We haven’t heard much from Lionsgate about The Hunger Games: Catching Fire since early July when Jena Malone won out over Zoe Aggeliki and Mia Wasikowska for the role of Johanna Mason.
Now, it appears that the casting office for the much anticipated sequel is closing in on other key roles as production for the film is nearly ready to begin.
This morning Lionsgate announced that Lynn Cohen (Sex and the City) has officially been cast as Mags, the feisty and aged former Hunger Games victor from District 4.
Check out the press release (via Deadline) below for all the details.
Santa Monica, CA, August 2, 2012- Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE are pleased to announce that Lynn Cohen has been cast in the role of Mags in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel Catching Fire. A former mentor to Finnick Odair, Mags is an eighty year old Hunger Games victor from District 4.
Known to New York theater audiences for decades of memorable roles, Cohen has also appeared in critically acclaimed films such as Steven Spielberg’s Munich and Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, NY, as well as commercial fare such as Sex and The City and its sequel. She can next be seen in They Came Together, with Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler.
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. 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 prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has sold more than 50 million books in print and digital in the U.S. alone.
Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on November 22, 2013.
In other Catching Fire casting news, the search for Finnick Odair – the heartthrob and another victor from District 4 – appears to be nearing an end. After months of rumors circulated about who would play this intregal character in the film, Sam Claflin (Snow White and the Huntsman) is looking like the strongest possibility.
Although my vote always went to Alex Pettyfer, who physically matched the description of the character in the book, I can’t say I’d mind seeing Claflin in the role. There’s already an interesting dynamic brought to the table by the mix of experienced cast members and Claflin would fit right in.
The role is pretty demanding and will extend into the final film of the franchise (that is unless they split the last book into two films as previous franchises such as Twilight and Harry Potter have set a precedent for), so Claflin has his work cut out for him.
There are still a couple more roles to be cast before filming begins, most notably Alma Coin, the leader of District 13, but production is moving right along with a November 22, 2013 release date standing firm.
Do you agree with these casting choices or do you have someone else in mind to play Mags or Finnick in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire? Let us know in the comment section below.