There are currently two films that are absolutely exhausting anyone covering news. One is the ongoing Snow White and the Huntsman, and the other is The Hunger Games.
If the Games fans on Twitter are to be believed, Lionsgate is being deliberately slow and tortuous in releasing casting information. I do know I’ve never seen so much emphasis on who is playing Boy #1 and Boy #2 from District [x] as I have with this, so there must be truth in it. As a rule, no one usually gives a damn about those who are cast to be slaughtered, so Lionsgate was definitely taking some joy in stringing out the news.
But now, we finally have real casting. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Woody Harrelson has signed on to play Haymitch Abernathy. This was one of the roles everyone was waiting for, and it was widely reported that it belonged to John C. Reilly. Harrelson is a blind side, but it seems to be pleasing fans.
For those not in the know, Haymitch is a sad, tragedy-ridden drunk who was victorious in the Hunger Games’ 50th match. He’s District 12’s only living survivor of past games, and now mentors new players. Sending so many to their deaths has taken a toll on him. He grows close to Katniss, who offers hope and the promise of rebellion with her victories.
Harrelson isn’t the only new castmember. Yesterday, Entertainment Weekly reported that Stanley Tucci joined as the flamboyant Caesar Flickerman. He’s the Ryan Seacrest of this dystopia. He interviews tributes, and if they impress him and the viewing audience, they stand a better chance of survival. He’s pretty over-the-top in appearance. His eyes, lips, and hair are dyed powder blue, he’s undergone extensive cosmetic surgery, and wears a powder blue suit covered in blinking lights. Fabulous!
Another plum role went to Wes Bentley, who will be playing Seneca Crane, head game-maker. This came by official press release as far as I can tell, and I didn’t get one, so it passed by my radar. I apologize for that.
Whew. Are we all done, beyond Boy #7 and Girl #12? Can this film already?
5 comments
Wes Anderson is acting now?
These books are the next Harry Potter, or so they hope, right?
I think she meant Wes Bentley……………at least that’s who everyone else is listing. Who knows though. I’ve never read the books, although the premise seems extremely Battle Royale-esque to me.
Yes, Wes Bentley. These things happen after 48 hours of typing.
So many people acknowledge the Battle Royale similarity, but it’s a surface one. Yes, there are games where kids kill each other. Bang. Full stop, end of discussion. The context for the games, the method by which children are put into the games, the vaguely sci-fi trappings of the games themselves and a variety of other factors make this series a completely different animal. Plus, in Battle Royale, the battle itself was the main character, whereas Hunger Games has a strong lead in Katniss, strong enough to entice every up and coming young actress and land “the next big thing” in Lawrence. There’s some meat here. It’s not just running around and creating mayhem. To compare the two is to compare Star Wars and Spartacus because they both feature rebellions.
While I pictured to be a portly, short guy, I have to say that I am pleasently surprised by the casting news of Woody. I only wish I was aware of this article sooner or I would have commented sooner.
Comments are shown as archived from the original site; new comments are closed.