Sam Claflin officially cast as Finnick Odair in 'Catching Fire'

After over a month of being in need of confirmation, Lionsgate officially took to their Hunger Games Facebook page earlier today to announce that, yes, Sam Claflin (Snow White and the Huntsman, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) has been officially cast as Finnick Odair in Catching Fire.

Maria Howell cast as Seeder in 'Catching Fire'

Lionsgate has formally announced that actress Maria Howell (The Color Purple) has been cast as Seeder, the District 11 Tribute in the 75th Annual Hunger Games, in Catching Fire.

Seeder is from the same District from Rue, and shares some characteristics with Rue, leading her to become good friends with Katniss.

So, yeah...

Hey, everyone. Sorry for the lack of news-being-posted, but I swear I have an alibi! I was on vacation, and while I did have wi-fi access, the only outlet I had to the internet was my Kindle Fire, and I absolutely hate posting things from there, because I've got to do it from the HTML section, and it takes me forever to type on thing and yeah. So, yeah...

I suppose to make up for all the lack of news, I should sort of round things up a bit, shouldn't I?

Here goes nothing/this super-post:

• LeakyCon 2012 took place this week in Chicago, and seemed to be a success from everyone who went. The Leaky team announced that not one--but two--LeakyCons would be taking place next year; one in Portland, OR, over the last week of June, and one in London over the course of August 8-11. Will you be attending either?
• Catching Fire casting has been...out of control lately. Meta Golding has been cast as Enobaria, the brutal Victor from District 2, and Bruno Gunn as her fellow Victor-Tribute, Brutus. Alan Ritchson has been cast as Gloss, the glamorous District One VT (to the pleasure of many female fans...just--just Google him--or look at his face). 
• Primary casting for City of Bones also came to a close with the casting of Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Valentine Morgenstern, *spoilerspoiler* Clary's father/the story's main antagonist.
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower was pushed back to a release date of September 27, which now, unfortunately, clashes with Jennifer Lawrence's thriller, House at the End of the Street, both of which I was planning on seeing at midnight, buuuuut, now I've got to choose between the two.

Alright, then. I hope this makes up for all the news-lackage, so PLEASE FORGIVE ME. I should be getting back in the routine of posting news and book reviews within the next few days, although don't hate me if things don't get posted right away. School is starting up in two days, and I'll be quite busy, but I'll still make time for the site!

Jena Malone cast as Johanna Mason in 'Catching Fire'

It's official! Lionsgate announced via their official Hunger Games film page on Facebook that Jena Malone (Sucker Punch, Pride & Prejudice) has been cast as the District 7 tribute in the Third Quarter Quell, Johanna Mason!

This has been long speculated, and even reported that she had been offered the role, but now Lionsgate had confirmed it. Last night, though, Josh Hutcherson spilled on the Teen Choice Awards red carpet that she was in the film.

Thoughts?

Tony Shalhoub and Melissa Leo are rumored frontrunners for Beetee and Mags, respectively

It just keeps coming and coming, doesn't it? Variety is reporting that Lionsgate is eyeing Melissa Leo (Welcome to the Rileys--brilliant film, by the way) and Tony Shalhoub (Monk, Wings, Cars, being a genius) as Mags and Beetee, respectively. Both of these characters are known for their zany behavior and unforgettable companionship to Katniss, in Catching Fire, of course, but Beetee goes on to be in Mockingjay.

The article also brings up Sam Claflin, whom we mentioned before as being offered the role of Finnick, allegedly.

So what are your thoughts? So far, except for Hoffman, we think the CF casting is going perfectly, although we still anxiously await confirmations on Jena Malone, Claflin, Leo, and Shalhoub.

Sam Claflin offered role of Finnick Odair in 'Catching Fire'

QUICK NEWS UPDATE Zap2It is reporting that Sam Clacking (Snow White and the Huntsman) has been offered the role of Finnick Odair by Lionsgate and Nina Jacobson! What are your thoughts? More to come...

Amanda Plummer cast as Wiress in 'Catching Fire'

Lionsgate announced via their official Hunger Games Facebook page that Amanda Plummer (Get a Clue, multiple voice roles, Pulp Fiction) has been cast as Wiress, the spacey-yet-intelligent tribute from District Three. If you are a big Disney fan, as I am, you'll notice Amanda Plummer from her role as Miss Dawson in Get a Clue, starring Lindsay Lohan and Brenda Song. ALSO, she played Reese Witherspoon's mother in the kinda-sorta-not-really-retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Freeway.

Congratulations to Amanda, and keep tuning in for more Catching Fire news!

