10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About 'The Hunger Games'

Gordy

If you liked “The Hunger Games” (and you probably liked “The Hunger Games), you are in luck, since the Blu-ray and DVD comes out August 18th. I’m sure you’ll watch it like 11 zillion times waiting for “Catching Fire” to come out at the end of next year, but did you know ALL The Hunger Games’ secrets? Here’s 10 things you probably didn’t know about “The Hunger Games.”

 

Suzanne Collins wrote for the Nickelodeon show “Clarissa Explains It All”

 

Before imagining a Panem world, Suzanne Collins wrote for the iconic 90’s Nickelodeon show, “Clarissa Explains It All.” Collins later wrote for “The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo,” “Generation O!”, and most recently, “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” on Nick Jr., all shows where NO ONE is controlled by the government to kill or be killed in an arena.

 

Seneca Crane’s beard took three hours of maintenance every day

 

According to actor Wes Bentley, the beard was 100% real, and a special designer worked on it three hours every morning. The beard has a Facebook page with over 27,000 fans. Strangely, Wes Bentley’s fan page has 5000 fans.

 

Josh Hutcherson voiced a character in the English version of “Howl’s Moving Castle”

 

Hutcherson was just a tween when he was cast as the voice of Markl in the English version of legendary Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki’s animated “Howl’s Moving Castle.”

 

Suzanne Collins was channel surfing when she had the idea for “The Hunger Games”

 

Collins was switching between reality TV programming and war footage, and then quote “I was tired, and the lines began to blur in an unsettling way.” She was further inspired by the Greek myth of Theseus, where 14 young people are sent to face the minotaur in a labyrinth.

 

Haymitch actor Woody Harrelson is a strict vegan

 

In scenes in where Haymitch was eating, he only is shown eating vegetables or dessert.

 

Jennifer Lawrence gave Josh Hutcherson a concussion

 

The two actors were just horsing around on set, when one of Lawrence’s kicks accidentally connected with Hutcherson’s temple, knocking him out cold. This goes to show you, don’t get kicked in the head by Jennifer Lawrence. (This is the life-advice part of this blog.)

 

Jennifer Lawrence and Paula Malcomson have played mother and daughter before

 

In a 2003 episode of “Cold Case,” Paula Malcomson played the single mother struggling to take care of her daughter, played by Jennifer Lawrence. Also, they were supposed to be homeless, so they were probably HUNGRY too. Coincidence?

 

Hair Swap

 

Liam Hemsworth and Jennifer Lawrence are both natural blondes, but had to dye their hair brown for The Hunger Games. Josh Hutcherson, a natural brunette, had to dye his blonde. According to legend, this means he has more fun now.

 

The Effie Trinket costume was so intense, Elizabeth Banks couldn’t even go to the bathroom by herself.

 

The bejeweled nails Elizabeth Banks wore as Effie Trinket took 45 minutes every morning to apply, and were so huge she couldn’t undo buttons or zippers while in her Effie costume. She had help with many everyday tasks, even getting out of her clothes to go to the bathroom.

 

Katniss is a real plant, not just a made-up name.

 

Katniss isn’t just a cute name for a literary hero, it’s also the real world name for a kind of aquatic plant in the Sagittaria genus. Guess what Sagittaria means in Latin? “Belonging to an arrow.” Yep, I just blew your mind.

 

Hunger Games Sweepstakes clue: What is the name of the Hunger Games character who famously shouts “That is mahogany?” Enter your answer in the Smosh box on the Hunger Games Sweepstakes page for an additional entry!