By: Kelly West

One of the things I regret not getting around to doing when The Hunger Games hit theaters was seeing it on an IMAX screen. While our own Katey Rich made a good point about the shaky camera style and emphasis on close-ups likely preventing the film from really benefiting from an IMAX screen, I can’t help but think that the futuristic world of Panem and the lush setting of the arena in which the “Games” took place were probably quite a sight on the giant screen. As I’m especially excited to see how the setting of Catching Fire looks on the big screen, I may have to make it a point to get to an IMAX theater for the follow-up when it releases into theaters November 2013. It looks like we’ll all have the opportunity to do that.

The Hollywood Reporter posted the news today that Imax will release Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on November 22, 2013, the same day the sequel arrives in regular theaters. The film is set to be digitally remastered to fit the IMAX format, however from what the Reporter says, director Francis Lawrence will shoot some scenes using IMAX cameras, so those who see the film that way may be in for a real treat, there.

(Very vague spoilers ahead…)

While The Hunger Games had Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteering to replace her sister in a government set fight-to-the-death arena battle against other kids in the futuristic nation of Panem, Catching Fire brings Katniss back to the arena for the Quarter Quell, a special version of the Games, which celebrates the 75th anniversary of the morbid affair by bringing former winners (survivors) back into the arena for an all-star fight to the death. The arena is different from the setting of The Hunger Games, so in addition to anticipating the new cast members set to join the sequel, it should also be interesting to see how the follow-up creates the life-size game board on which the new(ish) set of tributes will “play” and attempt to survive.

Source: Cinema Blend