Lionsgate taps 'Hunger Games' marketing for 'Expendables 2'

Posted Monday, May 7, 2012 at 12:06 PM Central

by John Couture

Little known fact: Lionsgate released just under 500 different onesheet posters ahead of the release of The Hunger Games in theaters. More known fact: I tend to exaggerate and pull numbers directly from that spot where the sun don't shine.

While the number of posters for The Hunger Games probably didn't hit triple digits, it was close. It seemed that not only did every district have its own poster, but every tribute and every character that spoke at least a single word in the movie. All The Hunger Games did was set the box office ablaze this Spring and give Lionsgate a much needed boost at the box office and bona fide franchise starter.

So, it's no surprise that Lionsgate is ready to go back to that marketing well one more time for their other franchise ahead of the release of its second installment. Yep, that's right, they've created character posters for all of the aging action heroes in the film.

And did I mention old? Believe it or not, Chuck Norris is 72 and he can still probably kick most people's butts in the world.

If the character posters aren't enough to get your blood pumping for the sequel to one of 2010's biggest box office surprises, then Lionsgate has a trailer for you to witness the battle for Viagra and prune juice in person. The trailer does its job to get you all lathered up in an action frenzy with slick shots of all of the action studs (and a studette) at work.

And if you're worried about Father Time putting an natural end to this franchise, Lionsgate has you covered there too. Pulling double duty this year after his success as Gale in The Hunger Games, Liam Hemsworth will resonate with the moviegoers born after World War II and maybe even draw in a female audience member or two.

With all of that said, just watch the trailer below. If for no other reason than to hear Arnie resurrect an oldie, but goodie.