'Hunger Games: Catching Fire': Katniss, Peeta in character posters

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Lenny Kravitz as Cinna in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Jena Malone as Johanna Mason in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Jeffrey Wright as Beetee in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in a poster for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lionsgate)

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in a scene from "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Murray Close / Lionsgate)

Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Murray Close / Lionsgate)

Director Francis Lawrence (center) with Liam Hemsworth (left) and Jennifer Lawrence (right) on the set of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Murray Close / Lionsgate)

New character posters for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” are out, heralding the return of victors Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), as well as revealing a glimpse of some new and returning characters.

“Catching Fire” is the second installment in a planned quartet of films based on the bestselling young adult book trilogy by Suzanne Collins; the third book, “Mockingjay,” will be split into two movies.

The story follows heroine Katniss, a teenager forced to fight other starving children in a televised battle to the death for the enjoyment of wealthy spectators in Panem, a post-apocalyptic version of North America. The first film in the franchise — last March’s “The Hunger Games” — earned more than $686 million at the worldwide box office. The second book picks up after Katniss’ victory, when a twist of fate (or, rather, twist of the knife by Panem’s cruel overlords) lands her back in the battle arena.

(Lionsgate)

The posters were released on Capitol Couture – a fictional publication based on the fashion-conscious Capitol of Panem in the book, and a rather clever marketing tactic on Lionsgate’s part. The portraits are styled like oil paintings, and many of the characters are clad in haute gowns and dapper suits; Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) is wearing Alexander McQueen, and Katniss (the only character standing instead of seated) dons a feathery white dress that looks more swan than mockingjay.

In addition to Katniss, Peeta and Effie, posters have been released for Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) and Beetee (Jeffrey Wright).

Click through the gallery above for a peek at the posters and photos Lionsgate has released for the film so far.

“Catching Fire,” directed by Francis Lawrence (“Water for Elephants,” “I Am Legend”), hits theaters Nov. 22.

– Noelene Clark
Twitter.com/@NoeleneClark

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