For the past few weeks, Hunger Games fans have been speculating about who would play District 4 tribute, Finnick Odair (you can read TJ’s article about him here). While everyone’s thoughts have been on Finnick, news broke Monday that Philip Seymour Hoffman has been offered the role of Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee in the sequel, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Plutarch replaces Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) as Head Gamemaker in the books ‘Catching Fire’ and ‘Mockingjay’ when Seneca is killed by bowl of nightlock berries.
Does Hoffman Fit?
Athtough there’s very little physical description of Plutarch in the books, I have always imagined him as more of a heavy-set, strict but happy type. In his career, Hoffman has played a wide variety of characters (everything from a tornado chasing scientist in Twister, to a sadistic arms dealer in Mission Impossible: III), so I have no doubt that Hoffman can make this character his own. If he accepts this role, he will be joining the already star-studded cast including Woody Harrelson (Haymitch), Donald Sutherland (President Snow), Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket) and Lenny Kravitz (Cinna).
My Top 3
I have to admit, Hoffman wasn’t my first choice to play Plutarch in the film. But the more I think about it, the more I like him as the character. I think the role would fit him perfectly. However, if Hoffman doesn’t accept the role, these are my top three choices for Plutarch Heavensbee:
Oliver Platt (Love and Other Drugs)
Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)
Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter)
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire continues the adventures of Katniss Everdeen as she prepares for the Quarter Quell. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth have signed on to reprise their roles from The Hunger Games (Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, and Gale Hawthorne respectively). With new director Francis Lawrence at the helm, Catching Fire is scheduled to begin filming this fall for release on November 22, 2013.
Your Turn
Who would you like to see as Plutarch Heavensbee in Catching Fire? Let us know in the comments below.
