Francis Lawrence starts shooting The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in less than two months, so there should be several concrete casting announcements in the immediate future.
Jena Malone and Philip Seymour Hoffman were confirmed as new additions to the second Hunger Games flick just a couple of weeks ago. Today we have word that the cast also includes Golden Globe-nominee Amanda Plummer as Wiress (an eccentric Quarter Quell participant who goes by the nickname “Nuts”). Plummer, as it were, is perhaps still best known for her turn as Honey Bunny in Pulp Fiction.
Variety has learned that the following individuals are shortlisted (re: frontrunners) to join Catching Fire:
- Sam Claflin, the 26-year old English actor who recently played a small role in both Pirates of the Caribbean 4 and Snow White and the Huntsman. Lionsgate is expected to offer Claflin the fan-favorite role of Finnick Odair, after eying people like Armie Hammer (Social Network) and Taylor Kitsch (Battleship) to bring the former-Games champion to life.
- Melissa Leo, the versatile character actress who was nominated for an Oscar in 2009 (for Frozen River) before she won for The Fighter last year. She’s up for the role of Mags, the 80-something, deteriorating (re: toothless) woman who mentored Finnick during his time competing in the Hunger Games.
- Tony Shalhoub, the Golden Globe-winning alum of the long-running TV series Monk (and a costar in the first two Men in Black movies). Shalhoub is in line to portray Beetee, an electricity specialist nicknamed “Volts,” who plays a pivotal role in upending the Quarter Quell.
Claflin, Leo, and Shalhoub are up for 'Catching Fire'
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen [played by Jennifer Lawrence] has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark [Josh Hutcherson]. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow [Donald Sutherland] prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.
The casting of Claflin as Finnick seems destined to stir up the most disagreement among Hunger Games fans, as far as this casting shortlist is concerned – if only because the actor has yet to really impress the masses (though, that could easily change, after he portrays Finnick). Otherwise, this collection of acting talent seems pretty rock solid – especially new additions like Leo and Shalhoub.
Of course, feel free to express your agreement/disagreement with that sentiment, in the comments section of this article.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire opens in regular/IMAX theaters on November 22nd, 2013.
Source: Variety
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I don’t care who’s cast. Just as long as they don’t rush the story and, and gloss over important details from the book
Yes, this is so true. But, I have to admit I am not a fan of Melissa Leo for Mags. I mean, she’s a great actress, but Mags is by far my favorite character in the book and I just can’t really picture her playing Mags…. And Sam Claflin? Really? I’m not necessarily angry, just kinda surprised at that choice… I am happy about Shalhoub though! He’ll be a great Beetee! Now what about Cashmere, Gloss, Brutus and my other-other-OTHER favorite Enobaria?!?
@Spencer
Melissa Leo can pull anything off. I have faith in her…
HECK. NO!!!!! Sam is a fine actor but he’s NOT NOT NOT Finnick!!!! Come on Lionsgate!
Melissa Leo is one hell of an actress. She was phenomenal in The Fighter…
The writer called it lol. I think think Leo and especially Shalhoub would be excellent choices as Mags and Beetee. However, I don’t see Clafin as Finnick. However, if we’re going off looks alone I can’t really think a current young actor who is gorgeous enough to play Finnick. Good thing there’s more to Finnick than his looks lol. Clafin’s handsome enough. So if he can convey the emotions well enough, I guess it’ll be fine.
Ryan Kwanten.
I cannot see Tony as Beetee. That does not match how I pictured Beetee in the book. Melissa Leo would be a perfect choice for Mags. And Sam is a pretty good choice for Finnick, although I don’t think he has the body that was described in the book. I still think Garrett Hedlund was a spot on cast for Finnick IMO.
I don’t like Tony as Beetee. I think the best choice is Michael Emerson (Lost, Person of Interest). He fits Beetee to a T and I’ll be crushed if anyone else is cast as him!
Ummm, you might, very likely, be crushed. Out of curiousity, WHY does Shaloub not fit as Beetee for you? I think he would be brilliant in the role, if cast…but, of course, that’s just my opinion.
Can’t wait to see the movie! I hope it will live up to the expectations.
I absolutely love Sam Claflin since I saw him in the Pillars of the Earth, but I never necessarily pictured him as Finnick. I think I could get used to the idea of him as Finnick, but I also won’t be diappointed if they shoud choose somebody else. For anybody who has never heard of him, check out his films and also the Pillars of teh Earth.. in my opinion he is a quite good young actor starting out, this could be his breaking role (to anybody who says he has too little experience: everybody once started with a big role somebody gave them).
So, I’d love to see Sam as Finnick, but I previously pictured Garrett Hedlund in th epart, so especially with him (but basically many others as well) I wouldn’t be mad, if they chose somebody else.
I love Amanda Plummer as Wiress, I think she’ll play her whacked out character perfectly. Great choice on that one! I also like Jena Malone as Johanna, she’s a very good actress that I can see playing her very well.
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Amanda Plummer was great in Pulp Fiction. The unique role of the