More casting for HUNGER GAMES

We have some new faces to add to the scene of the Hunger Games Cast. Some made me nod, some made me shake my head. But, as with all the other hopeful HG fans, I am waiting until I see the finished product to pass judgement on the director's choices.

Lenny Kravitz as Cinna

Lenny Kravitz as Cinna came as quite a shock to me for some reason. Not in a bad way, though. I think he has the right look to pull it off. But when you are picturing someone like Jude Law, with his charming accent (which would totally fit the climate of the capitol in my opinion) for the part, it's a shocker. But, I don't doubt he will do the part justice. Check him out on YouTube, I think you'll agree.

Donald Sutherland as President Snow

Never been a fan of Donald Sutherland. Don't shoot me, but I think half of it has to do with the fact that he reminds me of someone I used to know who really irritated me =). The other half (again, don't shoot me) was that he acted the part of the father on the most recent Pride and Pred movie and I thought the acting in that version was a complete and utter train wreck. Yes. I said train wreck. It didn't fit the tone of the book whatsoever and the director obviously had no love or respect for the book or author. (He totally sold out. Shame on him!)

With that out of the way, I will again have to see how he plays the part. Since I already think of him as a little creepy/irritating then maybe he is a good choice after all. (Sorry Mr. Sutherland, nothing against you.)

Amber Chaney as Avox girl

When I first saw this picture of her, I thought: Is that Natascha McElhone?? They have such similar eyes. I think Amber must be closer to the correct age, though. No thoughts here. Avox girl wasn't one I thought of to dream cast, so I doubt I will be let down. But she does sort of have that haunting, beautiful look that's nice for the part.

Toby Jones as Claudius Templesmith

(the Games Announcer...over the loudspeaker)

Toby as Claudius Templesmith is awesomeness personified. I think he will be great for the part. Not to sound disrespectful to 'little' people, but it will add to the quirkiness of the capitol. (Man, I hope that didn't sound bad.) I also think he's a great actor. Loved him in EVER AFTER.

 

Brooke Bundy as Octavia

Latarsha Rose as Portia

 I'll talk about Brooke and Latarsha together. Not really much to say, but they look the parts, me thinks. I know I will feel pretty sorry for them in movie number three, though. If you've read the books you know what scene I'm talking about. And if you haven't, I won't spoil it for you.

So, that's all the casting for now. In fact, that is most of the casting if not all for movie number one. I can't think of anyone else they need to pick (except for subsequent films), can you? Looks like they are already filming, which is good because time is a runnin' out. Can't wait! I really hope they have someone good do the special effects. That and the music and cinematography or very important to me in a movie. Especially for this kind of movie.

What do you think of the latest casting? Would you have picked these actors/actresses?

See Katniss come to life. Or: Jennifer Lawrence with brown hair.

Does this look animated to you? Something about it just looks fake...but I guess that's the way all covers are becoming now-a-days, right?

Sorry about the two posts in one day. Sheesh. Some weeks I can't even come up with something interesting today because all the creativity has been sucked dry. But I had to jump on this before it became old news. (Or maybe it already is and I'm slow to see it).

So, it looks like Gary Ross is filming in earnest now. If you click on the link above you can read the whole article, but it sounds like actress, Jennifer Lawrence, is doing some heavy-duty training for her part in the movie. Learning to shoot arrows, etc.

I guess I didn't realize how old she really is. Twenty years old and playing a sixteen year old. That's a far stretch don't you think? I hope they can pull it off.

To sum up the article, Jennifer talks about how strange it is for people showing up at her house all the time, trying on shoes, clothes and messing with her hair. I guess I thought she had this sort of 'trouble' before, in rolls like Mystique in X-Men First Class . But she and Mr. Ross had to laugh and realize that the character of Katniss had to put up with that, too. Good training. In different way.

In another article (same website) it talks about where the movie will be filmed, and where PANEM will come to be. QUOTE:

On the website for the town of Hildebran, N.C., an area about an hour outside of Charlotte, there’s a slogan that reads, “We brag a little… it’s our town.” Soon, Hildebran’s citizens might have something more to boast about: According to local officials, the small town (its population is less than 2,000) is being transformed into the country of Panem for the big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games.

