Who will portray Finnick Odair in Catching Fire ? Let’s table that debate for a moment and focus on another key role from The Hunger Games sequel. Multiple sources confirm that Oscar winner and 2012 Tony Award nominee Philip Seymour Hoffman has been offered the character of Plutarch Heavensbee, the Gamemaker at the Capitol who takes over for Seneca Crane and who is far savvier than his predecessor. He plays a pivotal part in the world of Katniss, Peeta and company over the course of the next book/film chapter. Hoffman, one of the most respected actors alive, would be a major coup for new director Francis Lawrence. He just finished a run as Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman on Broadway . No word yet from the star or the studio, but come on. This has to happen, right? [Photo: WENN.com]
We are reportedly down to three for the role of Finnick Odair. With Robert Pattinson (thankfully) out of the running for this key Catching Fire character , E! News claims producers have narrowed their choices down to the following trio: Taylor Kitsch : Beloved Friday Night Lights star who anchored two of the biggest flops in Hollywood history, John Carter and Battleship . Armie Hammer : Oscar nominee and upcoming Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto. Garrett Hedlund : Starring opposite Kristen Stewart in On the Road . E! also claims The Hunger Games sequel might go with a relative nobody for Finnick, who is a former winner of the story’s annual competition and possesses both a ridiculously amazing body and a cocky personality. Which of these actors would be best suited for the part?
Josh Hutcherson tells MTV News that director Francis Lawrence ‘has his finger on the pulse of the story.’ By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Josh Hutcherson arrives at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images UNIVERSAL CITY, California — Coming off their big night at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards , the cast of ” The Hunger Games ,” which took home four buckets of Golden Popcorn, is already planning the next installment of the series, ” The Hunger Games: Catching Fire .” MTV News’ Josh Horowitz caught up with stars Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Banks during the awards ceremony to find out where preparations for “Catching Fire” currently stand. Last week came word that the crew may leave behind its North Carolina location from the first film for a shoot further south in Atlanta. Hutcherson told MTV News that he hasn’t heard a definitive word on the location, but he is looking forward to the shoot. “I haven’t heard anything confirmed yet, but Atlanta is a big possibility. I know they’re looking at Hawaii, too, for some of the tropic stuff when we’re in the Games itself,” he said. “I’m excited. It’s going to be somewhere nice. I’m looking forward to it.” A possible change in filming location would be a minor shift compared to the director swap that captured headlines months ago. Hutcherson said that he recently saw the new director, Francis Lawrence , and is excited about his vision for the next adaptation. “I just had lunch with him a couple days ago, and he’s fantastic. He’s so smart and really has his finger on the pulse of the story, and I love the way he’s going to structure the script,” Hutcherson said. “The first thing he said to me was, ‘I want to make the movie out of the book. I want the book to be the best movie possible.’ That was immediately what he led with, which meant a lot to me because the books mean a lot to me.” Sunday night’s winner for Best On-Screen Transformation , Elizabeth Banks, on the other hand, has not spoken with Lawrence, though she understands why. “They’re so early in the process. That seems silly to say because we’re going to make the movie in a few months,” she said. “But I think he’s just started, and we have just gotten scripts, and it’s just sort of all happening.” As for whether she can share any details from the script she just read, Banks kept her secrets to herself. “I can’t tell you anything,” she said. “I read a book called ‘Catching Fire’ that I’m pretty sure the movie will be based on.” Jaw-dropping, heart-pounding, gut-busting moments galore. See what just happened at the 21st annual MTV Movie Awards ! Related Videos Behind The Scenes At The 2012 MTV Movie Awards 2012 Movie Awards: Most Talked-About Moments Related Photos 2012 Movie Awards: Presenters 2012 Movie Awards: Winners
Pattinson was initially ‘curious’ about rumors he would be playing dreamy tribute Finnick Odair, before shutting them down. By Jocelyn Vena Robert Pattinson Photo: AFP With one saga over, “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson says he has no plans to join that other super-buzzy and much-loved book-to-movie franchise, “The Hunger Games.” In an interview with
