Suzanne Collins "Hunger Games" books were printed in North America alone. "The Hunger Games" was on "The New York Times" Best Seller list for more than 60 weeks in a row. Lions Gate Entertainment acquired worldwide distribution rights to a film adaptation of "The Hunger Games", produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force production company. Collins adapted the novel for film herself. Directed by Gary Ross, filming began in late spring 2011, with Jennifer Lawrence portraying main character Katniss Everdeen. Josh Hutcherson played Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth played Gale Hawthorne. The subsequent two novels were adapted into films as well, with the
Katniss Everdeen family alive. The next day, she had the courage to venture out into the woods, where she later teamed up with Gale to hunt for food for their families. After Katniss and Peeta have been selected and said goodbyes to their families, they are whisked away by Haymitch Abernathy (the only living District 12 Victor, extreme drunkard, and mentor to all former District 12 tributes) and Effie to the high-speed train that awaits them. During the train ride, Katniss tries to separate from Peeta, knowing she has to kill him in the arena. When they arrive in the Capitol, Katniss