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Philip Seymour Hoffman as the New Gamemaker in 'Catching Fire'?

by Ethan Anderton
June 11, 2012
Source: Deadline, Variety

Though we heard that Garrett Hedlund, Taylor Kitsch and Armie Hammer were the frontunners to take the pivotal role of Finnick Odair, a former victor of The Hunger Games brought into the Third Quarter Quell in the sequel Catching Fire, it doesn't sound like any of them will snag the role. Kitsch has taken himself out of the running, and producer Nina Jacobson has said that the choices haven't been narrowed down at all yet. However, another role seems to have a specific name lined up as Deadline and Variety have two different reports saying Philip Seymour Hoffman has been offered the role of Plutarch Heavensbee. Who now?

Well, without giving anything away, Plutarch Heavensbee is the new gamemaker for the Third Quarter Quell at the next Hunger Games after Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) proved that he wasn't quite ready for that responsibility by allowing Katniss Everdeen's defiance of the Capitol at the end of the last Hunger Games. Heavensbee is an integral character in Catching Fire whose actions resonate through the entire second book and even the series. Again, we won't spoil anything, but fans know just how important Heavensbee is to the story, and Hoffman is perfect casting for the role.

However, it just might be shooting for the moon as Hoffman rarely takes on high profile projects like this, especially in franchises. Of course, he took on an amazing villain role in Mission: Impossible 3, and had a nice supporting turn on Red Dragon (a film from Brett Ratner of all people) so anything is possible. My fingers are crossed that he accepts and makes an already great cast even better, but if not, maybe Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Oliver Platt or Jared Harris is available? Any other suggestions?

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