Philip Seymour Hoffman cast as Plutarch Heavensbee in 'Catching Fire'

It's official! We have our Plutarch Heavensbee! Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Big Lebowski, Moneyball) has been confirmed via the official Hunger Games Facebook page (on a very fancy new rendition of the Tribute reveal page) to play the Head Gamemaker and rebellion leader, Plutarch Heavensbee, in the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins's Catching Fire.

Now that casting is finally having confirmations, I think we can expect a release from Lionsgate SOON regarding Jena Malone as Johanna, and casting for fan-favorites like Finnick, Mags, Beetee, etc.

What are your thoughts?

Jena Malone offered role of Johanna Mason in 'Catching Fire'

Just today I was bugged that we still hadn't received any definite casting for Catching Fire, and BAM! The Hollywood Reporter reports that Jena Malone (Sucker Punch) has been offered the role of Johanna Mason in Catching Fire, and is in primary negotiations for the role. It was previously reported that Zoe Aggeliki was a step above Malone in the race, but apparently that is now false.

What are your thoughts? At this point in time, I'm not really all that excited about casting anymore because a lot of it has turned out to be a fluke or just simply misinformation, but let's hope that we get a confirmation from Lionsgate soon! I'm all for Jena Malone playing Johanna!

[UPDATED] Garrett Hedlund takes to Facebook to confirm that he will NOT be playing Finnick

Great news to many, bad news to some, Garrett Hedlund (Country Strong, Tron: Legacy, On the Road) has taken to his official Facebook page to debunk any and all rumours--and fan-castings--that he will be playing Finnick Odair in Catching Fire.

"Contrary to recent media reports I am not, and never have been in discussions to star in  The Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire"

So what does this mean? Does it mean that *my personal pick* Armie Hammer could possibly be playing Finnick? Or were those top three (Armie, Garrett, and Taylor Kitsch) just a fluke? Both Hedlund and Kitsch have denied the part, so does it now go to Hammer?

Let's hope so.

UPDATE: I've been informed by multiple people on Twitter that this Facebook account is not really Garrett Hedlund. I hear this all the time, though, and sometimes it works vice versa--fans, and sometimes even celebrities, will think that a star had an official account, but it turned out to be a poser. Unless Hedlund's people confirm this isn't his account, take this report with a bit of wariness, and just know that it's now a rumor until confirmation of Garrett Hedlund's media outlets.

So what are your guys' opinions on this shocking announcement? A lot of fans wanted Garrett to portray the heartthrob. Let me know in the comments below!

Casting 'Catching': Two actors in talks to play Brutus

Shockya is reporting that they were directly emailed inforation that Victor Gojcaj (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3) is "in negotiations" to portray Brutus, the self-explaining Tribute in the Third Quarter Quell in Catching Fire. Shockya also says that he is up against Kevin Durand (Lost, Robin Hood, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, I Am Number Four, Real Steel). Personally, my pick is Durand. He looks the part for me, and he seems to be more seasoned in action films. I've seen him in Real Steel, Lost, and I Am Number Four, all of which are very action-packed.

So casting seems to be picking up for Catching Fire; we recently reported that Jena Malone is in talks for the role of Johanna Mason, Philip Seymour Hoffman is reportedly sought after for the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, and even Lil' Romeo is 'conversing' with Lionsgate about a role. No word on any casting advancements for Finnick, or any other Tributes for that matter, but you can bet we'll report on them if they come around.

[UPDATED]Zoe Aggeliki and Mia Wasikowska being considered to play Johanna Mason in 'Catching Fire'

Interesting news! The Playlist is reporting that Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, The Kids Are Alright, Jane Eyre) and Zoe Aggeliki (Silena Beauregard in Sea of Monsters) are being considered to play Johanna Mason, Katniss's sort-of-rival, in the film adaptation of Catching Fire. Both casting choices have gone unnoticed by fans, and we really like them! The problem with Zoe being cast, though, is that she's already starring in another big franchise (Percy Jackson), so filming for Catching Fire may conflict with Sea of Monsters, and maybe even a clash between Mockingjay and Titan's Curse.

UPDATE: Mia Wasikowska has denied all rumors that she'd be playing Johanna Mason (sadly), saying that she had made prior commitments to other projects, and that she would be breaching those commitments by working on Catching Fire. Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Jena Malone (Sucker Punch, Pride and Prejudice) is in the running now.

What are your guys' thoughts?

Potter People Podcast #3 - "The One with Marissa Meyer"

In which Isaac and Riley interview Marissa Meyer, New York Times-bestselling author of the Lunar Chronicles, and discuss the latest fandom news, including:

• Beautiful Creatures filming
• Sea of Monsters filming
• Catching Fire casting
• Doctor Who filming
• Poking fun at Twilight, but what else is new?

