Movie Movie Podcast

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.