Three Key Differences Between the Catching Fire Book and Movie Versions

By Laura Beck | August 9, 2013 | 2:30am

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Although Catching Fire director Frances Lawrence says that the movie is “very, very true to the book,” he admits there are a few changes. After all, the movie can’t be ten hours long. (OR COULD IT? I’d like to see that director’s cut, please.) Obviously, spoilers ahead. Delicious, delicious spoilers.

So, what’s missing? Well, for one thing, Peeta can swim. No more freaking out at the podium when he’s thrust up and into the ocean. Lawrence says they “manned him up a little” — and being able to swim is part of his manification.

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The movie is also losing Bonnie and Twill, the District 8 refugees living in Katniss’ dad’s hunting cabin who tell her about District 13. The movie has a new way of introducing District 13, which Lawrence said was “fun” to come up to. Please give all guesses below as to what it could be! (Zombie apocalypse would be obvious/hot choice.)

And finally:

3) Darius, we hardly know ye. District 12′s youngest peacekeeper, who pays dearly for intervening during that terrible scene of Gale’s public whipping, didn’t make the jump from page to screen. It’s another instance of storytellers having to drown one of their kittens. “It’s as agonizing for us to lose things from the book as it is for a fan,” says producer Nina Jacobson. “I want every single thing in there. But you know what? If you have to give up something in order to give more time to Katniss and Gale or to Effie as she starts to feel a conscience, you make the sacrifices in order to serve the characters and themes that are more essential.”

Oooh, watching Effie grow a conscience should be a good time — but I am not looking forward to Cinna getting it. Ugh, I can’t even think about it! I hope they change that, too — I just want everyone to live and be happy forever. Even President Snow — he is redeemable! (JK, choke that bastard with a rose.)

[Entertainment Weekly]