12 details from 'The Hunger Games' saga you might have missed

Gabbi ShawAug 15, 2020, 00:03 IST

Peeta's nails and the salute.Lionsgate

The very first "Hunger Games" book was released in September 2008, and the first film adaptation was released in March 2012.
It spawned two more novels, three more films, and a prequel novel that was released in 2020. It also catapulted stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth into a new level of stardom.
Across the books and films, there are many details, fun facts, and Easter eggs that even the most dedicated fan may not know.

In 2008, our world was forever changed by the release of Suzanne Collins' novel, "The Hunger Games." Now, Katniss' three-finger salute, the iconic whistle, and the phrase "May the odds be ever in your favor," are all part of the pop culture lexicon.

Though the last film came out in 2015, "The Hunger Games" is still extremely popular, and new content is still coming. Collins released a prequel novel focusing on the villainous President Snow's teenage years, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" in 2020, and it's already set to be adapted into a film.

To celebrate the 12th anniversary of "The Hunger Games" and the release of the newest novel, here are 12 details from the books and films you might have missed.

None of the names chosen by Suzanne Collins were a coincidence. Both "Katniss" and "Everdeen" have significant meanings.

"The Hunger Games" and the katniss plant. Arterra/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The saga's main villain, President Coriolanus Snow, also has a significant name. It comes from the Shakespeare play, "Coriolanus."

President Snow. Lionsgate / The Hunger Games trailer

One of the more obvious name choices is Peeta — as a bread-maker, his name is a different spelling of "pita."

"The Hunger Games." Murray Close / Lionsgate

Castor and Pollux, twins who were part of Katniss' film crew in both "Mockingjay" films, get their names from Greek mythology.

Castor and Pollux. Lionsgate

In the saga, Pollux is what's known as an avox, a criminal who has their tongue cut out leaving them unable to speak. In Latin, "vox" means voice, and the prefix "a" typically means without, which means it literally translates to "without voice."

An avox. Lionsgate

In the saga, Pollux is what's known as an avox, a criminal who has their tongue cut out leaving them unable to speak. In Latin, "vox" means voice, and the prefix "a" typically means without, which means it literally translates to "without voice."

The deadly nightlock berries that Katniss and Peeta threaten to eat get their name from two real poisonous plants: deadly nightshade and hemlock.

Nightlock. Lionsgate

The country in which all of the events takes place is called Panem, which also has roots in Roman history.

Stanley Tucci and Jennifer Lawrence in "Catching Fire." Lionsgate

As the story progresses in each film, and Katniss grows into her role as a leader, the Mockingjay pin changes from a bird facing downwards in "The Hunger Games," to a bird facing upwards spreading its wings in "Mockingjay."

Each poster. Lionsgate

As the story progresses in each film, and Katniss grows into her role as a leader, the Mockingjay pin changes from a bird facing downwards in "The Hunger Games," to a bird facing upwards spreading its wings in "Mockingjay."

Moving on from names, there are other details in the films you might've missed. In one of the first scenes that shows what life in Katniss' District 12 is like, there's an homage to a famous Depression-era photo.

The photo and "The Hunger Games." SSPL/Getty Images; Lionsgate

Moving on from names, there are other details in the films you might've missed. In one of the first scenes that shows what life in Katniss' District 12 is like, there's an homage to a famous Depression-era photo.

An eagle-eyed Twitter account noted that at a party in the Capitol that Peeta and Katniss attended in "Catching Fire," Peeta only had three nails painted — the three fingers that are used to perform Katniss' salute, a sign of rebellion.

Peeta's nails and the salute. Lionsgate

An eagle-eyed Twitter account noted that at a party in the Capitol that Peeta and Katniss attended in "Catching Fire," Peeta only had three nails painted — the three fingers that are used to perform Katniss' salute, a sign of rebellion.

Katniss' mother, Mrs. Everdeen, was played by Paula Malcomson. Malcolmson and Lawrence have played mother and daughter before, in an episode of "Cold Case."

"Cold Case." CBS

In "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," when Katniss and Peeta are about to face the crowd they enter a tunnel labeled PDL-736, which is a reference to a club in Atlanta the cast and crew used to frequent.

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." Lionsgate

In "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," when Katniss and Peeta are about to face the crowd they enter a tunnel labeled PDL-736, which is a reference to a club in Atlanta the cast and crew used to frequent.

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12 details from 'The Hunger Games' saga you might have missed

None of the names chosen by Suzanne Collins were a coincidence. Both "Katniss" and "Everdeen" have significant meanings.

The saga's main villain, President Coriolanus Snow, also has a significant name. It comes from the Shakespeare play, "Coriolanus."

One of the more obvious name choices is Peeta — as a bread-maker, his name is a different spelling of "pita."

Castor and Pollux, twins who were part of Katniss' film crew in both "Mockingjay" films, get their names from Greek mythology.

In the saga, Pollux is what's known as an avox, a criminal who has their tongue cut out leaving them unable to speak. In Latin, "vox" means voice, and the prefix "a" typically means without, which means it literally translates to "without voice."

The deadly nightlock berries that Katniss and Peeta threaten to eat get their name from two real poisonous plants: deadly nightshade and hemlock.

The country in which all of the events takes place is called Panem, which also has roots in Roman history.

As the story progresses in each film, and Katniss grows into her role as a leader, the Mockingjay pin changes from a bird facing downwards in "The Hunger Games," to a bird facing upwards spreading its wings in "Mockingjay."

Moving on from names, there are other details in the films you might've missed. In one of the first scenes that shows what life in Katniss' District 12 is like, there's an homage to a famous Depression-era photo.

An eagle-eyed Twitter account noted that at a party in the Capitol that Peeta and Katniss attended in "Catching Fire," Peeta only had three nails painted — the three fingers that are used to perform Katniss' salute, a sign of rebellion.

Katniss' mother, Mrs. Everdeen, was played by Paula Malcomson. Malcolmson and Lawrence have played mother and daughter before, in an episode of "Cold Case."

In "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," when Katniss and Peeta are about to face the crowd they enter a tunnel labeled PDL-736, which is a reference to a club in Atlanta the cast and crew used to frequent.