Monday, August 13, 2012

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Finds Its "Seeder"

Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate has announced that Maria Howell ("The Blind Side," "What to Expect When You're Expecting") will portray District 11's female victor-tribute for the Third Quarter Quell, Seeder in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.


The story begins as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever.

Seeder is a quiet but kind character who steps up to inform Katniss of the well-being of Rue and Thresh's families following the revolution. Unlike her fellow District 11 resident Chaff (recently cast E. Roger Mitchell) and other victors, she's not become a drunk or a junkie since winning her Games, so Katniss takes a liking to her.

"Slumdog Millionaire" scribe Simon Beaufoy had signed on to originally go ahead and adapt author Suzanne Collins' next novel in the series a while back when Gary Ross was attached to direct. Since Francis Lawrence has replaced Ross, a new script was commissioned.

Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, the new Gamemaker at the Capitol after Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) was executed. Plutarch is a far savvier political animal and plays a crucial role in the events of Catching Fire. Jena Malone has won the role to play the strong-willed tribute Johanna Mason. Amanda Plummer will play Wiress who has the nickname “Nuts” due to her eccentricity--she “doesn’t communicate traditionally, her observations and contributions prove invaluable in the Quarter” (aka the 75th Hunger Games) ceremony though. Sam Claflin won the part of trident-wielding tribute Finnick Odair, the veteran tribute Tony Shalhoub plays the inventor Volts. Lynn Cohen has been cast in the role of Mags. Patrick St. Esprit will play Romulus Thread Meta Golding has landed the role of Enobaria a tribute from District 2 who antagonizes Katniss and is known to be especially brutal and unrelenting. Bruno Gunn has been cast in the role of Brutus, a former Career victor from District 2, "Blue Mountain State" co-star Alan Ritchson is set to play Gloss--a former Career tribute from District 1 and his sister Cashmere are both competing in the Quarter Quell

Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland are expected to return.

Things need to move at a quickend pace since Catching Fire already has a set release date of Nov. 22, 2013, and needs to finish shooting by December so that Lawrence can start work on Fox's X-Men: Days Of Future Past in January.

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