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Much of the casting for the Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire, is still up in the air, and we’ve hosted a few (rousing) discussions on who should play the seductive yet vulnerable Finnick Odair, which will definitely not be Robert Pattinson and may be Garret Hedlund. Of course, the Finnick role is certainly still up for grabs — and while we all wait for a decision on that note, perhaps it’s best to distract ourselves by wondering who will play the (almost) equally fascinating character of Johanna, the badass District 7 victor who becomes Katniss’ unlikely ally in the third Quarter Quell. A few of the names being floated about for the role are Mia Wasikowska and Zoe Aggeliki; the former being a bit of a surprise and the latter being a relative unknown. Here’s the scoop from The Playlist (via Collider):
With the immense success of this year’s The Hunger Games both critically and commercially, all eyes are on how new director Francis Lawrence will handled the follow-up, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The film is slated to begin production in a few short months, and there are a number of new characters from Suzanne Collins’ second entry in The Hunger Games franchise that will be popping up. Probably the two most important new additions are Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason. We previously heard some iffy rumors regarding actors being considered for the former, but now two intriguing names have popped up as possibilities for the Johanna role: Mia Wasikowska and Zoe Aggeliki.
In order to describe the character of Johanna, I’m gonna have to get into some possible minor spoiler territory for those who haven’t read Catching Fire: there’s another Hunger Games. In all likeliehood, this isn’t a spoiler. Lionsgate will probably be using some of the action oriented scenes from the games in the trailers for Catching Fire, as there aren’t many ‘splosions and fight sequences in the first half of the book. Moreover, the games play only a small part in the context of the larger issues that Katniss has to confront in the story.
Johanna is a fierce competitor in the 75th Hunger Games who becomes Katniss’ ally. She’s sarcastic and quite contentious, and her relationship with Katniss is more akin to a younger sister/older sister rapport. She plays an important role not only in Catching Fire but also in the third and final installment of Collins’ series, Mockingjay, so it goes without saying that casting Johanna is a pretty big deal.
Sources tell The Playlist that both Wasikowska and Aggeliki are “in the mix” for the Johanna part, as Lawrence is said to be considering both big names and lesser talents. The Playlist was the first outlet to report that Gary Ross wouldn’t be returning to direct Catching Fire, so I’m inclined to put considerable weight behind their story. Wasikowska is an exciting prospect as she’s done swell work in films like Jane Eyre and The Kids Are All Right, but Aggeliki is a bona fide newcomer. She has roles in the upcoming pics R.I.P.D. and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, but we haven’t seen her act in anything yet so it’s hard to gauge who would be a better pick for Johanna.
The Playlist adds that both actresses have been in discussions for the part, but Aggeliki could officially sign on in a matter of days. That said, nothing’s certain just yet so Lawrence’s final choice could be someone else entirely. We should hear word soon either way, as production is scheduled to begin immenintley [sic].
[From Collider]
Hmm. No one really knows what kind of an actress Zoe Aggeliki is since she’s mostly got films that are currently still in various phases of production, but she seems to physically fit the bill of tan with wide-set brown eyes. Still, this Zoe chick really reminds me of what Selena Gomez would look like with Angelina Jolie’s lips, and it’s kind of creeping me out. As for Mia, she certainly has the acting chops to pull off the role even though I would have never have thought of her as Johanna, but if Elizabeth Banks can undergo an incredible physical transformation to become Effie Trinket, then I’m sure Mia could do the same and play Johanna.
In slightly related news, here are a few photos of Jennifer Lawrence out for lunch in Santa Monica on 6/23. She’s definitely got her own sense of style, and I’m not sure what to think of that black leather jacket and the dress as a combination, but she pulls it off in a cute way.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet, WENN, and Zoe Aggeliki Fan
Written by Bedhead
Posted in Jennifer Lawrence, Mia Wasikowska, Zoe Aggeliki
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They’re both a little too pretty for the role. They need someone gritty.
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Zoe’s only 18 1/2, to me a bit too young for Johanna. Mia, OTOH, might just work.
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I’d prefer someone who’s not yet famous, but if the choose Wasikowska, I’m fine with it – at least she’s a good actress.
