Consider the spark of rebellion lit.
The teaser trailer for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"—introduced by star Liam Hemsworth—blazed onto the scene Sunday night during the 2013 MTV Movie Awards.
The nearly two-and-a-half minute clip opens with a familiar scene—the sneak peek of Katniss and Peeta taking to the Justice Building stage during their Victory Tour stop in District 11, where a deadly riot ensues. From there, director Francis Lawrence takes us behind-the-scenes of the Capitol, as President Snow and new Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee (R.I.P. Seneca Crane's beard) are conspiring.
"She's not who they think she is," President Snow says of Katniss. "She just wants to save her skin, simple as that. She has become a beacon of hope for them. She has to be eliminated."
"I agree she should die," Heavensbee says. "But in the right way at the right time. Katniss Everdeen is a symbol. You don't have to destroy her, just her image. Show her that she is one of us now. Let them rally behind that. They're going to hate her so much they might just kill her for you."
Oh, Heavensbee. You're putting on one hell of a show, indeed. But let's get to the real heat of the clip. One word: Gale.
"People are looking to you, Katniss," he tells her. "You've given them an opportunity, they just have to be brave enough to take it."
And then he kisses her! And then, boy, we can hardly say it. He gets whipped. But Katniss is there, stepping in front of evil Romulus Thread. "Go ahead," she says, as the peacekeeper aims a gun at her head. (Obviously, he doesn't make her day…)
The clip concludes back at the Snow residence, where the idea for the Quarter Quell's merciless theme is born.
"Her entire species must be eradicated," President Snow tells Plutarch.
"Her species, sir?" Plutarch responds.
"The other victors," Snow explains. "Because of her, they all pose a threat. Because of her, they all think they're invincible."
Cue the Quarter Quell!
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" hits theaters November 22, 2013. The full trailer is viewable at HungerGamesExplorer.com.
What did you think of this first look at "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter!
