'The Hunger Games 3: Mockingjay Part 1' Cast, Trailer, Release Date, Tickets & Soundtrack: Everything You Need to Know

Staff
Nov 21, 2014 08:01 AM EST

The Second Rebellion begins.

On Nov. 21, big screens will welcome the third installment of the dystopian franchise "The Hunger Games." Based on the best-selling trilogy of American author Suzanne Collins, the third film is titled "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1," continuing the story of Katniss Everdeen and her pursuit of saving a nation from extreme government oppression.

For those unfamiliar with the series, you've come to the right place. We've covered every essential thing you need to know before stepping a foot on the arena -- theaters, we mean -- and proclaim yourself Victor of knowing all things Panem. Ready? Read on.

'The Hunger Games'

The first book in Collins' trilogy, "The Hunger Games" is set in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem, a region of the world once known as North America. Panem is headed by a governing Capitol, which oversees the industry and "welfare" of thirteen outlying districts.

District 1 - Luxury

District 2 - Masonry

District 3 - Technology

District 4 - Fishing

District 5 - Power

District 6 - Transportation

District 7 - Lumber

District 8 - Textiles

District 9 - Grain

District 10 - Livestock

District 11 - Agriculture

District 12 - Mining

District 13 - Graphite & Nuclear Science

Since then, the Capitol has been blamed for its oppressive nature -- leading to the first rebellion more commonly known as "The Dark Days." During this period, all districts rose up against the Capitol, but failed to overthrow the latter's power in the process. District 13 (which plays a major role in the third book) was supposedly obliterated, leaving other districts believe that it was gone in the ashes forever.

Following the climactic battle won by the Capitol, it was decreed that the remaining districts will have to pay the price of their deed. The solution found was "The Hunger Games," an annual, reality game show that reaps one man and woman from each district, between the ages of 12 and 18, prepped to fight one another in a specialized arena until death -- a lone victor remains.

Katniss Everdeen's (Jennifer Lawrence) story begins 74 years from the time of the Games' enactment. She volunteered to fight in the Games to save her sister Primrose (Willow Shields), who was initially reaped. Katniss represents District 12, along with other "Tributes."

Katniss is skilled in the use of bow and arrows. She undergoes extensive training, live TV interviews and other public appearances (such as the Tribute Parade) in the Capitol before stepping into the arena. She fights alongside District-mate Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), whose notable skill lies in strength and camouflaging.

Tributes rise into the arena from a lifting pedestal, circling a giant Cornucopia which houses everything that provides life in the games -- food, weapons and medicine, among others. The game begins after countdown.

Fighting ensues until Katniss and Peeta remain. Ultimately, they will have to kill each other. But Katniss had the idea of tricking the Capitol in their cooked-up love story; both attempted suicide through poisoned berries, claiming neither can live without the other. The Gamemaker stops them and declares them as Victors. However, President Snow (Donald Sutherland), leader of the Capitol, wasn't convinced.

'Catching Fire'

The story unfolds with President Snow warning Katniss that "others" have thought of her suicide plot not as an act of love but rebellion. He warns Katniss to convince him (and the districts) that it was all out of love; otherwise, worse things would happen. Katniss and Peeta ride their Victory Tour and eventually called for an engagement. President Snow congratulates them -- but it appears he still wasn't convinced.

Later on, President Snow declared the Third Quarter Quell, a special season of the Hunger Games. This time, Tributes were reaped from the existing pool of Victors, leaving Katniss with no choice but participate. However, the game was all but conjured -- Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee (the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman) was one of the proponents of a second rebellion, revealing later in the story that the plan was always to get Katniss out. Apparently, she has been the symbol of the rebellion: the "Mockingjay."

The Third Quarter Quell (75^thHunger Games) lasted for only three days, among the shortest-ever in Panem's history. At the end of it, Katniss and Beetee Latier (Jeffrey Wright) were rescued by a hovercraft flying to District 13. This part of the movie reveals that the nuclear district has not vanished, but formed its own government under the earth's safety.

'Mockingjay'

The film adaptation of "Mockingjay" is divided into two parts; the second installment arrives Nov. 20 next year, wrote Cinema Blend. The current film casts Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland and Natalie Dormer.

The video clips below are official trailers for all three movies of "The Hunger Games" franchise. Official soundtrack titles follow. Extended trailers, excerpt clips and more can be found here.

Seeing "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1?" Grab your tickets here!

"The Hunger Games" (2012) Trailer