The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Casting Updates

Jena Malone will play Johanna Mason in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." (Lions Gate®) Digital art by Tracee Orman, original images by TheCapitol.PN (Lionsgate) and MovieWeb.com.

In case you hadn't heard the news, Jena Malone has been offered the part as District 7 Victor Johanna Mason in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," released By Lions Gate® November 22, 2013 - yes, still 505 days away. You can catch up on the latest in this excellent post by Perri Nemiroff, which features another edition of How Panem Celebrates Independence Day by our favorite Hunger Games fansites. (P.S. I love how Adam incorporates art into his post on how Delly Cartwright celebrates Independence Day.)

I remember Malone from "Stepmom" and she definitely had the snotty, bratty kid part down. I think she's an excellent actress and while she may seem too young looking, I think she's perfect. Lionsgate continues to amaze me with their casting choices, so I have complete faith that she was the best candidate for the part.

I cannot wait to see who they choose for Finnick Odair. There was some buzz about Hunter Parrish playing the part, but nothing is confirmed. If you have used my Catching Fire Teaching Unit, then you know that Parrish was the actor I had pictured in my head when I read Catching Fire in 2009.

From "Catching Fire Character Graphic Organizer" Teacher's Guide by Tracee Orman. Blocked out answers, arrows, and commentary on the "Reminds Me Of..." section were added and do not show up on the original document. ;]

I honestly do not care whether he is selected since I know the right person for the part will ultimately get it. But, I think it's kind of cool that at least one person who I had originally pictured might be in the running.

The only other visions I had were not of anyone specific. I pictured Beetee and Wiress as more Asian-looking and Seeder and Chaff with darker skin. The one actor for Chaff who comes to mind is Michael Clarke Duncan. Enobaria has to be a woman who you would not want to mess with...perhaps a Grace Jones type? (I actually pictured Grace Jones for Atala's part, but since it's such a small part, a lesser-known actress makes sense.) I can't wait to see how they do her teeth, whoever gets the part. And it probably won't be long before we are talking about who should play Boggs and President Coin.

What do you think? Are you happy with the casting choices so far? 

(See my post about Plutarch Watch 2012: Philip Seymour Hoffman...) 

Comment below or on my Facebook Fan Page.