The Hunger Games has picked up five new actors in light of rumours of filming starting very soon. Joining Josh, Jennifer and Liam in the Arena will be: Ian Nelson and Kalia Prescott from District 3 and Ethan Jamieson and Tara Macken from District 4; the role of Effie Trinket, insufferably perky pink-haired escort, has gone to Elizabeth Banks. As well as the previous confirmed castings, the role of Haymitch has reportedly been offered to John C. Reilly (he and Josh previously acted alongside each other in The Vampire’s Assistant).
First, the oldish (but now newish!) news regarding Elizabeth Banks. She’s officially in as District 12 escort Effie Trinket! After a Twitter tease earlier in the day, in which she quoted one of Effie’s lines from Suzanne Collins’ novel, Lionsgate and Elizabeth (via Twitter, natch) confirmed the news. “Yes! And I can now confirm I’m EFFIE TRINKET in @TheHungerGames. So excited!,” she wrote.
In other Panem news, fishing-focused District 4 has found its (unnamed) tributes: Meet Ethan Jamieson and Tara Macken. Ethan’s credits thus far include an appearance on “One Tree Hill” as Kid #2 (surely you remember him?) and the TV movie “The Rusty Bucket Kids: Lincoln, Journey to 16.” Tara’s resume is quite a bit more robust and resembles that of co-star Kalie Prescott—they’re both stunt women. Tara’s also made appearances as an actress on “Sons of Anarchy,” “Victorious” and “Hawaii Five-0.” More at the source.
They may go unnamed in Suzanne Collins’ dystopian thriller, but now you can put faces (and names!) to the actors portraying District 3’s tributes: Meet Ian Nelson and Kalia Prescott! The duo will represent Panem’s electronics-producing region (a background that comes in handy for the male tribute during the Games). As you can guess, since neither tribute is named, these two don’t play a huge part in the frenzied fight, but as I’ve alluded, you’ll want to keep your eye on Ian’s character, for sure. More at the source.
Who plays a paunchy, pathetic drunk better than John C. Reilly? Actually, that’s a bit of a trick, because the answer, of course, is no one. And for that reason, we’re told it will be the Oscar-nominated Reilly who’ll be soon be getting the offer to play Haymitch Abernathy in the forthcoming adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games at Lionsgate Films. More at the source.
