The film is based on the first part of Mockingjay , the third novel in the underlying book trilogy by Suzanne Collins. In the film, Katniss Everdeen Lawrence joins Alma Coin Moore , the renegade leader of the underground District 13, in a mass rebellion against the Capitol. Development on a third Hunger Games film was announced in May , after Lionsgate announced Collins' novel would be split into two parts. Lawrence was confirmed to return to direct the final two installments that November, which would be filmed back-to-back.
Most of the main cast was rounded out by September when principal photography began, lasting until June , with filming locations including Boston , Atlanta , Los Angeles , Paris , and Berlin. The film faced controversy after its content was used in political protests in and The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its acting, music, and political subtext, but criticism for its pacing and the decision to split the novel into two films.
After being rescued from the destroyed arena in the 75th Hunger Games, [ a ] Katniss Everdeen , Beetee , and Finnick Odair are taken to District 13 , an underground district isolated from Panem that has been spearheading the rebellion. Katniss is reunited with her mother and sister Prim and is introduced to President Alma Coin , the rebel leader. Katniss is told that her arrow destroying the forcefield led to riots in over half the districts, joining District 13 in the rebellion, which caused President Snow to bomb District 12 in retaliation.
Coin asks her to become the "Mockingjay"βa symbol of the rebellionβas part of a " hearts and minds " strategy. Katniss reluctantly agrees after seeing Peeta being manipulated on state television to quell the rebellion. She visits the ruins of District 12, her old house somehow untouched with white roses from President Snow inside.
Katniss meets her film team and is given Effie Trinket as a stylist and her close friend Gale as a bodyguard. They travel to District 8 where Katniss is filmed being saluted by dozens of wounded civilians at a hospital; Snow, seeing the footage, orders an airstrike at the hospital, killing everyone inside. The crew films Katniss and Gale shooting down two Capitol hovercraft and Katniss' rage-filled threatening speech, inspiring loggers in District 7 to revolt against the Capitol.
