Hunger Games needs cuts for 12A rating

'The Hunger Games' needed cuts to achieve a child-friendly 12A rating and improve its chances at the box office.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) have released a statement about the edits - which only come to seven seconds - on their website. Lionsgate, the studio behind the film, have complied.

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“The company chose to make cuts in order to achieve a '12A' classification. A number of cuts were made in one scene to reduce an emphasis on blood and injury. These cuts, which were implemented by digitally removing sight of blood splashes and sight of blood on wounds and weapons, were made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy.

"An uncut '15' classification was available. These cuts were made in addition to reductions already made following an earlier 'advice' viewing of an incomplete version.”

The fact that only minor cuts were required means that the violent adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novel should still have enough blood and gore to satisfy the fans eager to see the film.

In the US, The Hunger Games was rated PG-13 for "intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens".

Obtaining the controversial 12A is crucial when it comes to a film scoring success at the box office, especially if it is primarily aimed at a younger audience.

The 'Twilight' franchise and later 'Harry Potter' movies both went for the certificate in order to keep a younger fanbase happy, whilst maintaining a comparatively 'edgy' reputation.

This week 'The Woman in Black' became the highest grossing film of the year in the UK, partly thanks to some of the cuts that were made to the movie in order for it to be released with a 12A certificate.

Despite the edit, the final version of 'The Hunger Games' is still a whopping 142 minutes long. It is released in the UK on 23 March.