( CNN ) -- Forget `` Harry Potter '' and `` Twilight . '' In a few months , `` The Hunger Games '' phenomenon will be taking over the pop culture world . Although it will be feeding off the tween demographic , this franchise will chew up those other guys and spit them out . But what exactly is this `` Hunger Games '' wonder that has so many folks talking months before the movie ( which just wrapped up filming earlier this month ) is even released ? Like many of the wildly successful film franchises these days , it began with a book . Suzanne Collins is the mastermind behind `` The Hunger Games '' trilogy , which has been gaining momentum over the last few months for both its suspenseful plot and overarching message about society . The plot revolves around a dystopian society where punishment for a previous rebellion has resulted in a televised event . One boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district ( there are 12 total ) are selected at random and forced to participate in the Hunger Games , where `` tributes '' must fight to the death until only one is left standing . `` The Hunger Games '' gives us a heroine named Katniss , a strong-willed and unwavering spirit , who volunteers for the games in order to spare her younger sister . Once inside the death match arena , she must get down and dirty to outlive her competitors , but there 's one slight problem . Her hot friend Peeta gets cast into the games , too . In the midst of all the slaying , Katniss finds herself embroiled in a love triangle with her longtime pal Gale , who is watching the games from his home , and Peeta , who confesses his love for her inside the arena . Katniss ' emotional turmoil of love or death makes Shakespeare 's `` Romeo and Juliet '' look like child 's play . Apparently , Collins ' twisted plot came to her one night while she was channel surfing between a competition reality show and a news program about the Iraq war . She blended the two shows and `` The Hunger Games '' was born . The first film of the franchise is slated for release on March 23 , 2012 , while the second film is already booked for November 2013 . Fans can only hope director Gary Ross does n't soften the book , because the twists and turns will make for an edge-of-your-seat thriller . At this rate , the film is set to have more passion than `` Twilight '' and more action than `` Harry Potter . '' The film has already faced some controversy . When Lionsgate announced that Jennifer Lawrence had been cast to play Katniss , both fans and critics questioned the choice , believing she was too old , too blond and too pretty to play a ruthless warrior . However , if her success in `` Winter 's Bone '' and `` X-Men : First Class '' is any indication of her range , Lawrence has the potential to nail this role and pave the way for kick-butt female heroines . The movie 's lead male stars will likely rise to instant fame , just as Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner did with `` Twilight . '' The relatively unknown actors Josh Hutcherson ( Peeta ) and Liam Hemsworth ( Gale ) will provide plenty of eye candy for the film . Other stars on the bill include Woody Harrelson ( Haymitch ) , Stanley Tucci ( Caesar Flickerman ) and Lenny Kravitz ( Cinna ) . The film was originally meant to be low budget , however the hype has pushed the movie to a nearly $ 100-million production , the Los Angeles Times reported . The cast and crew wrapped filming earlier this month after an 84-day shoot , and a recently released teaser trailer has given fans a taste of what 's to come . The hype may have escalated the budget , but the film may still exceed all expectations -- and be one lucrative franchise that reaches audiences of all ages . Now , with only a few months until the first film 's release , you still have plenty of time to pick up the book if you have n't read it . But be warned , once you finish the addictive read , you 'll probably hunger for more .
pal Gale is the mastermind behind `` Twilight '' trilogy . The plot revolves around a Gale society . One boy and One girl must fight to the death until One is left standing .