It's funny. You don't realize how movies can take over places, totally transform them. I used to think all movies were in some set in Hollywood. Either that or a completely foreign country. And maybe that used to be the case. Maybe. But just think how this will affect the people of that city. Actually, I think it would be pretty exciting to drive down the street where I live and say, "Hey, look, they are filming today for LOTR." (Yeah, total dream there. Actually, I'd love to live in N.Z. where that movie is being filmed.)

Supposedly the town is a ghost town, abandoned and rural. Which would be perfect for the film.--->

 Anywho, what are your thoughts? Are we all getting more and more excited? Or are there some of you let down by all this craziness?


And PS. Don't forget to check out my review of THE SWEETEST THING below. I posted twice today.

Haymitch Cast

So, what do you all think about this? Woody Harrelson being cast as Haymitch? I am a little surprised, seeing as how there was so much talk going on about John C. Reilly being cast. But I think he will probably do a great job. I originally thought that Tim Robins should have been cast, or that guy from Charmed that played Paige's dad. (Too lazy to look up his name, sorry).

Very sad, though, that NONE of my cast suggestions were taken to heart! (How rude! =) I guess there is still hope for Cinna and The Prez. I can't wait to see who is cast for those parts. Although I'm guessing Ian McKellen will be too busy filming THE HOBBIT to take the part of President Snow. He's better off where he is, though. I'm sure everyone will agree with that.

Looks like they have filled all or most of the Tributes, though. With one who our very own Mary Kole knows personally. (see bottom of that article) And I'm actually really excited about Stanley Tucci being cast as Caesar Flickerman. I have been a big fan of his ever since Pelican Breif. He is a terrific actor, very versatile.

What do you think? Now that this thing is mostly cast, are you happy with the choices? And who do you think will play the remaining roles?

The Hunger Games Frenzy: Filmmakers deffend their choices

Let the casting frenzy begin.

Yesterday I was woefully tardy in making a post about the news of Josh Hutcherson being cast as Peeta and Liam Hensworth being cast as Gale in the Hunger Games movie. Which is something I have been checking for since I found out this awesome series was going to be made into a movie. So, let's see if I can add to the gazillion of posts already out there on the subject.

Today, The Los Angeles Times shared the thoughts of the filmmakers, or rather their explanation of why they chose who they did to play the parts of Gale and Peeta. It is as I suspected, that these actors were chosen for their acting ability (despite what crying fans are saying) rather than their natural ability to look like the characters in said book.

Now, I admit I wasn't overly excited when I heard any of these casting choices (based on looks). But I think most, if not all, will admit that acting ability should come before looks alone. I for one am still excited to see how this turns out. Even though Josh Hutcherson doesn't come off as an obvious Peeta for me and many others, I allow this to be the fault of his past movie-making career as a child actor. (Sometimes it's really hard to let these guys grow up, eh? I still see him as a kid). But I can see how he could do justice to the part.

As for Liam, well, with a name like that, you can't go wrong. (**cough** my son's name is William, aka Liam**cough**) I actually haven't seen him act so I don't know what to expect, but I'm sure with a little hair-dye he could be a great Gale. Which goes for Jennifer Lawrence as well. The more I think about her, the more I know she will be awesome in this part.

So, bring it. What are your thoughts?  (if you haven't already shared them ad nasium on other blogs already...or really even if you have I'd like to hear)



PS. Am I the only one late in realizing Jennifer Lawrence was also cast as Mystique in X-Men First Class? Interesting. See, she can morph into the correct look, oui?

Pss. Take a look at Nathan Bransford's blog on virtual witch hunts before sharing desparaging comments. I thought this was a great lesson for everyone. Even those not trying to break into the writing profession, or any profession at all. 'It's nice to be nice to the nice' as my daddy used to say. But really, shouldn't we be nice to everyone?

