Tag Archives: The hunger games

Jul 17 2012
Movie Movie News

Hunger Games Casting is Catching Fire

Now that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has cast Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch and Jena Malone as Johanna (which is perfect in my opinion), it appears as though the rest of the dominoes are starting to fall into place.

It is being reported that even though everyone from Taylor Kitsch to Garrett Hedlund had been in the running for the role of fan-favorite Finnick Odair, it looks like Sam Clafin is getting the offer.  Clafin has already been in two big budget films (Pirates 4/Snow White and the Huntsman), but was never really one of the focal points.  The role of Finnick in this film is a relatively meaty one, and based on his look, I think this is something he can pull off.

In even better news it looks like veteran character actors Melissa Leo (fresh off a hilarious turn in last weeks Louie) and Tony Shaloub have also been offered the roles of Mags and Beetee respectively.  If they accept this franchise will have an interesting mix of younger untested talent and seasoned veteran actors, none of which command a crazy paycheck.  While I am not crazy about the rushed production schedule, it looks like Francis Lawrence and Lionsgate are putting together a world that will rival some of the great sci-fi franchises of the last 30 years.

I’m excited to see how it all plays out.

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Jun 13 2012
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Movie Movie News

Catching Fire Casting and Actors Who Slum It?

So it’s being reported that an offer is out for Philip Seymour Hoffman to star as Plutarch “it begins at Midnight”  Heavensbee  in the next Hunger Games film Catching Fire to be directed by Francis Lawrence.  While I can’t really picture him as Plutarch, the head gamesmaker in the 75th Hunger Games, I have no doubt that he’d be able to do a fantastic job.   The only thing is that he is not what I would have thought for the character.

I guess I can be in on the casting commentary now because I have read all the books.  Prior to the first films release I finally read all three books and thoroughly enjoyed them, but I had the problem that I read it now with the actors from the film in mind.  I had seen enough commercials and trailers to know who was who, but it didn’t get in my way TOO much while reading.  However, once I got to Catching Fire and Mockingjay, the new characters introduced were uncharted territory.  My mind created strong depictions of Finnick, Beetee and Wiress, and Plutarch, based on actual actors this time, and not just whatever I imagined.  That being said, I saw Plutarch as more of a Michael Ironside.  If you know who that is, you know he’s played Plutarch-like roles almost all of his life.  For Hoffmann this type of role is a bit of a departure, but it’s just a little bit sad.

Who even knows if he’ll say yes though.

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