Rachel Zegler No J-Law, No Problem ... Fans Still Starving for 'Hunger Games'

Rachel Zegler has been a lightning rod of late -- but the fact her latest movie just came in at #1 says a lot ... including the fact people apparently want more 'Hunger Games.'

The actress plays the lead in the new prequel, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," which took the top spot at the box office this weekend with a $44 mil haul domestically ... and about $99 million worldwide. That's pretty good, considering the budget was a clean $100M.

Granted, it didn't perform as well as all of Jennifer Lawrence's previous installments -- but considering she ain't in this one, not to mention the stiff competition, this result isn't bad.

We'll see if Lionsgate wants to do more of these flicks -- while the new 'Hunger Games' film will probably land in the black, long haul, it remains to be seen if there's enough interest in the franchise at this point to warrant another entry or two.

In any case, the studio's putting a smile in the aftermath ... with Lionsgate Vice Chairman Adam Fogelson saying, "We were a little lighter domestically and a little over [projections] internationally, so we’re thrilled with the result. It’ll be a great business result for the studio."

Of course, this has also gotta be a good sign for Zegler herself ... who can apparently put asses in seats as the star of a major blockbuster. You know Disney's happy to hear that.

As we're sure you know by now, RZ has caught some flak of late over the forthcoming 'Snow White' reboot ... namely, for talking a lot of trash about the original story, etc.

Fortunately for her, she won't have to deal with that for another couple years ... it got kicked down the road for a 2025 opening -- and as they say, time (and success) heals all wounds.

As for the 'Hunger Games,' it beat out "Trolls Band Together," "Thanksgiving" and the new 'Marvels' movie ... which took a historic nosedive in return for its second week in theaters.

RACHEL ZEGLER LOS FANS SIGUEN HAMBRIENTOS DE "LOS JUEGOS DEL HAMBRE"

Rachel Zegler ha recibido algo de hate últimamente, pero el hecho de que su última película acaba de llegar al número uno dice mucho, incluyendo el hecho de que la gente aparentemente quiere más de "Los Juegos del Hambre".

La actriz interpreta a la protagonista de la nueva precuela, "La balada de los pájaros cantores y las serpientes", que se ha colocado en el primer puesto de la taquilla este fin de semana con una recaudación de 44 millones de dólares a nivel nacional y unos 99 millones de dólares en todo el mundo. Eso está muy bien, teniendo en cuenta que el presupuesto era de 100 millones de dólares.

Es cierto que no funcionó tan bien como todas las entregas anteriores de Jennifer Lawrence, pero teniendo en cuenta que ella no está en esta, por no hablar de la dura competencia, este resultado no está mal.

Veremos si Lionsgate quiere hacer más películas de este tipo: aunque es probable que la nueva entrega de Los juegos del hambre acabe en números negros a largo plazo, está por ver si la franquicia despierta suficiente interés como para justificar una o dos entregas más.

En cualquier caso, el estudio le está dando un visto bueno a las secuelas, con el vicepresidente de Lionsgate, Adam Fogelson, diciendo: "Estábamos algo lentos a nivel nacional y un poco mejor (respecto a las proyecciones) a nivel internacional, por lo que estamos encantados con el resultado. Será un gran paso comercial para el estudio".

Por supuesto, esto también tiene que ser una buena señal para la propia Zegler, que aparentemente puede llevar gente al cine como estrella de un gran éxito de taquilla. Sabes que Disney está feliz de oír eso.

Como seguro que ya sabrás, la actriz ha sido objeto de críticas últimamente por el próximo reboot de Blancanieves, en concreto, por no serle fiel a la historia original, etc.

Afortunadamente para ella, no tendrá que lidiar con eso por un par de años, ya que el proyecto fue pospuesto hasta el 2025, y como dicen, el tiempo (y el éxito) cura todas las heridas.

En cuanto a los "Juegos del Hambre", superó a "Trolls Band Together", "Acción de Gracias" y la nueva película de "Marvels", que tuvo una histórica caída en picado a cambio de su segunda semana en los cines.

Guess Who This Baby Boy Turned Into!

Before this baby sitting at his high chair turned into an actor, he was just stickin' his tongue out at his two famous parents, stepping in as president for his school's movie club and growing up in Los Angeles, California.

Making his film debut in "The Hunger Games" back in 2012, he would reprise his role the following year alongside Jennifer Lawrence in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." And, he took the lead role as Hughie on the action series "The Boys." Lately, he's been quite active on Instagram sharing his support for the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Can you guess who he is?

Jennifer Lawrence No, I Never Hooked Up With Liam Hemsworth ... Despite Miley's 'Flowers' Music Video Rumors

DENY, DENY, DENY
BRAVO

Jennifer Lawrence is puttin' a pretty juicy rumor to bed ... one that claims she was deep in an affair with Liam Hemsworth while he was still together with Miley Cyrus.

J-Law spoke her truth on Monday's "Watch What Happens Live" after host Andy Cohen asked if she had any connection to Miley's shade-filled "Flowers" music video -- one that folks believe is all about Liam cheating on Miley.

Many pointed fingers at the actress, but she's denying it all ... telling Andy she's happy to clear it all up, claiming they only smooched once and she didn't think there was any overlap between the lone kiss and his relationship with Miley.

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For those unaware, Jennifer admitted back in 2015 she planted one on Liam, jokingly saying on a past 'WWHL' episode that he's really hot, adding "What would you have done?"

In Miley's music video, some fans noticed the dress she wore looked a lot like the one Jennifer donned at "The Hunger Games" 2012 premiere, which she attended with Liam ... and there were rumors the 2 actors hooked up on set while filming that saga.

Sounds like Jennifer's up to debunk the wild theory -- may the odds be ever in her favor.

JLaw, Liam and Josh 'Hunger Games' Stars Collide with Adele

This is a fun game ... Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson eating dinner at the same restaurant as Adele. Who comes up to who?

Sadly we can't answer, but we do know they were all at the Waverly Inn Friday night in NYC.

JLaw was at Adele's concert at Radio City a few nights ago, so she's definitely a fan. But she may have played it cool. Adele's really humble so maybe she went to the Hunger table.

We give up.

Jennifer Lawrence to Aziz Ansari Ride Me, Please!!!

Jennifer Lawrence went all piggyback on Aziz Ansari Saturday on the way out of an SNL after party in NYC.

The shindig was hosted by Amy Schumer, who also hosted the show earlier in the evening.

Schumer and Lawrence have become fast friends ... they're writing a screenplay together and they'll play the role of sisters.

WE RIDE!
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Liam Hemsworth White Castle Offers $20k After Burger Puke Story

Liam Hemsworth ate 45 White Castle burgers and then vomited them up ... and now the fast food chain is offering him $20,000 to a charity of his choice ... because they were impressed. Yeah.

Liam told the story to "Jimmy Kimmel" earlier this month ... while filming "Hunger Games" he and Josh Hutcherson went to White Castle and split about 90 burgers -- only to puke them up later, due to burger overload.

A rep for White Castle tells TMZ ... it's impressed Liam could down that many burgers in one sitting and wants to induct Liam into the White Castle Hall of Fame (apparently that's a thing). Even better, WC wants to donate $20,000 to a charity of his choice.

Sorry Josh, you get nothing. Maybe some mouthwash.

'Hunger Games' Star They Killed Me Off ... But I'm Still Making Bank

"Hunger Games" star Leven Rambin got screwed out of all that sequel money -- thanks to the damn tracker jackers -- but got sweet revenge with a new gig ... that doesn't involve fighting off oversized wasps.

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'Hunger Games' Star I'm Not Jealous of J-Law ... I'm PROUD!

Josh Hutcherson says he's absolutely THRILLED that his "Hunger Games" co-star Jennifer Lawrence crushed it at the Golden Globes this weekend ... but admits he's ready to score an award of his own.

