictures .america online-photo-gallery .photos .gallery-headline a .america online-photo-gallery-fullscreen .photos .gallery-headline a 'The Hunger Games' Character Posters See All Moviefone Art galleries » (Photos thanks to Lionsgate.) Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook