THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE - CASTING RUMOURS

With The Hunger Games: Catching Fire earmarked to start filming soon, and extras being cast as we speak, the casting rumours for the new main characters are heating up.

Keeping in mind that blonde, fair-skinned Jennifer Lawrence was cast to play olive-skinned brunette, Katniss Everdeen, en brunette Josh Hutcherson was cast to play fair-haired Peeta Mellark, physical appearance of the actors doesn't have to be a deciding factor. 

This week Acting-Auditions.org has officially announced that the Catching Fire casting director is looking to fill the new character roles, the most important of which, I think, are:

Johanna Mason, female, sarcastic and often cruel victor from District 7.

Fan favourites include Naya Rivera (Glee), Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls) and Lyndsy Fonseca (Nikita).  I would love to see Lyndsy Fonseca in this role!

Beetee and Wiress, an older couple, dark hair, pale skin from District 3, very smart.  Fan favourites for Beetee include John Malkovich (Red), Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park) and Hank Azaria (Friends).  I think Jeff Goldblum might be perfect for this one.

As for Wiress, fan favourites include Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd), Winona Ryder (Girl Interrupted) and Jane Adams (Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind).  Personally I’d go for Jane Adams. 

Finnick Odair, male, mid-20′s, very handsome, tall, tan skin, bronze hair, green eyes.

Fan favourites are Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy), Armie Hammer (The Social Network), Zac Effron (The Lucky One) and Garret Hedlund (Country Strong).  I’d also consider someone like Channing Tatum – that’s how I pictured Finnick.

As for Mags, there's only one choice, right?  Betty White!!!

Of course Plutarch Heavensbee, Head Gamemaker of the 75th Annual Hunger Games also has to be cast.  Fan favourites include Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeff Bridges, Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman and Oliver Platt.  Personally I'd go with Oliver Platt.

No official casting news yet, but it will sure be interesting to see whether the studio will, again, fill the roles with relatively unknown actors, or whether they will bank on the success of The Hunger Games and reel in some big names.