Just earlier today, it was announced that Amanda Plummer was cast in Lionsgate's adaptation of
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the second novel in the highly successful series by Suzzanne Collins. Now, we have a couple more reports related to not only
Catching Fire, but the recently announced two-part adaptation of
Mockingjay.
Variety reports that
Snow White & The Huntsman's Sam Claflin is currently Lionsgate's top choice to play the character Finnick Odair (the most coveted role for the anticipated sequel) in
Catching Fire. The British actor is apparently close to being offered the role. Additionally, Melissa Leo (next year's
Oblivion) and Tony Shalhoub (
Men In Black) are the front runners for the roles of 'Mags' and 'Beetee', respectively. Jena Malone is said to be playing Johanna Mason, while Philip Seymour Hoffman is set to play Plutarch Heavensbee. Most of the first film's cast members (Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, etc.) will return for the sequel, which begins production this Fall and is set for a November 22nd, 2013 release.
In other
Hunger Games news, it looks like
Catching Fire director Francis Lawrence may not to return to direct the two-part follow-up
Mockingjay (both are slated for November 2014/2015 releases).
ThePlaylist reveals that new Lionsgate movie chiefs, Summit's Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger, producers Nina Jacobson and author Suzanne Collins are "vetting" directors to direct the final two films in the series, as Lawrence may not be able to work well with the extremely swift schedules between films. Who do you want to see direct
Mockingjay Part 1 & Part 2?