Starving, stark raving Hunger Gamers commandeered the Galleria Dallas last night, fiending for just a glimpse of Josh Hutercherson (Peeta), Isabelle Fuhrman (Clove) and Jacqueline Emerson (Foxface) - a few of the stars from the upcoming big screen adaptation of the popular book trilogy.
And the cast might as well have just showed up so everyone could stare at them for 30 minutes on that tiny stage in the middle of the Galleria ice rink -- an odd Leslie Knope-esque choice for the event. It later occurred to me that this was likely done to prevent fans from running and attacking them out of love). Because, from the combination of non-stop screaming and the acoustics of what is essentially a giant bucket, the trio could have easily have been speaking Japanese, or impersonating Charlie Brown's parents for the entire Q&A. No one would have been the wiser.
But, all in all, it was good fun for fans. A few hundred lucky ones received wristbands to meet the cast, and amongst the cosplayers and those bearing gifts (for example, one fan gave Hutercherson a loaf of bread...because his character's name is Peeta...and he's the son of a baker...get it?), the young actors looked humbled at the sight of the masses as if they were just beginning to soak in the impending impact on pop culture they have already had. And to think, the movie doesn't even come out till March 23rd and we're still due for two more adaptations. I'd say the odds are ever in their favor.
*For those of you not familiar with The Hunger Games, some say it's the next Twilight. I think it's more of a Suzanne Collins' smart, socially conscious Running Man meets "Lord of the Flies" and "1984" tale, where kids fight to the death for the entertainment of a dystopian society. Instead of sending a "true love for sparkling boys waits" message to teens, I believe HG warns upcoming generations (aka "the future") of what the world could look like if we keep heading down the dangerous path we're on. Hungry for more photos? Here you go.