Director Gary Ross discusses adapting The Hunger Games - JoBlo.com

I couldn't help but continue my talk on the HUNGER GAMES topic. I checked IMDB for more info. and found that Gary Ross, the director of BIG and PLEASANTVILLE is directing the movie adaptation of the book. One thing that struck me (and of which I am extremely well pleased) is that he isn't planning on making this an R rated film. (I have that part in red below). This is a wise step. The audience, yes, will be larger, but there is too much gore in the theaters and television these days in my oppinion. It also looks like he is interested in seeing no-namer play Katniss. So, I can't wait to see who they bring in.



Director Gary Ross discusses adapting The Hunger Games - JoBlo.com


by: Dave Davis Jan. 9, 2011



THE HUNGER GAMES movies are poised to become the next TWILIGHT SAGA-sized success. At least that's what the studio and filmmakers are hoping, and the future young (yet-to-be-found) cast would surely like a slice of the attention that vampire franchise's stars have seen.

Director Gary Ross (BIG, PLEASANTVILLE, SEABISBUIT) is hard at work adapting Suzanne Collins' young adult book series, and is seemingly quite aware of appeasing the material's millions of existing fans. In the latest issue of EW, Ross gives some updates on how he's going about that:


On the look of the film:

"A lot of [young fans] talked about 'Don't mess with the colors.' I think they didn't want me to pump it full of contrast or desaturate the movie or make it gratuitously edgy in a visual way. I think kids are hipper to cliches than we are sometimes."

On finding the right actors:

"I've read in the press that there are front-runners, but that's not the case. We'll cast the right person for the part. Lionsgate has been great in that they don't feel that this needs a movie star in Katniss' role."

On the budget:

"I'm not allowed to confirm budget number, but I will say it's enough money to make the movie well and not disappoint a single fan."

On the book's genetically altered creatures, the Muttations:

"Obviously they're one of the larger technical challenges, but they will be animated CG characters."

On the rating and handling the book's violence:

"It's not going to be an R-rated movie because I want the 12- and 13- and 14-year-old fans to be able to go see it. This book means too much to too many teenagers for it not to be PG-13. It's their story and they deserve to be able to access it completely. And I don't think it needs to be more extreme than that."

The first movie is expected some time in 2012. The books are set in a near future where "the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch."

Giving in to the Cast Buzz: DREAM CASTING

I'm jumping on the fan badwagon today listing my top picks for the cast of the HUNGER GAMES movie (which will come out who knows when. Some say the end of the year, some say 2013). You can name this week HUNGER GAMES week for me.

I've been looking at other people's choices for the cast and it just gets me all the more excited to pick my own choices (to, you know, set these weirdos straight! JK). For some of them I picked a couple because I liked more than one person for these rolls.

So, without further ado, I give you the CAST:

Katniss Everdeen:


Emily Browning                                       
                     

              

SKYLER SAMUELS

OR
 

 

        VICTORIA JUSTICE

Sticking with her family, I would pick MOTHER EVERDEEN to be:

                                                                     Rose Byrne



PRIM:

                                                           

                  OR

Elle Fanning                                                                  Peyton List

I'm leaning toward Peyton here for the gorgeous brown eyes. Plus, Katniss always says that Rue reminds her of Prim and in the twisted way my mind works this makes more sense.

GALE:
okay, so he's a bit teeny bit too old for Gale, but I was having THE hardest time finding someone for this part.

                                                                   Adam Gregory



PEETA:

Well, I tried and tried and couldn't find anyone who I would like to see play Peeta...so let's just say a no-namer.



HAYMITCH:

   

                                                                      Tim Robbins

I think he would work great in this role. I was also thinking of the guy who plays SAM on Charmed ( if you watch it, you'll know why. He is great at playing a drunk. And if you're not familiar with the character, it is the sister's mom's white lighter)


EFFIE:

                                                                 Kristin Chenoweth



RUE:

                                                                 WILLOW SMITH

She may be a bit young, but I think she could pull it off. Especially if this movie took a year or two to make =). Am I right?


CINNA:

                                                                      JUDE LAW


I can totally see Jude Law in some gold metalic eye liner, can't you?


