‘Catching Fire’: Catch-up Post

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the sequel to the box office/literary hit The Hunger Games is set to begin filming soon, and actors are being cast left and right for the film. It seems like every couple days a new casting is being announced and it can be quite easy missing some important casting calls.  So let’s call this our Catching Fire: catch-up post, so you, the fans, can catch up on any The Hunger Games: Catching Fire related news that you might have missed over the past couple of weeks.

Casting:  No worries for the main cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth are all set to return to their roles. Along with fan favorites: Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson. While there are many rumors and theories as to who should be cast for the sequel, there are many actors who have officially signed up for the film. Some new additions to the cast include:

Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, the Head Gamemaker of the 75^th Hunger Games

Jena Malone as Johanna Mason, a former victor of the Hunger Games from District 7 and tribute in the 75^th Hunger Games

Amanda Plummer as Wiress, a former victor of the Hunger Games from District 3 and tribute in the 75^th Hunger Games

Lynn Cohen as Mags, a tribute in the 75^th Hunger Games from District 4

Meta Golding as Enobaria, a former victor of the Hunger Games from District 2 and tribute in the 75^th Hunger Games

Patrick St. Esprit as Romulus Thread, the new Head Peacekeeper of District 12

E. Roger Mitchell as Chaff, a former victor of the Hunger Games from District 11 and tribute in the 75^th Hunger Games

The sought after role of Finnick Odair, a former victor and tribute in the 75^th Hunger Games, has yet to be officially announced. Almost every young actor in Hollywood has been considered for the role from Armie Hammer to Garret Hedlund, but the rumor around Hollywood is that Sam Claflin has been offered the role of Finnick. Whether or not Claflin accepts the offer is all up to him at this point, which to be frank he’d be crazy not to accept this role.  There are also rumors that Tony Shalhoub has been offered the role of Beetee, another tribute in the 75^th Hunger Games.  It’s safe to assume that the role of Finnick will be one of the last casting announcements that Lionsgate will be making before the film starts filming.

Filming: As for the actual filming of the movie itself, production of the sequel should take place sometime in September. Although Lionsgate hasn’t confirmed or announced any locations, rumors are afloat that there are plans to shoot in Atlanta and in Hawaii. Could the Quarter Quell be shot down in the “Aloha State”? It would make sense for the filming to happen down there. The only things that Lionsgate will confirm is the sequel will not be filmed in North Carolina like its predecessor The Hunger Games and it will be released November 22, 2013.

So that’s the gist of it so far. If there is any other The Hunger Games: Catching Fire news (when Finnick is officially cast!)  be rest assured that we’ll be on top it .

 Sources: IMDB, Hungergamesmovie.org