Quentin Tarantino has recently expressed strong opinions about “The Hunger Games,” describing the franchise as a “rip off” of the 2000 Japanese film “Battle Royale.” He made these remarks during an appearance on “The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast” on November 25, 2023. The discussion revolved around the similarities between Suzanne Collins’ book series and Koushun Takami’s 1999 novel, which also centers on a dystopian competition among teenagers.
Tarantino’s Critique of “The Hunger Games”
During the podcast, Tarantino criticized the lack of acknowledgment from book critics regarding the parallels between the two works. He stated, “Stupid book critics are not going to go watch a Japanese movie called ‘Battle Royale,’ so they never called her on it.” He expressed disbelief that Takami had not pursued legal action over the similarities.
Background on “Battle Royale”
- Original Novel: Written by Koushun Takami and published in 1999.
- Film Adaptation: Directed by Kinji Fukasaku, released in 2000.
- Plot: Focuses on a government-sanctioned competition where students fight to the death.
Tarantino emphasized that “Battle Royale” ranks among his favorite films. He commented on how critics labeled “The Hunger Games” as original without recognizing its evident inspiration from the Japanese film.
Collins’ Response to Criticism
In 2011, Suzanne Collins responded to similar claims in an interview with The New York Times. She maintained that she was unaware of “Battle Royale” during the writing process of her own work. Collins stated, “At that point, it was mentioned to me, and I asked my editor if I should read it. He said: ‘No, I don’t want that world in your head.’”
The Success of “The Hunger Games” Franchise
- Sales Success: The franchise has sold millions of copies globally.
- Box Office Performance: The original film and its sequel each grossed over $400 million.
- Upcoming Release: “Sunrise on the Reaping,” a prequel film, is set to release on November 20, 2026.
This upcoming film will explore the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy, a character who becomes a critical advisor to protagonist Katniss Everdeen. The narrative occurs 24 years prior to the original series’ events during the 50th Hunger Games.
Tarantino’s Film Favorites
As the conversation progressed, Tarantino shared his top films of the 21st century, highlighting a diverse range of directors and genres, including:
- No. 20: “West Side Story” by Steven Spielberg
- No. 19: “Cabin Fever” by Eli Roth
- No. 18: “Moneyball” by Bennett Miller
- No. 11: “Battle Royale” by Kinji Fukasaku
Through this critique and his reflections on filmmaking, Tarantino continues to engage audiences with his insight into cinematic influences and originality.