AND NOW LADIES AND GENTS FOR THE PRESIDENT:

                                                                      Ian McKellen


Of course they describe the president as someone who gets a ton of plastic surgery, so I don't know if Ian would be up for the primping here, but he IS one of the most wonderful actors of all time and would be fabu as that character.

I can't wait to see who they really pick. I would bet there will be a lot of no namers as the main characters which I would actually love to see. And I can't wait to see the set and costume designs. This book suggests a high creativity level. I'm thinking they will need runway designers here, folks. And the set has such a vast array of situations, both rich and poor, I think it would be so fun to design.

So, what are your picks? Any ideas? Are any of you reading this/excited for the movie?

Book Review : THE HUNGER GAMES

THE HUNGER GAMES

Okay, I think I read this entire series in about a week. That is saying something already about how great it is. Before I go into the review, however, let's take a look at the blurbs:  (Some Spoilers ahead)

COULD YOU SURVIVE ON YOUR OWN, IN THE WILD, WITH EVERYONE FIGHTING AGAINST YOU?


 The Hunger Games


Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.


In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

CATCHING FIRE

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Suzanne Collins continues the amazing story of Katniss Everdeen in Catching Fire, the second novel of the phenomenal Hunger Games trilogy.
 
 
 
 
 
 

MOCKINGJAY
 
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First, I have to say, this series wasn't what I expected it would be. Suzanne Collins has created a very believable world in these books. Panem is something I would imagine our world would be like if Hitler had risen to power and taken over. Where half the population is forced into workcamp-like cities, living in terrible circumstances to work for the Capitol. They slave away in a world where looking out for others and hunting for extra food for your starving family are frequently punishable crimes. Katniss Everdeen defies the government in her own secret way by sneeking off the forest with Gale Hawthorn, her best friend, killing game to provide for her family and trading in secret to the leniant authorities of District 12. But when her sister's name is drawn for the Hunger Games, a dispicable form of entertainment the Capitol indulges in which reminds the Districts that they are being punished for an uprising some 75 years previous, she steps up to go in her place. She knows she will most likely die, but the love of her sister pushes her forward.
 
We are taken into an unfair relm where innocent teens must fight to the death. Because if they don't fight each other, they will be killed anyway and their families will be punished. The capitol takes the teens chosen (Tributes they are called) and shows them off in a horrifyingly rediculous manner. They are primped up and paraded around town, interviewed, and trained all for the entertainment of the spoiled masses of the Capitol. This all reminds me somewhat to the Olympics. A very sadistic Olympics. People cheer their favorite tributes, can even sponsor them, but in the end there can be only one winner.
 
A love triangle in woven through the horror of these books between Katniss and two guys. Peeta and Gale. She leaves you guessing the entire series as to who she will chose. This was hard for me to read. I know it is neccessary and great reading when the MC has character flaws, but Katniss is pretty low at some moments, stringing along both guys when she doesn't know who to love or if she can even love. When loving means marriage and marriage means children and having children means that someday you may have to see them enter the Hunger Games. Not a fate she wants to experience. But the poor guys rally through it =).
 
So...(spoiler alert) The Hunger Games have to stop. And in the third book you see a war plotted between the rebels and the capitol. Katniss has become the unwitting face of the rebelion and is under constant attack. Secrets about President Snow are revealed and in the end you are still not sure what will happen. There is a surprise twist and then a twist upon the twist that leaves you breathless throughout. Like others I couldn't put these books down. If you are squeemish these books are not for you. But I must confess I thought they were going to be a whole lot more grotesque in parts and Suzanne gives you just enough to horrify you, but doens't go over the top (much to my pleasure). I was so close to not reading these because I thought they would be too much for me to handle, and I must admit that through reading the first two books I had nightmares each night I read (Geez!). But now that I have finished the entire series I can say it was worth it.
 
Suzanne Collins' style of writing is crisp and to the point. No flowery prose, but the prose sure make you think. She is great at reminding us at every turn what is at stake (something I need to work on in my writing) and why Katniss' situation is indeed so dire. You feel the tension every step of the way. Even when you think Katniss is safe some other form of terror rears its ugly head.
 
So, if you haven't read this series, follow the link above and get your copies now. But be prepared for a wild ride!