“Catching Fire” casts another big role

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” has cast the role of Wiress. For anyone who hasn’t read the books yet, she plays a fairly important role in the sequel. Amanda Plummer, best known for her roles in “Pulp Fiction” and “The Fisher Game” will play Wiress in the anticipated sequel, which begins filming this year.

The sequel sees Francis Lawrence take over directing duties. Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone and Philip Seymour Hoffman have also been cast.

Casting is going really well. I’m still worried about Francis Lawrence. I wasn’t in love with “I Am Legend” and, though I really liked “Constantine”, it’s very different subject material than “Catching Fire”.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” split into two films

In a move that surprised absolutely no one, the final part of “The Hunger Games” series, “Mockingjay”, will be split into two parts, arriving in theaters Nov. 231, 2014 and Nov. 20, 2015. “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” hits theaters next fall, meaning fans will get four years of “The Hunger Games”. The popular series stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Gale. The series also stars Donald Sutherland as President Snow.

Like I said, this isn’t a surprise. Twilight’s doing it, Harry Potter did it and The Hobbit is doing it.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Official: Phillip Seymour Hoffman joins “Catching Fire”

We’ve known for a little while now it was being discussed, but Phillip Seymour Hoffman has officially joined “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”. He’ll play head games maker Plutarch Heavensbee.

The anticipated sequel to the $400 million hit “The Hunger Games” and based on the best selling novel series also stars Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) and Liam Hemsworth (Gale).

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

“Catching Fire” casts role

In the upcoming sequel to the hit film “The Hunger Games”, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” has cast the role of Johanna Mason, who is a tribute. Jena Malone, best known for her role in Zack Snyder’s “Sucker Punch” has landed the role. She’ll join Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and a host of others, including Liam Hemsworth (Gale) and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta). Francis Lawrence is directing.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

More “Catching Fire” casting buzz

The upcoming film “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” has been in the news a lot lately with numerous names up for Finnick Odair. Now, it appears the role of Joanna Mason, who (SPOILERS) teams up with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) has been narrowed to two.

Mia Wasikowska (“Alice in Wonderland) and Zoe Aggeliki are reportedly up for the role. Which would you want to see? Francis Lawrence is taking over as director for the anticipated sequel.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

“Catching Fire” to get Oscar winner?

Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman has been offered the role of Plutarch Heavensbee in “Catching Fire”, the sequel to “The Hunger Games”. Heavensbee takes over as game maker from Seneca Crane, who was played by Wes Bentley in the first film. The movie also sees stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson return.

I hope Hoffman signs on. He’s a great actor and would be fun to see how he does.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Two big sequels get release dates

The sequel to “X-Men: First Class” will be hitting theaters July 18, 2014. The film will begin filming in January to allow Jennifer Lawrence to shoot “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” this fall. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, January Jones, Nicholas Hoult, Caleb Landry Jones and Lucas Till are expected to return as is director Matthew Vaughn.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”, the sequel to “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” will hit theaters Memorial Day 2014. Rupert Wyatt will return to direct but it is unknown how much of the original cast will return.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at egegn.lukas@gmail.com.

Three up for role in Catching Fire

More news about “The Hunger Games” sequel “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” after reports about Robert Pattinson being up for the role of Finnick Odair proved to be false. Three actors are reportedly in the running for that role: Armie Hammer, Taylor Kitsch and Garrett Hedlund.

My pick, which may be surprising considering what’s happened to him this year, would be Kitsch. It’s true “Battleship” was far from a classic. But, “John Carter” suffered from a lack of good marketing, not because it was a terrible film. Kitsch has the chops, anyone who saw him on “Friday Night Lights” knows that. Give him a solid script and he’s more than capable.

Hammer would be interesting, but he’s tied up with “The Lone Ranger”. And Hedlund, just no. People talk about Kitsch’s lack of charisma. Hedlund almost made me fall asleep during “Tron: Legacy” he was terrible in “Eragon” and “Troy” he was alright. And I’m not even going to mention “Georgia Rule” or “Country Strong” as factors.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Robert Pattinson not going to be in “Catching Fire”

“Twilight” star Robert Pattinson said he will not be appearing in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”. Pattinson told the USA Today that ” “I woke up this morning and saw all these things about me being cast in The Hunger Games,” said Pattinson. “I was kind of curious for a second. So I called my agent. … My agent was like, ‘No.'”

Do you think this is good news?

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com