With ‘Battleship’ sinking at the box office, the role of Finnick Odair could serve as the actor’s life raft. By Amy Wilkinson Taylor Kitsch Photo: Getty Images Forget those Robert Pattinson rumors . I have a winning first-round draft pick for Adonis-like District 4 tribute Finnick Odair: former “Friday Night Lights” star Taylor Kitsch . To be sure, Kitsch’s name isn’t a new one in the frenzied speculation over who should play the ” Catching Fire ” hunk. For months, he’s been mentioned in the same breath as fan favorites like Armie Hammer and Garrett Hedlund, but with the less-than-stellar performance of “Battleship,” Kitsch needs one in the win column, and ” The Hunger Games ” sequel could be it. When the MTV Movies staff sat down at the end of the year to compile our 2012 wish list , my deepest desire was to see the erstwhile Tim Riggins make good on the big screen. He’s had a couple opportunities so far, starting with Disney’s sci-fi adventure “John Carter.” The adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novel reportedly cost the studio $350 million to produce, but opened to a disappointing $30.6 million domestically . Likewise, last weekend’s board-game-inspired actioner fell $15 million short of box-office experts’ modest $40 million projections. Kitsch has one more 2012 film yet to bow — the Oliver Stone-directed “Savages” — but he needs a high-profile role in a box-office barnburner to really introduce him to the masses and secure a spot as a go-to leading man. Hence, Finnick Odair. I’ll be the first to admit Kitsch doesn’t perfectly fit my mental image of the trident-wielding tribute; he isn’t blond, nor is he very tall (though have you seen him without a shirt on?). Abs aside, what matters more is that he’s able to effectively capture the essence of this surprisingly multifaceted character. Which, if you watched the dearly departed “Friday Night Lights,” you know Kitsch can do. After all, Finnick is really just the Tim Riggins of Panem. He’s clearly damaged yet still has the capacity to nurture and love — in other words, just two bad boys with big hearts. After the first film’s boffo box office (returns are currently around the $400 million mark), the sequel’s success is basically a foregone conclusion. So, Taylor, as you ponder your next career step, why not take a look at the “Catching Fire” script (if you haven’t already) and see if you’re up for the arena? This could be the blazing hot role you’ve been looking for. Do you think Taylor Kitsch would make a good Finnick? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns! Earlier “Hunger Games” columns:
He already has one franchise under his belt. Might Robert Pattinson soon add another? According to Movie Fanatic, the Twilight Saga star is under consideration for the role of Finnick Odair in Catching Fire , the wildly anticipated sequel to The Hunger Games . Finnick is described in Suzanne Collins’ novel as a ridiculously handsome former champion of the competition at the center of the triology’s story. He’s muscular, tan and blonde-haired (doesn’t exactly sound like R. Patt, does it?) and he harbored a troubled personal life. The Pattinson rumored has gained momentum because Francis Lawrence will direct Catching Fire and he worked with Rob in Water For Elephants . “As with the first film, we won’t be confirming, denying or commenting on any casting rumors for this title,” the studio said in a statement in response to this chatter. “We will announce news wide when there is official casting news to announce.” Until then… let’s speculate! Who should portray Finnick?
‘I think he’s going to do great,’ Banks tells MTV News of Francis Lawrence. By Kara Warner Elizabeth Banks Photo: MTV News Although “The Hunger Games” has been out in theaters for well over a month now, the $600 million behemoth is still making headlines via box-office records , a director change-up and casting speculation — not to mention the fact that the crowd-pleaser is set to make a fine showing at our 2012 MTV Movie Awards with its eight nominations . When MTV News caught up with castmember Elizabeth Banks recently as she promoted her latest movie, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” we asked for an update on the “Catching Fire” casting rumors, as well as her thoughts on new director Francis Lawrence. More specifically, though, is there room in “Fire” for her “Expecting” husband Ben Falcone (of “Bridesmaids” fame)? “Yes, he’s Finnick,” Effie Trinket herself joked. “I’m here to announce that he’s replacing President Snow.” “Right,” agreed Falcone. “Yes.” “You are the new president of the Capitol,” she informed her co-star. “Yes. No thanks, Donald Sutherland,” Falcone joked of the actual President Snow. Getting serious for a second, we then asked Banks what she thinks of Lawrence taking over directorial duties on the film’s sequel, “Catching Fire.” “[I’m] very excited. I mean, I can’t wait,” Banks said. “I haven’t met him, but we’ll see. I think he’s going to do great.” Banks’ fellow “Hunger Games” co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth have also weighed in on their new director, echoing Banks’ excitement. “Francis is extremely talented, and everyone I’ve talked to says he’s the best guy in the world,” Hutcherson said. “So I think he’s going to bring a lot.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com .