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Mia would be an interesting choise, maybe not how I pictured Johanna but she is talented enough to pull out the role successfully. The other girl is pretty but way too young for Johanna.
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Evan Rachel Wood would be a great choice. She could easily pull off the sarcastic snark of Johanna and physically is a better fit than Zoe Aggeliki. I don’t recall, in the book, Johanna having the physical characteristics of a person from district 12. She was from the logging/timber district (think Pacific Northwest)
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I didn’t really think Jennifer looked the part for Katniss, so I don’t think the producers really care about authenticity in that regard. That said, Zelda Williams looks like Johanna to me.
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MIA!! YES!! I love her!
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I always pictured Mia as Tris from Divergent. I think if she signs up as Johanna there’s no way she’ll do another trilogy. Too bad
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Isn’t Mia a little too old to be Tris? Tris starts off at 16 years old, right? Mia’s look is right but not her age.
Honestly, I don’t think Johanna’s character should be “whitewashed” like Katniss, Gale and Haymitch were. Mia is an amazing actress but are you really saying there are no amazing, darker-skinned actresses available? Johanna isn’t black, but she also isn’t a pale-skinned blonde.
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Haven’t even “mind cast” the film yet so I’ll have to get back to you.
BTW, Jen Lawrence is a very beautiful woman. I usually like her casual attire. This look ain’t the best but, tbh, with her body you got to try real hard to get it real wrong!
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Blah to both choices. I want Naya Rivera!
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Oooh! Didn’t know she was (didn’t recognize the name) but YES! I cosign; she’d be an excellent choice.
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Oh actually she would be great! Who would honestly think of a Glee person but your right. It would be a smart move by the producers, get some of those Gleeks in the seats.
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The gal on the right physically looks the part..
I remember in the book Johanna depends on her physicality to distract and addle the other competitors…ie: getting naked all the time, oiling herself up, etc.
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They’re both too young to play Johanna, in my opinion… I’ve always thought of Johanna as older than Finnick, and he’s 24.
I think Johanna should look quite plain – possibly even a bit rough. Smallish and slender, but mean as a snake. They’d do best looking for an unknown waiting tables or working in an office.
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Kristen Bell is hustling for the part pretty hard also.
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She would be a disaster. If Johanna is anything it’s NOT beady eyed and annoying. I think she’s a horrible actress.
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Johanna is supposed to look physically weak, but basically have the same sexuality as a normal woman in her 20′s, just more attitude to flaunt it with. If Mia can pull off fiesty a**hole, i think the role should go to her
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Joanna is a girl who strips out of her tree costume and walks around naked with nary a flinch. As a matter of fact she gets naked quite regularly. I don’t see that kind of confidence in either of these girls.
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I think Mia might work. In my head I picture Johanna as having a lean, hard, angular look to compliment her hard personality, and Mia’s face seems to have that angularity. I can easily pull up a picture of her looking angry and exasperated in my mind’s eye.
Having said that, after someone mentioned Armie Hammer for Finnick, that’s it. NO ONE would be a better Finnick than Armie. Whoever they choose will end up disappointing me. But I doubt he would do it.
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I love Mia but I don’t see her in the role. I don’t think she has the snark and confidence built in. She always looks a bit scared and Johnna didn’t seem to have that. I remember her as being a much tougher character. She has to be mean and a bit dark and make you want to hate her at first before you see the sadness.
She’s like Finnick in that regard. There is alot of depths to these chars. They have to cast wisely and not focus on looks as the main factor.
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I think Mia is too bland. Plz recommend a performance of hers where she was a spitfire…
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The other girl looks like Taylor Lautner’s sister. Not bright or quickwitted. Sorta pretty but the pillow lips overwhelm her rather ordinary face. Who is she??
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@DSS love your idea of Evan Rachel Wood! I have been racking my brain thinking who would be a great fit and you found it. Am really after my husband to finish book 2 so we can debate casting choices.
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I love Mia but I want her to be Tris in divergent; she can pass as a 16 yr old.
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I love Mia but I want her to be Tris in divergent; she can pass as a 16 yr old.
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