The fourth and final film in the blockbuster Hunger Games series – a dystopian fantasy saga that turned Jennifer Lawrence into one of Hollywood's biggest stars – is finally here.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 brings to a close one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood, which has already grossed more than US$2.2 billion (Dh8.08bn) worldwide.
Lawrence – who at the age of 25 is already an Oscar winner and the world’s highest paid actress – said that it is strange to be saying farewell to the character that catapulted her to fame.
"I think it will be pretty bizarre when the movie is finally out and ... everything is officially done," said Lawrence, who took home a best actress Academy Award in 2013 for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook. "This movie has been my life for so many years."
Hollywood veteran Donald Sutherland, who plays the tyrannical President Snow, said he hopes The Hunger Games has given youngsters the world over hope for the future.
“The intent of this – for [author] Suzanne Collins, for me, everyone, actually, who was involved in this project – is that it would be a catalyst for young people all over the world, everywhere,” he said at the film’s world premiere in Berlin this month. “That they would see in it their doom, and the possibility for a decent future.”
The Los Angeles premiere of the film on Monday was scaled back as a mark of respect in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Paris, with no interviews.
Parts of the movie were filmed in Paris and Berlin. While the cast did not speak, they all wore Mockingjay ribbons bearing the French flag. “Our hearts are with you France, where we have so many amazing fans,” actress Elizabeth Banks, who plays Effie Trinket in the movie, tweeted before the premiere.
In the German capital this month, Lawrence said she had been personally inspired by Katniss.
“She is kind, she is ruthless, she is independent-minded. She is strong but merciful,” she said. “I wish that I could have a percentage of her courage and thoughtfulness. She inspires me in every way.”
