The true story behind Steven Soderbergh’s work on Hunger Games

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

About a month ago, crew members on THE HUNGER GAMES began tweeting that Steven Soderbergh was seen on set directing the 2nd unit. Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh directing 2nd unit, a position usually reserved for up-and-coming directors? As it turns out, it’s true but maybe not as juicy a story as you’d believe.

Originally I was speculating that Soderbergh, something of a renaissance man, wanted to try his hand at something different and work on a big-budget tentpole style action-movie. What better way to get his feet wet than directing the 2nd unit? But actually he was just doing a favor.

Soderbergh tells Moviefone that he really only shot two days on the film and he was helping out director Gary Ross, a close, personal friend. Soderbergh just happened to be available when Ross needed him and offered to head down and pitch in.

Before you think you’ll be seeing any LIMEY-style action sequences in HUNGER GAMES, Soderbergh says, “My job is to come in and duplicate exactly what Gary and Tom Stern, the [cinematographer], are doing. To mimic as closely as I can to their aesthetic. And that’s what I attempted to do. But if I’ve done my job properly, I hope I did, by design, you won’t be able to tell what I did.”