You can download that episode here!

Rumor: Philip Seymour Hoffman offered role as Plutarch Heavensbee in 'Catching Fire'

According to Hypable, a rumor is floating around that Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Big Lebowski, Moneyball) has been offered the role as the new Head Gamemaker, Plutarch Heavensbee, who later becomes the leader of the anti-Capitol rebellion in the third book. Hypable reports that a man called Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) tweeted about the news, but there is no confirmation from Lionsgate.

What do you guys think about the possibility of Hoffman portraying Heavensbee? I, personally, am not a big fan of the idea, for I pictured Plutarch very Finnick-y in the sense of being tall, slightly less muscular than Finnick, but still handsome and charming. Let us know in the comments below!

Fan Casting: My choices for Finnick and Wiress in 'Catching Fire'

The past few weeks have been studded with news and rumors about who's playing who in the upcoming film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which is obviously the film adaptation of the book, Catching Fire. The second book in Suzanne Collins's beloved Hunger Games trilogy introduces many new, pivotal characters, two of which being Finnick Odair, the handsome Capitol-favorite from District Four, and Wiress, the zany, eerily silent Ravenclaw-type from District Three.

Seemingly the hottest franchise in Hollywood, Catching Fire is the sequel to this year's blockbuster, The Hunger Games, and will be directed by Francis Lawrence, has a completed script by Simon Beaufoy, and will feature the returning roles of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, and Liam Hemsworth as Gale. But perhaps the most highly sought-after role in the film industry right now is that of the green-eyed, sugar-cube hunk, Finnick Odair.

For almost years now, fans have been hitting social networking websites, namely Tumblr, with who they think should play the fictional heartthrob, and so I am going to try my best and provide my analysis on who I think should play Finnick Odair, and I'll even pipe in on my personal choice for the wacky Wiress.

The main three contenders for the seductive sailor were Taylor Kitsch, Garrett Hedlund, and Armie Hammer, for they were, and in some cases still are, believed to be the lead three actors being auditioned by Lionsgate. Kitsch, though, debunked and and all rumors that he'd be playing Finnick, leaving Hedlund and Hammer as the fan-favorites, among other actors.

My choice is:

• Garrett Hedlund
• Armie Hammer

For a while, I was beginning to like the idea of Hedlund (whom I've seen in Tron: Legacy and Country Strong), but then I found Hammer, and Garrett immediately became a shaggy, scrawny guy to me compared to Armie Hammer. 

Hammer, who can be seen in The Social Network, J. Edgar, Mirror Mirror, and the upcoming The Lone Ranger, really personifies my visualization of this beefy, tall, nice-smiled guy who also had this element of classiness, femininity, and real charm to him that Finnick has. I haven't actually seen any of his films, but he really looks the part in my opinion. When I read the book, I always pictured Finnick with the type of up-swept hairstyle that Armie Hammer has, and even that bright smile that Hammer comes close to possessing! I also constantly think of that iconic scene when Finnick is draped in ropes, but is fully nude, and you really have to remember that he's this built, athletic guy, and I've seen Hedlund with no shirt on in Country Strong, and he isn't quite as structured as I'd expect Hammer to be. Sure, Garret Hedlund could hit the gym like Taylor Lautner did, but I'm honestly just really starting to find myself incredibly fascinated by the possibility of Armie portraying my personal favorite Hunger Games character! I mean I was never really able to put a face to my interpretation of Finnick, and Hammer cuts close. I think with a little bit of glisten added to his hair, a heck-lot of teeth whitening, and that tan I know we all have associated with Odair, Armie Hammer could be the perfect Finnick.

I also wanted to bring up my choice for some casting that hasn't really been speculating, and that's for Wiress from District Three. I'm going to kind of jump to the chase here and say that I'm recently picturing...

Rooney Mara as Wiress.

I know, I know, many people are instantly picturing Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (and, admittedly, I also would like to see Mara as Cressida, the tatted reporter in Mockingjay), but when Rooney Mara isn't sporting multiple piercings and tight leather clothes, she's got this really soft, delicate look about her that I envision with Wiress. Sure, Wiress is obviously older than Rooney Mara is, but that's what the makeup department is for. I mean, it's really all about the acting, and Mara is undoubtedly an astounding actress, and she would bring a level of eeriness and emotional attachment to the role of Wiress, in my opinion.

Let me know what you guys think of my casting and my reasoning for my choices in the comments section below! Who do YOU want to see play Finnick, Wiress, and even other CF characters like Plutarch Heavensbee, Beetee, Johanna Mason, and Enobaria!