Jeffrey Wright Joins THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE As "Beetee"

Santa Monica, CA, September 7, 2012- Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire are pleased to announce that Jeffrey Wright has been cast in the role of Beetee in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel Catching Fire. Hailing from District 3, Beetee earns the nickname “Volts” because of his electronics expertise.

Critically acclaimed and known to theater, film and television audiences alike, Wright garnered a Tony® Award in 1994 for his work in Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize-winning epic “Angels in America” and reprised his “Angels” role in HBO's 2003 mini-series adaptation of the play, earning both a Golden Globe® and an Emmy® for his groundbreaking performance. Since then he has played memorable roles in films as diverse as Basquiat, Source Code, Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace, W, Syriana, and Cadillac Records. Wright can next be seen with Mark Walhberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Allen Hughes' political thriller Broken City.

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.

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