Two new images from director Francis Lawrence’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire feature the Everdeen sisters, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Primrose (Willow Shields).  If things had gone differently in the events of the original film, we could easily have been watching Prim attempt to survive the games instead of her older sister.  We’ll find out what’s in store for the sisters when the sequel opens later this year.

Also starring Sam Claflin, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright and Amanda Plummer,  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire opens on November 22nd in IMAX and traditional theaters.  Hit the jump to check out the new images.

Today’s casting roundup runs the gamut from rainbow-colored fantasy to the stark reality of AIDS:

• Jennifer Garner is in talks to star opposite Matthew McConaughey in The Dallas Buyer’s Club.  McConaughey stars as a man with AIDS who survives by smuggling medication into the U.S. to for himself and other patients.
• Willow Shields, Karl Urban, and Leehom Wang are set to star in The Wonder 3D, which follows three kids who find the end of a rainbow… with unexpected consequences.

Details on both projects after the jump.

Suzanne Collins‘ young adult novel The Hunger Games isn’t particularly well-written, but it’s undeniably cinematic.  Collins’ paints a strange, brutal world with a hint of social commentary wrapped in a melodramatic love story and intense action.  For the film adaptation, director Gary Ross has created an effective and memorable experience that’s deadly serious and seriously entertaining.  Rather than playing into the blockbuster elements of the novel, he takes a subdued approach where less is more and “more” is darkly and comically grotesque.  The movie remains tied to the weaker aspects of the book, especially the anti-climactic finish and lightweight social commentary, but terrific performances from the cast and Ross’ superb direction paint a potent and compelling picture.

We have seen a few photos from the North Carolina set of The Hunger Games, but they lacked a certain human element.  Today’s collection fixes that, with photos of Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Willow Shields, and even Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins in costume.  These characters are residents of the destitute District 12, so the costumes are drab.  But as the action travels to the lavish Capitol, the clothes become decidedly more flamboyant.

In other Hunger Games news, Lionsgate announced on Twitter that newcomer Amber Chaney is cast as “Avox girl,” a servant whose tongue was cut out for committing crimes against the Capitol.  This Avox is assigned to Katniss (Lawrence) as she prepares for the Hunger Games.  It’s a minor role (obviously non-speaking), but Katniss and the Avox share a special connection, so the character is not unimportant.

Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elisabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, and Wes Bentley also star in the adaptation directed by Gary Ross (Seabisciut).  The Hunger Games is scheduled for release on March 23, 2012.  Check out the set photos after the jump.

[Update: We have been asked to take down the images.]

A couple weeks ago, we reported that Elizabeth Banks was in talks to join Gary Ross’ adaptation of The Hunger Games.  Today, Heat Vision confirms that she has officially signed on to play the role Effie Trinket, the “flaky bureaucrat who escorts her district’s young death-match contestants to their fate.”  Banks joins Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Willow Shields along with an expanding cast of young actors playing tributes from various districts.

Banks will be seen in theaters later this summer in the indie comedy Our Idiot Brother.  She’s also signed on to play the alcoholic sister of Chris Pine’s character in Alex Kurtzman’s Welcome to People.  Hit the jump for the official synopsis for The Hunger Games, which opens March 23, 2012.

It’s a slow news day so here’s some minor casting news: Paula Malcomson (Deadwood) has been cast as the mother of protagonist Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her younger sister Primrose (Willow Shields) in The Hunger Games.  According to Heat Vision, Mrs. Everdeen “is grieving after her husband’s death, living in fear that her daughters will participate in the deadly Hunger Games.”  I haven’t read the books so I don’t know how major the role is, but Malcomson was tremendous on Deadwood so I’m glad to see her nab a role in a major flick like this.

Casting for the movie has been chugging along the past several weeks with Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Amandla Stenberg, Dayo Okeniyi, Leven Rambin, and Jack Quaid having joined the project thus far.  Elizabeth Banks is currently in talks to play the role of Effie.  Hit the jump for the official synopsis.  The Hunger Games opens March 23, 2012.

Lionsgate has sent out a press release announcing that newcomer Willow Shields has landed the role of Primrose Everdeen in Gary Ross’ adaptation of The Hunger Games.  Primrose is the younger sister of protagonist Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawerence).  When Primrose is selected to fight as one of District 12′s tributes in the deadly Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to take her sister’s place.  Said Ross of casting Shields, “It’s so exciting to find an amazing young actress like the one we just met.  Prim is an emotionally demanding role and in many ways she is the cornerstone of the story.  Willow Shields will make an amazing Prim and we’re very lucky to have her.”

The film also stars Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Dayo Okeniyi, Amandla Stenberg, Jack Quaid, Leven Rambin, and possibly Elizabeth Banks.  Hit the jump for the official synopsis.  The Hunger Games is set to open on March 23, 2012.