What Happened In 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'? Recap Before 'Mockingjay Part 1' Premiere
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 1” hits theaters on Friday, Nov. 21, about a year after the release of the first “Hunger Games” sequel, "Catching Fire." Since then fans have been treated to a bevy of clips and teasers to get them ready for the third installment in the franchise. Before viewers take the journey with Katniss to District 13, catch up on where we last left the characters of Panem.
“Hunger Games: Catching Fire” began after Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) defied the rules of the games by coming out as the two sole survivors. In doing so, Katniss became an unwitting symbol for rebellion against the Capitol.
To quiet this impending revolution, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) announced the “Quarter Quell,” an amendment to the rules of the Hunger Games that’s allowed every 25 years. By putting the Mockingjay back in the games, the secret rebellion, which apparently has been going on in the background this entire time, kicked into full swing as an elaborate escape plan was set in motion by the underground rebels. “Catching Fire” ends [SPOILER ALERT] with Katniss figuring out the plan that’s been going on around her and destroying the force field keeping the victors in the arena. She’s airlifted to safety and learns that Haymitch (Woody Harrleson), Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) and many others had been planning her escape for a while. After her actions in the first movie, she has become a symbol that people can rally around for a revolution against Snow. She was kept in the dark because it was too dangerous for her to know with the president watching her so closely.
Katniss attacks Haymitch when she learns that he wasn’t able to rescue Peeta, who was captured by the Capitol, along with Johanna Mason (Jena Malone). Her reaction is so fierce that Plutarch is forced to sedate her. When she wakes up she sees Gale (Liam Hemsworth), who informs her that, while her family is safe, an all-out rebellion began after the Quarter Quell. President Snow abandoned the veil of secrets and firebombed District 12 into oblivion as a punishment for the Girl on Fire's actions. The two then fly off to take refuge at District 13 just before the credits roll.
According to Suzanne Collins' novels, District 13 is where Panem’s nuclear arsenal was developed and stored. However, at some point the Capitol was forced to destroy it and its citizens. How then are the refugees from District 12 on their way there? Excellent question -- one that fans will have to wait until they see “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” in order to answer.
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