Bethlehem's Gateway Cinemas 12 Preps for 'The Hunger Games' Premiere

The curtain rises at 12:01 a.m. Friday for The Hunger Games — the long-awaited first film in a trilogy about a 16-year-old girl fighting for survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

Long lines of adoring fans of the young adult novel will no doubt form outside Carmike Cinema’s in Bethlehem the evening of Thursday, March 22.

Based on the wild success of the book, the film adaptation — co-written by The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins and directed by Gary Ross — is expected to be a smash-hit with the second film, Catching Fire, already slated for release in November 2013.

Starring the beautiful Jennifer Lawrence as the trilogy’s main character, Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games also features teen heartthrobs Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, as well as veteran performers Stanley Tucci and Wes Bentley. Advance tickets are now available at Gateway 12 — but hurry Hunger Games fans, more than half of the seats in the BigD theater have already been sold. For more information, call the box office at 770-791-0191.

While no special plans have been made for the premiere — beyond the movie showing itself — Gateway Cinemas 12 is featuring a Bucket Combo through the month of March. With purchase, Carmike’s annual bucket can be combined with a large drink for just $21, two medium drinks for just $22 or two large drinks for just $24. The annual bucket can then be refilled upon subsequent visits for only $3.50.

Are you a fan of The Hunger Games trilogy? Who's your favorite character? Tell us in comments.

Check back every Tuesday for a new City Spotlight on one of two great Barrow County towns — Bethlehem and Carl.