Yet Another 'The Hunger Games' Clip, Not That We're Complaining - Goodbye, Katniss

After months — really years — of waiting, The Hunger Games are almost here. And with positive early buzz (including Germain's glowing review) just adding to the hype, the Lionsgate marketing machine is heading into the final push with yet another Hunger Games clip. Following a previously released scene which saw Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) making his very public move on Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), the new clip explores the bond between longtime pals Katniss and Gale (Liam Hemsworth) as they say their farewells before she heads into the Games. Watch it after the jump.

[via THR]

At least Lionsgate seems to be keeping things pretty even between Team Gale and Team Peeta.

In all seriousness, I've been relieved to hear that the film doesn't play up the teenage love triangle subplot nearly as much as some of the early marketing did. Because while interpersonal relationships are important to our heroine, they take secondary priority to her struggle to, y'know, survive the annual government-mandated death match, and that's as it should be.

Also starring Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, and Elizabeth Banks, Gary Ross' adaptation of Suzanne Collins' YA novel hits theaters this Friday, March 23.

Synopsis:

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel, the first in a trilogy published by Scholastic that has over 16 million copies in print in the United States alone, has developed a massive global following.