Target Will Sell A Limited Edition Collection Of High-End ‘Hunger Games’ Merchandise

Calling all fans of The Hunger Games, get ready to empty out your wallets because Target will be selling a limited edition collection of high-end items inspired by the film. Just how “high-end” you may ask? Well, if you would like to own the 14-karat gold reproduction of Katniss Everdeen‘s Mockingjay pin, it’ll put you back $1000. A signed lithograph with autographs by Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth will cost you $700. The reproduction of Katniss‘s leather jacket will only cost you $350. Have you been saving your pennies?

To sell more DVDs and Blu-rays, retailers long have lured customers into their stores with exclusives. But for the homevideo launch of “The Hunger Games,” Target hopes to hit the bullseye by going high end. It will sell a 14-carat gold reproduction of Katniss Everdeen’s Mockingjay pin for $999, a replica of her leather hunting jacket for $349 and a lithograph signed by pic’s cast, including Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson, for $699. All three will only be available on Target’s website, beginning midnight Aug. 18, with only 100 of the pins and lithographs, and 100 jackets available over three days. In stores, the company will sell more traditional movie merchandise — from backpacks and lunchboxes to jewelry, pillow cases and life-size cardboard cut-outs of the film’s characters — with prices starting at a more manageable $7. But with the pricier items, Target was looking for a stunt to stand out from its rivals and tell consumers that “we’re bound and determined to be the destination for ‘Hunger Games,’” especially after the books and film “truly captivated the nation,” John Butcher, VP of Entertainment at Target, told Variety. Butcher said the items are aimed at “devoted fans” of the books and new film franchise who are looking for collectibles that let them own “a piece of movie history” … The more expensive products mark the first time Target has offered licensed entertainment merchandise at a premium pricepoint. It was able to secure the exclusives through an ongoing partnership with Lions-gate, which covers the franchise’s future films, as well. That naturally includes the homevid release, which Target is offering as a three-disc deluxe edition of the DVD and Blu-ray, packaged in a collectible case, featuring 45 minutes of exclusive content, including personal video diaries filmed by the movie’s seven main Tributes and interviews with the cast about the experience. “We’re delighted to partner with Target on this innovative and integrated campaign that offers their guests unique merchandise and video content,” said Ron Schwartz, Lionsgate executive VP and general manager of home entertainment. “These collectibles and bonus footage immerse fans in the world of ‘The Hunger Games’ and will help them celebrate ‘The Hunger Games” status as a unique and memorable event” … “Target is a place for entertainment lovers,” Butcher said. “For us, it’s important to make sure we provide product to our guests that they can only find at Target.” Target already is seeing some of its strongest sales numbers for pre-orders of “The Hunger Games” discs — the DVD is priced at $22.99, with the Blu-ray selling for $26.99.

Wow … that’s just … wow. I mean, I’m a fan of The Hunger Games, no question, but I don’t know that I’d be willing to shell out this kind of money for these items. I have the Mockingjay pin that was given away at San Diego Comic-Con FOR FREE and it looks just like the 14-karat gold one they are going to sell for $1000. I’m fine with that. I can’t say that I’m at all impressed with how this leather jacket looks at all. Still, because of the limited numbers of items being offered for sale, I’m certain they will sell out. What do y’all think? Are there any fans of The Hunger Games out there who would be willing to buy these high priced items? If so, which one is your fave?

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