‘Hunger Games’ Book fans devour premiere

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

When it comes to predicting the big-screen success of “The Hunger Games,” the fans have spoken. Actually, make that cheered.

Hundreds of fans who won tickets to Monday’s world premiere cheered for hours before any stars arrived, screamed when they did and kept the applause going right through the film.

Based on the best- seller by Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games” stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth as teens fighting for survival in a government-controlled world that hosts annual televised games in which young participants are forced to kill their opponents. It opens in theaters March 23.

Box-office prognosticators say anticipation for “The Hunger Games” matches and may even surpass that for the “Twilight” movies.

They predict “The Hunger Games” could bring in more than $100 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend.

Some have compared the two series. Each is aimed at young adults and features a female heroine with two potential suitors. But fans say the similarities end there.

“This doesn’t focus on the love triangle,” said 22-year-old Stephanie Zatko, a “Twilight” fan whose sister-in-law convinced her to check out “The Hunger Games.” “She’s actually doing something. Bella just sits there.”

“Katniss is a stronger female,” said Alyssa Walker, 20, who read all three books in the series. “The guys are a thing, too, but she does her own thing.”