Elizabeth Banks Could Not Function During the Filming of ‘Hunger Games’
Based on author Suzanne Collins’ sci-fi novel of the same name, all four parts of The Hunger Games became a mega-hit and blew up at the box office.
The star-studded cast included Elizabeth Banks, Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, among many others.
The unflinchingly grim series is set in a dystopian society of Panem, and although there are heartwarming moments, the nation is desolate and vicious.
Unfortunately, tyrannical rulers force a group of teens to battle for survival, until Katniss Everdeen, played by Lawrence, comes in and saves Panem.
Many audiences thought that Lawrence’s Everdeen made the movie, but Banks’s Effie Trinket quietly stole the show.
The Hunger Games’ eccentric yet lovable escort and PR handler added some much-needed vivacity to the dark films.
Banks’ character is always seen in avant-garde fashion, colorful hair, and over-the-top makeup.
The actress shared the wardrobe was both thrilling and painful.
Elizabeth Banks Could Not Function on ‘Hunger Games’ Set
Speaking to Collider, Banks shared that deciding the looks for her character was fun.
She explained that she worked with her old friend, Judianna Makovsky, for The Hunger Games.
Makovsky invited Bank to her studio, where she also had a “weird” dress form of Banks’ and reference boards all the way around the room.
“It was great. We looked at Kabuki, a lot of Christian Dior, Marie Antoinette, all these crazy adornments, and just really crazy, cool stuff,” said the actress.
All of Effie’s costumes were handmade.
But as much as Bank’s had fun donning the crazy looks, she admitted that one particular element hindered her — her nails.
Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket on The Hunger Games (Source: The Hunger Games/Instagram)
If you noticed, Effie was always seen with long, elegant, and somewhat garish manicures. She said she could not function because of those nails and had assistants doing everything for her.
Her assistant would type on the phone for her and even help her in the restroom as well. The Pitch Perfect star revealed it took her 25 minutes to get in and out of her costume.
During lunch, she was the only one eating because everyone would be finished by the time she sat down to eat.
And because all her lunchtime was spent removing the costume, she had to gobble her food, as she would only have ten minutes.
Lil Nas X Pays Tribute to Effie Trinket
Fortunately, all the elaborate costumes and Banks’ sacrifice won the hearts of many and garnered a large fan base.
One such fan is Lil Nas X. In the rapper’s ‘Montero (Call Me by Your Name)’ music video, he appears to channel an Effie-infused pizazz.
The ‘Old Town’ rapper donned a similar aesthetic as one of his looks in the controversial video.
Although the LGBTQ community praised the rapper for celebrating his queerness, others have criticized him for the religious imagery.
In the video, the rapper ventures into the Garden of Eden before pole-dancing down a stripper pole into hell, where he gives the devil a lap dance.
Despite the division on social media, Banks’ shared a photo of Lil Nas X’s Effie-inspired look and commended him, writing, “you do you.”