With the immense success of this year’s The Hunger Games both critically and commercially, all eyes are on how new director Francis Lawrence will handled the follow-up, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The film is slated to begin production in a few short months, and there are a number of new characters from Suzanne Collins’ second entry in The Hunger Games franchise that will be popping up. Probably the two most important new additions are Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason. We previously heard some iffy rumors regarding actors being considered for the former, but now two intriguing names have popped up as possibilities for the Johanna role: Mia Wasikowska and Zoe Aggeliki. Hit the jump for more. Possible minor spoilers for Catching Fire may follow.
In order to describe the character of Johanna, I’m gonna have to get into some possible minor spoiler territory for those who haven’t read Catching Fire: there’s another Hunger Games. In all likeliehood, this isn’t a spoiler. Lionsgate will probably be using some of the action oriented scenes from the games in the trailers for Catching Fire, as there aren’t many ‘splosions and fight sequences in the first half of the book. Moreover, the games play only a small part in the context of the larger issues that Katniss has to confront in the story.
Johanna is a fierce competitor in the 75th Hunger Games who becomes Katniss’ ally. She’s sarcastic and quite contentious, and her relationship with Katniss is more akin to a younger sister/older sister rapport. She plays an important role not only in Catching Fire but also in the third and final installment of Collins’ series, Mockingjay, so it goes without saying that casting Johanna is a pretty big deal.
Sources tell The Playlist that both Wasikowska and Aggeliki are “in the mix” for the Johanna part, as Lawrence is said to be considering both big names and lesser talents. The Playlist was the first outlet to report that Gary Ross wouldn’t be returning to direct Catching Fire, so I’m inclined to put considerable weight behind their story. Wasikowska is an exciting prospect as she’s done swell work in films like Jane Eyre and The Kids Are All Right, but Aggeliki is a bona fide newcomer. She has roles in the upcoming pics R.I.P.D. and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, but we haven’t seen her act in anything yet so it’s hard to gauge who would be a better pick for Johanna.
The Playlist adds that both actresses have been in discussions for the part, but Aggeliki could officially sign on in a matter of days. That said, nothing’s certain just yet so Lawrence’s final choice could be someone else entirely. We should hear word soon either way, as production is scheduled to begin immenintley. We haven’t heard anything solid regarding the Finnick role, but my personal pick would be either the previously rumored Garret Hedlund or Weeds star Hunter Parrish. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire opens on November 22nd, 2013.
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I rather have Mia Wasikowska because obviously she has proven to be a really good actress and also she has previously worked with Josh Hutcherson so I guess that could play a good factor in the sequel too. On the other hand, I can’t judge Zoe Aggeliki because I have never heard of her but as long as she has good acting skills, I would support this choice as well. At the same time, I kinda imagined Johanna to look tougher since she’s “fierce” as Adam described her.
Well I guess the producers of the sequel want to play it safe this time and continue casting only white actors.
Who could forget the bigot that complained : “why did the producers made all the good characters black smh”
Gotta cater to the majority, right? LOL
They are casting them the way they were written in the book. If you are bitching about the Rue incident, Rue was dark skinned, from the south, and a essentially a plantation worker in the book. Obviously she is black.
“They are casting them the way they were written in the book”
Well…. Let’s put that to the test:
Katniss, the main character in the book was described as having “straight black hair” and “olive skin.” It’s a post-apocalyptic world, so she could be a mix of things (bi-racial), therefore some pictured her as a Native American or Hispanic/Latino.
What happened?
They cast a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Jennifer Lawrence for the part.
Now, that’s a typical example of Hollywood whitewashing if there ever was one. And you know what? it’s perfectly fine. Not many people identify with minorities in the US and some parts of the world (especially in China). And that’s why whitewashing exists. Just ask Jake Gyllenhaal and his Prince of Persia character.
Anyway, the fact is some people had a BIG problem with some characters (Rue, Thresh, and Cinna) being interpreted by non-white actors. This despite the fact that Rue and Thresh were described in the book as having dark skin. Plus the author of the book confirmed that they were in fact “African-American”.
Cinna didn’t have a defined look but those same bigots that complained, also had a problem that a good actor got the part. And only because that actor happened to be BLACK.
So I understand why they got Jennifer for the part. She was the best actress for it. So why is it wrong to give black/Asian/Latino actors some parts that were (or weren’t) designed to be played by an actor/actress of a specific race or background?
Well it’s wrong because they gotta cater to the majority. Such is life.
What do you mean, continue casting only white actors? They weren’t all white in the first movie, so how could it be a continuation? Characters are described in the book and casting tries to capture that.
Do you complain at every Tyler Perry movie when the races aren’t equally represented? Yeah, didn’t think so.
You are the only biggot here Mr Ed
I was kinda hoping Rooney Mara, but she wouldn’t do it, i’m sure.
Damn, Zoe Aggeliki could rule the world with those lips.
i hope mia gets this
I hope genesis rodriguez gets it
Me too, especially if the script stays faithful to the book, if you know what I mean.
I want Krissa Bradshaw to get it! I thought she already got it. I’m gonna be crushed if she’s not in it.
Me too! Lawrence hasn’t made a decision so hopefully she will be Ms. Mason!
I kind of doubt this Krissa girl was ever considered. If she was considered, it would have been all over the internet. One fan site posted that she got the part, and I am guessing it was just a rumour.
Jena Malone has been offered the part. Zoe Aggeliki was also considered.
Wasikowska FTW
I’m for Mia, but she’ll need to get a tan and build some muscle for the role.
Mia denied that she was ever up for this. Im glad we can put this rumor to bed and move on to more important pieces of news.. Like JENA MALONE is being considered for this part and could be a top contender!!!
Thought Naya or Krissa would’ve been awesome for it. They need more diversity in the movie.
I still say a kitchen is the most important “room” in your home!