Movie News: Underland Chronicles
April 1st, 2014 by Kidsmomo
With all the hype around the Hunger Games movies, it was surely just a matter of time before Hollywood would make a film of Suzanne Collins’ other book series, The Underland Chronicles (aka the Gregor books).
Well, the big announcement has finally come: no word on the release date yet, but an adaptation of the first book in the series, Gregor the Overlander, will definitely be hitting theaters at some point in the future!
But they’d better hurry up and shoot the movie fast because Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence have been cast as the leads, Gregor and Luxa!
It certainly seems like a strange choice because the characters are 11 years old, whereas the actors are both in their 20s. But the movie studio that’s doing the adaptation addressed their casting decision in this way:
“Whenever you cast iconic book characters, there will be some backlash from the fans. It seemed a natural fit to ask Josh and Jennifer to take on the roles of Gregor and Luxa because they’re already a known quantity to Suzanne Collins’ readers. Not only that, they’re two of Hollywood’s brightest young stars who have already proven their acting chops and their appeal in the Hunger Games movies.”
Makes sense, we suppose… And we can only imagine that same logic applied to the rest of the casting, plus a few surprises:
- Woody Harrelson as Ripred
- Elizabeth Banks as Solovet
- Donald Sutherland as Vikus
- Willow Shields as Lizzie
- Sam Claflin as Henry
- Liam Hemsworth as Boots
It is quite puzzling that Liam Hemsworth was cast as Gregor’s 2-year-old sister, Boots… but we’re so excited about the film we’re willing to just go with it.
In addition, how the Underland’s fantastical creatures will be represented will be a fresh new take, a source close to the Art Director stated:
“Well, elaborate state-of-the-art computer generated creatures has already been done in movies like The Hobbit, and while hand puppets were considered, I know for a fact that they started rehearsals on interpretive dance. So, none of the fliers will actually fly, but you’ll really see them fly through the magic of imagination!”
What about you? Do you agree with the casting? Leave a comment and let us know who you would cast if you had the choice. Also, leave a comment and tell us whether you believed a single word that we said because guess what —
April Fools!
(In other words, this is all fake! Did we getcha?)
😀
— Karen and Nancy
P.S. — We do really want to see movies of this series some day. So if you’re like us, well, sorry if we got your hopes up!
80 Responses
Really, Two different post sight things?
I Can’t believe you. Your just a mean dream crusher who is mad with media power. NOT COOL!!!!
Exactly I saw this and I was literally so happy this book is like my favorite besides the hunger games. You people ar horrible my hopes were so high. But now I know to never trust this site again
1. isn’t Liam Hemsworth a boy why would he be acting a GIRL! thats like 5!! I was so exicted reading it and then I saw it I was so sad:(
i sooooo agree. I dont even get why you decided to do this in the first place. Your right. u did get my hopes up .
I
I
I
I could actually play Luxa… I have blonde hair and grey ish blue ish eyes that could easily be turned into violet with contacts and I’m ten- close enough to eleven…
You guys are mean I know this is two years four months and eight days after the fact (and it won’t let me spell a-f-t-e-r) but I would like to direct the movie I have read the series 7 times he second time in 2 days no less and I am righting a fanfic of my own but I would like to say you guys are very very mean
That is a worst joke ever got my hopes so high and now… Hahaha (boring voice) hurrah(boring voice again) Guess what?……APRILS FOOLS hahahahahaha great joke 😉
Booo
I find the fact that they didn’t write a sixth book weird and wish they had
Yeah, I know right! I really, really, really want a sixth book! The ending was just so sad with so many strings left untied, that I feel like my heart is breaking. Gregor went through so much, he grew up so much, and he’s still got so much left to do and solve that I feel like the last book is just dying for a sequel or a new, but connected, series. As a reader, I just want to shout, “Suzanne Collins can’t leave us on a cliffhanger like this!”
Anyone else feel the same?
yeah
I was so excited for it to be turned into a movie but I agree that Jen and josh would not be good as Gregor and luxa. Also Liam as boots would suck. I think he should be made as henry.
Cheese is good #Hater Alert
Whoever said the starting post is actually making it up, there is no way they couldn’t get a bunch of 11 year old actors, and they are saying it will be Jennifer Lawrence just because she was the main character in another Suzanne Collins film.
I totally agree that you are very aggravating. I was really hoping, really hoping for the the underland Chronicles movies. But it was flipping ridiculous reading all those comments.
I am ready to punch you because when I finished I actually cried and the only thing that kind of held me together is thinking that there would be a movie!!
That honestly upsets me that Liam Hemsworth plays a 2 year old female! To be honest again, I think that they should cast someone not exactly Boot’s age, but around there so it makes the books come alive a little. No offense but get rid of Liam. If the producers are reading this, GET. RID. OF. LIAM. HEMSWORTH. PLEASE.
Plus, I’ve already read all the books so Liam Hemsworth being in there as Boots just ruins my aspect of the book replacing a 2 year old, curly haired girl, to a 27 year old, Straight, dark haired male.
This is so funny. It’s also extremely horrible of you, but hey, I’d do the same thing lmao
My love the underland chronicles series.It would be great if the movie
Nope
When I read this, my heart stopped. I was thinking, “NOOO! Jennifer and Josh are way to old to be cast in this series, which happens to be one of my favorites. Then when I read that Liam would play the part of Boots, I really started to doubt if this article was genuine. (I mean really? CHRIS Hemsworth is a better choice! XD) Anyway, I’m very glad this was all a hoax.
-Luxa the Underlander
Is your name really Luxa? That’s so cool! Mine’s Henry, but I’m not a traitor working with the rats. 😀
hi
ilove these books
what are we talking about
Welp. “happy april fools day.”……. Hate you guys.
Tbh I already knew that this was fake the second I started reading it. But I am still annoyed because I love the books and for a second I actually thought that this was for real. That was before I read the cast. Liam Hemsworth as BOOTS?! You could try harder to be more persuasive. That was a HUGE giveaway.
I was so mad to see this was a joke
But I’m half happy it was because those cast members are terrible. TERRIBLE.
I love this series a lot and I’m so happy I’m not alone.
Also SPOILERS!
I’m extremely sad that Gregor had to go home on the 5th books. I literally screamed.
To describe luxa’s looks she would need to have blond short hair, piercing blue eyes, but dont make her too energetic cause that would ruin her personality. You know, for a second I actually beleived it was real lol
Oh wait scratch that luxa has violet eyes
stupid…
I am perfect to play Luxa so ya
Who will play Ares?
I would be Great as gregor (ge-go). I am light brown ,am 10 not 11,I have also read the books like a million times I just dont know how the bane would look like
This series would make a great movie.
I really wish this would be a movie. I have read the books several yrs ago when my kids were young. Hollywood is so out of touch with what they think will sell. No fresh ideas. This set of chronicles if done right and I mean if they did it right would actually be a block buster. People aren’t stupid, they want something good, original. Maybe if someone would peddle this idea to Netflix. They seem to be on top of good ideas. Just my opinion.