Philip Seymour Hoffman Offered Role As Plutarch Heavensbee In 'Catching Fire'

News

by Kevin Jagernauth
June 11, 2012 9:31 PM
5 Comments

Well, the folks at Lionsgate are nothing if not ambitious. With big names like David Cronenberg, Alfonso Cuaron and Alejandro Gonzalez all on their wishlist to fill the director's chair for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" after Gary Ross exited, they've since settled on Francis Lawrence. But there's still some casting to be done on the sequel and they're taking another big swing and hoping it'll connect.

The eagle eyes at Bleeding Cool have noticed that both Deadline and Variety have dropped the little nugget that the studio wants Philip Seymour Hoffman for the role of Plutarch Heavensbee in the sequel. Who is this character? Since this writer never read the books, to The Hunger Games Wiki we go! Essentially, he's the new Gamemaker after Seneca Crane gets executed after the events of "The Hunger Games." This makes us pretty depressed we won't be treated to more wicked facial hair from Wes Bentley, but we suppose Hoffman isn't a bad upgrade. At all. But that's only if he takes the part...

....And we kind of doubt that will happen. Generally speaking, Hoffman doesn't go the franchise route, though "Mission: Impossible III" and "Red Dragon" are the exceptions to the rule. We suppose he could possibly be swayed but something tells us the allure of Francis Lawrence isn't all that great. But then again neither is Brett Ratner, so who knows. And it's just as likely that the appeal of working with folks like Jennifer Lawrence and Woody Harrelson could counter that. Guess we'll have to see.

But for now, we'll wait as the studio is still deciding on their Finnick Odair as well. Decisions will come soon as the film is slated to shoot this fall with a November 22, 2013 release date pegged.

News

More: Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

5 Comments

| Reply
AS | June 12, 2012 7:53 AMReply

After doing a film like The Master, I doubt he'd immediately turn to a popcorn flick.
Kim | June 12, 2012 1:09 AMReply

I still would've preferred him as Haymitch. I thought Woody Harrelson was great as Haymitch, but the way he was described (he had the dark hair like people from the Seam had with a beer gut), isn't Woody. I thought Phillip had that "I've been beaten down, wrecked by the system, so eff the system" look. He has sad eyes (and I know he doesn't have the dark hair). With Woody as Haymitch I was always expecting him to ask Katniss or Peeta if they'd like a hit off his Capitol weed bong. I get the same vibe from Matthew McConaughey.
YING YANG TWINS | June 11, 2012 9:56 PMReply

Woody Harrelson, J. Law, and PSH in the same film? AWESOME EXPLOSION! Now only if those two squirrely looking dudes could be dropped... J Hutch and Miley's fiancee.
Carl | June 11, 2012 9:35 PMReply

Silly names like this are one of the reasons I've avoided this whole series in both book and film versions. That said I think Hoffman would be better suited to the role of Col. Finnias T. Flubberbunch, who doesn't show up until the third book.
jb | June 11, 2012 10:45 PM

wait this is really funny. but honestly if a book sounds compelling and the film trilogy has considerable talent, why not try it? the books are about a different world, its fantasy, so chill. i mean, lord of the rings, harry potter, etc etc. they have crazy ass names, too.