Josh was strollin' around Beverly Hills yesterday ... and told us he was "very proud" when Will Ferrell announced J-Law as the Best Actress winner for her role in "Silver Linings Playbook."

In fact, Josh says he tried to call Jen to congratulate her on the win ... but she's too sick to talk ... possibly the result of standing too close to Hugh Jackman who was BRAGGING about his flu symptoms during the GGs.

Of course, there's no real way to prove Hugh infected Jennifer -- but we're totally blaming him anyway.

Get your flu shots people.

'Hunger Games' Star Ripped to Shreds

"Hunger Games" hunk Alexander Ludwig proved he's been eating right by showing off his lean, hairless, buff body while at the beach in Hawaii on Wednesday.

May the abs be ever in your favor.

Jennifer Lawrence Hey Bro, Get Off My Ass

"Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence wearing a tiny bikini and riding a surfboard ... very hot. Realizing her brother is riding tandem behind her ... not so hot anymore.

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Jennifer Lawrence 911 Emergency On My Front Lawn

Frightening moment for "Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence yesterday -- when an underage girl collapsed on the front lawn of her L.A. apartment complex.

The Santa Monica Police Department tells TMZ ... Lawrence was out walking her dog ... when she noticed a random girl laid out on her back.

As Jennifer rushed to assist the young woman, someone in the area called 911 ... and paramedics raced to the scene.

Cops tell us ... "The young lady who collapsed was a juvenile and was part of a group that was together."

It's unclear why the young woman was in front of Jennifer's home ... but cops say, "Alcohol may have played a role in the incident."

We're told paramedics didn't feel the girl needed to be transported to a hospital -- instead, she was treated on the scene and cleared to leave.

So far, no word back from Lawrence's camp.

'Hunger Games' Star Snags Heath Ledger's $3 Million Treehouse!

First a new nose, now a new house -- "Hunger Games" star Josh Hutcherson just nabbed an incredible $3 million Hollywood Hills mansion ... previously owned by Heath Ledger.

The 1,861 sq. ft. pad -- locally dubbed the "treehouse" because of its surrounding dense foliage -- has had many celebrity owners ... including Ellen DeGeneres, who sold the place to Heath and his then-girlfriend Michelle Williams in 2005.

As we reported, the 2-bedroom 2-bath house was listed last September for $2.995 million.

It's unclear if Josh paid full price ... but seeing as the odds are ever in his favor, we doubt it.

Thanks to Zillow.com for the heads up.

Josh Hutcherson Broken Nose Mystery -- I Was Born This Way!

Josh Hutcherson's nose was BROKEN IN A CRAZY BAR FIGHT ... would have been a much cooler explanation than the one he gave us yesterday.

The "Hunger Games" star was out in Beverly Hills ... sans nose bandages ... when we asked about the mystery surrounding his messed up honker.

In case you haven't been following ... earlier this month, Josh said he underwent surgery for a "broken nose" -- but he wouldn't explain how it happened.

His rep later insisted the nose wasn't broken ... and the surgery was merely to correct a deviated septum.

WHO TO BELIEVE???

Josh finally explained himself yesterday ... and his story could finally end the mystery forever!!!

'Hunger Games' Star The Mystery of the Broken Nose

With his face bruised and bandaged up, "Hunger Games" star Josh Hutcherson was spotted leaving a doctor's office in Beverly Hills on Monday ... after suffering a mysterious injury to his nose.

Hutcherson first tweeted about the injury on May 9th ... saying, "Just had surgery to fix my broken nose" ... and later his rep told us the actor had been diagnosed with a deviated septum.

But there's one big question -- how DID the 19-year-old movie star break his nose?

Josh isn't saying ... and neither is his rep ... who told TMZ "no further details will be released."

'Hunger Games' Star Real Good Taste in Scotch But Really Fake ID (Allegedly)

"Hunger Games" star Josh Hutcherson is one heck of an actor -- 'cause the 19-year-old allegedly used a fake ID to buy really expensive booze. Anyone smell a fake ID?

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