The wait is over: the first full-length trailer for The Hunger Games premiered this morning (a teaser clip aired on the VMAs in September). Based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling trilogy and set in a post-apocalyptic world, The Hunger Games is poised to follow the blockbuster success of book-to-movie franchises Harry Potter and Twilight.
Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen, who is one of 24 teenage “tributes” sent into a fight-to-the-death game that is televised across her home country of Panem. This trailer traces Katniss’ steps from hunting in the woods of her home, District 12, to the moments before she enters the game. It also features glimpses of Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks in their roles.
While the trailer faithfully translates the book to the big screen, viewers unfamiliar with the series may be confused about what they are watching. It shouldn’t matter, though – they have four months to catch up. The Hunger Games hits theaters on March 23, 2012.