Changes were made to the “Mockingjay” plot in the first installment of the two part ending, but not in the way you’d expect.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Francis Lawrence explained the production took the opportunity to add scenes showing what could have taken place during a confusing time for Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence).
[Warning: this article contains spoilers]
“Instead of changing the plot and changing characters what we did was have the opportunity to show scenes that could have been happening at different times in the book,” Lawrence told EW. “For us it’s world expansion instead of changing things. I think it’s exciting for the fan to see certain things. So we’ve been able to open the world up in this and see some new places. We get to see some new districts this time and the scope gets quite large.”
Lawrence added the production also wanted to expand on President Alma Coin’s (Julianne Moore) storyline. Little is known about Coin in the novels, but Katniss greatly distrusts her. Katniss has very little reason to trust in authority, as President Snow has made it clear to her people with power will use it to their advantage.
Katniss is also dealing with losing Peeta to the Capitol and trying to make sense of the situation. She was taken to District 13 against her will and has become a symbol for the Rebellion, even though she never wanted to take on the responsibility. Her desire to save her younger sister Primrose was what motivated her into entering The Hunger Games.
“It’s a very confusing, conflicted, complicated time for Katniss,” Lawrence explained. “Having gone through the games one more time and having lost Peeta and having been run through the wringer, she’s even more damaged. So you find her in a more agitated place. She’s distraught, confused, angry.”
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” is slated to hit theaters on Nov. 21.