Filmmaker Jennifer Lynch knows a thing or two about battling the MPAA — her 1993 debut Boxing Helena earned the ratings board’s dreaded NC-17 for its sexualized violence and general depravity — and so it seems just like old times that her latest effort, Chained , faces the same fate for “some explicit violence.” But wait: Isn’t violence supposed to fly with the ratings board while sex gets the adults-only rating? What gives? Actually, look no further than the film’s NSFW trailer for your answer. On the one hand, I wouldn’t put it past distributor Anchor Bay to pull a Harvey special and exploit Chained ‘s Vincent D’Onofrio serial-killing kidnapper menace for maximum ratings “controversy.” On the other, publicity stunts aside, this just looks… heinous : Anyway, no release date has been set, and Anchor Bay can always turn around and release the film unrated, which is basically regarded the same as an NC-17 by skittish mainstream theaters, so for now it’s just a conversation piece with straight-to-video written all over it. Interested? [ LAT ]
Roughly two weeks after Gary Ross’s departure from and Francis Lawrence’s rumored attachment to Catching Fire , Lionsgate has officially announced Lawrence as its man to direct its mega-anticipated Hunger Games sequel . “From the very beginning of this brilliant trilogy’s journey from page to screen, our first priority has been to stay true to the heart and soul of Suzanne Collins’ powerful stories,” producer Nina Jacobson said in a statement just over the transom at Movieline HQ. “From my first conversation with Francis, I knew he would make a great partner for both me and Suzanne. His passion for Catching Fire and inspired ideas for a faithful adaptation make him the perfect director for this movie. I know this will be a wonderful collaboration and I cannot wait to get started.” Added Lawrence: “It is truly an honor and a privilege to bring Catching Fire , the second chapter of Suzanne’s beloved trilogy, to the big screen. I fell in love with the characters, the themes and the world she created and this chapter opens all of these elements up in such a thrilling, emotional and surprising way. I can’t wait to dive right into it and bring this chapter to life along with the truly superb cast and filmmakers involved.” Mazel tov! And get to work : Catching Fire opens November 22, 2013. [Photo: Getty Images]
Well, it looks like Lionsgate has picked their pony in the Catching Fire directing race ; I Am Legend director Francis Lawrence has reportedly been offered the job to helm the Hunger Games sequel, which is set to start filming on a tight schedule this August. Lawrence has three features under his belt, in addition to music videos for the likes of J. Lo and Britney Spears; he most recently directed Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon in Water for Elephants (but also made 2005’s Constantine ). Lawrence is said to have gotten the offer over Moneyball ‘s Bennett Miller, who Deadline reports was “very interested” in the gig but wanted to take time to film his Foxcatcher first. So what is there to say about Lionsgate’s choice? At least Lawrence has experience handling visual effects, building devastated but slick near-futuristic worlds, and working with teen heartthrobs. And hey, he won a Grammy (for directing Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video)! So there’s that. If Katniss Everdeen finds herself besieged in a techno bathhouse in the Simon Beaufoy-penned sequel, he’ll know what to do. And hey, maybe he can get Gaga to play Johanna Mason… Catching Fire is already set for release for November 22, 2013. Muse away on the Lawrence hire in the comments below! [ Deadline ]
