Veteran actor Donald Sutherland, known for his roles in "MASH," "Ordinary People," and "The Hunger Games," has died at age 88. His son, Kiefer Sutherland, announced the news, praising his father's prolific career and passion for acting. Sutherland's career spanned nearly 150 films and over 40 television roles, earning him an Honorary Academy Award in 2017. He is survived by his wife Francine Racette and five children.
Acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland has died at the age of 88 after a long illness, as confirmed by his talent agency and his son, Kiefer Sutherland. Known for his roles in "The Hunger Games," "MASH," and many other iconic films and TV shows, Sutherland leaves behind a legacy of diverse and memorable performances. He is survived by his wife, five children, and four grandchildren.
Original Suits stars Patrick J. Adams and Sarah Rafferty are set to host a rewatch podcast discussing each episode and sharing behind-the-scenes stories, while Game Show Network announces reboots of Tic Tac Dough and Beat the Bridge. Additionally, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes will stream exclusively on Starz, Korean political drama Uncle Samsik will debut on Hulu, the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards is set for January 5, 2025, and a standalone episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with John Mulaney will premiere on Netflix. Apple TV+ has released a trailer for Jane Season 2.
Jennifer Lawrence and Lenny Kravitz, stars of "The Hunger Games," had a reunion at the 2024 Golden Globes, where they posed for photos together. Both were nominated for awards, but lost to other nominees. The franchise recently returned to theaters with a prequel, and Kravitz expressed surprise at how the series continues to resonate with fans, as he still gets recognized as his character, Cinna, more than a decade after the character's demise.
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" will be released on premium video on demand and premium electronic sell-through on December 19th. The film, based on the Suzanne Collins novel, is a prequel that focuses on Panem's President Snow and his involvement in the 10th annual Hunger Games. It will be available to buy for $24.99 and to rent for $19.99 on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. The film has already earned over $300 million worldwide and is currently playing in theaters.
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes," the prequel to "The Hunger Games" franchise, is now available to stream at home starting December 19. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film follows the rise of future President of Panem Coriolanus Snow as he falls in love with a tribute from District 12 during the 10th Hunger Games event. The movie can be rented or purchased in 4K Ultra HD on Prime Video and other video-on-demand platforms.
Lionsgate has announced that "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" will be released on digital platforms in the U.S. on December 19. The film, based on Suzanne Collins' prequel novel, will be available for purchase or rental on participating platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV. The star-studded cast includes Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, and Viola Davis. The movie has received mixed reviews and has made over $300 million at the box office globally.
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" continues to dominate the Thanksgiving box office, outpacing new releases like Disney's "Wish" and Apple and Sony's "Napoleon." Despite lukewarm reviews, the "Hunger Games" prequel is projected to have a 40% drop over the three-day weekend, while "Wish" falls behind expectations. Sony's "Napoleon" is performing slightly better than projected, but its $200 million production budget may hinder its success. Universal's "Trolls Band Together" and the slasher film "Thanksgiving" round out the top five.
Disney's animated film "Wish" is facing tough competition from Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" and Apple Original Productions' "Napoleon" at the Thanksgiving box office. While "Wish" is underperforming, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is showing resilience in its second week and "Napoleon" is exceeding initial estimates. Despite the competition, recent animated films have shown staying power. "Wish" is projected to earn $35 million, while "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is expected to make $42 million. "Napoleon" is set to gross $33 million. The Thanksgiving period is expected to result in ticket sales of $190 million, the highest since the pandemic but still lower than the record set in 2018.
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is set to surpass expectations and earn $42 million over the Thanksgiving weekend, potentially taking the No. 1 spot at the box office. Meanwhile, Disney's "Wish," which was expected to top the charts, has seen its estimates drop to $33.5 million. Sony/Apple's biopic "Napoleon" is also in the running, projected to open with $33 million. The mixed reception for "Napoleon" and the strong performance of "The Hunger Games" may indicate a shift in audience preferences.
Director Francis Lawrence discusses the success of The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, praising the strength of Suzanne Collins' source material and the performances of Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler. Lawrence expresses interest in making a fifth Hunger Games film if Collins provides a story outline. He also talks about developing Constantine 2 with Keanu Reeves and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, and shares his thoughts on splitting movies into two parts.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, a prequel to The Hunger Games series, is filled with references and Easter eggs that connect to the original books and movies. From clothing choices to character names, the movie pays homage to its predecessors. Fans have spotted connections such as similar dresses worn by Lucy Gray and Katniss, the presence of katniss plants, and the use of iconic lines like "May the odds be ever in your favor." These references add depth and nostalgia to the prequel while tying it to the beloved franchise.
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" dominates the domestic weekend box office, earning $44.0 million in ticket sales and an additional $54.5 million internationally, bringing its global total to $98.5 million. This prequel to "The Hunger Games" trilogy follows a young Coriolanus Snow as he strives to restore his family's name. "Trolls Band Together" debuts in second place with $31.7 million in North America, while "The Marvels" drops 78% in its second week, earning $10.2 million. "Thanksgiving" and "Five Nights at Freddy's" round out the top five.
Lionsgate's prequel film "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" opened in third place at the Chinese box office, earning only $4.6 million. This continues the trend of underperformance by U.S. franchise films in the Chinese market. The film has received mixed reviews from Chinese audiences and is projected to earn around $7 million in total. Other U.S. franchise films, such as Disney's "The Marvels," have also struggled in China. Chinese films "Who's the Suspect" and "Be My Family" took the top two spots at the box office.
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" debuted at No. 1 at the box office, earning $44 million in North America and $98.5 million worldwide. "Trolls Band Together" took the second spot with $31.7 million domestically. "The Marvels" suffered a significant drop in its second weekend, earning an additional $10.2 million. Sony's R-rated horror film "Thanksgiving" opened with $10.2 million domestically. "Five Nights at Freddy's" remained in the top five with an additional $3.5 million.
