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Last week, we reported that Sam Claflin and his dreadful pants were “the choice” for the Finnick Odair role in Catching Fire — and the response was mixed at the very least and definitely not the overwhelmingly positive one for Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee. Now here’s some more news that I imagine will not be universally embraced since several of you expressed displeasure at the mere rumor that Jena Malone was very close to being the chosen actress for the Johanna Mason role. Well now Lionsgate has confirmed that Jena has formally signed on to play Johanna. Are you surprised, disgusted, or meh?
It’s official: Lionsgate announced this morning that Jena Malone has signed on to play Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Malone is the third new actor to formally join the Hunger Games franchise, following Philip Seymour Hoffman (as Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee) and Amanda Plummer (as tribute Wiress).
EW first reported last month that Malone was in the running for the pivotal role. (Some basic plot SPOILERS follow from here.) In Catching Fire, Johanna is one of the former winning tributes selected, along with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), for the Quarter Quell. A citizen of the lumber-based District 7, Johanna’s quite handy with an ax, and possesses what Katniss calls, in Suzanne Collins’ book, “a wicked ability to murder.”
A professional actress since she was 12 years old, Malone, 27, has starred in Sucker Punch, The Messenger, Into the Wild, and Contact. She last appeared the History miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will start shooting later this year with director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend). It’s set to open on Nov. 22, 2013.
[From EW]
Up until this point, I honestly didn’t possess a very strong impression of Jena Malone except to think that she was serviceable in The Messenger and merely as ridiculous as the rest of the Sucker Punch production. However, Lainey has a theory that Jena purposely leaked the news that she was the frontrunner for the Johanna role in order to create online buzz and “prove to the director and the studio that people were excited and she’d be well received.” And I guess it worked. She’s crafty. Uh … go internet?
Photos courtesy of WENN
Written by Bedhead
Posted in Jena Malone, Sam Claflin
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I’m not really a fan but I’ll hold judgement until after I see the movie (or finish Catching Fire, whichever comes first)
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I pictured her to be tougher looking.. but I’m not totally disappointed by this choice. I am interested to see how she will play this.
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+1
I like Jenna. I did picture a tougher girl but I’m confident Jenna can pull off the Bitchface. I feel as though she needs to have a shaved head for some reason. I’m not sure why I interrupt Johanna with very short hair but I do.
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Well, she’d have to appear weak since that’s how she won the Games – she made herself appear much weaker, then killed everyone at the end.
I think she’ll be alright. Honestly, of all the characters, I really hope Annie is chosen well (and I don’t want her to be another Madge).
I’m not so sure she leaked the info herself – I though around Comic Con it was Josh who said Jena Malone was cast or something. That’s what I saw going around on Tumblr, at least, that Lionsgate was pretty hush hush about it, but then Josh let it slip in an interview.
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Personally, I’m more a fan of Jena than I am of Lainey so I tend to disregard her various theories.
I was really hoping Kristen Bell would get this because she does crazy/damaged very convincingly. I remember thinking Jena was a bit OTT in the Hatfield-McCoy miniseries but that may have been the accent she used. I’m sure she’ll be good in this!
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I wanted K Bell to play Johanna, too. I know she really, really wanted the part.
But I like Jena, and I think I can get behind her casting, but she isn’t how I pictured Johanna looking. Obviously, they’ve done a good job physically transforming people, though.
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You’re right, once she’s in character as Joanna she’ll probably seem more suited to the role.
Then again, I also thought they’d make some attempt to hide Josh Hutcherson’s real height…
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She totally I over-acted in Hatfield and McCoys (s/n how hot was Jonesey?!?!) K Bell is such a fangirl. I wanted her to get it too!!
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I love how she’s such a fangirl! ONE OF US, etc.
I could not believe Jonesy was the same guy from that cheerleading show whose hair was like 70% of his body. Although I think I swooned over Ellison Hatfield the most. Damn my redhead attraction!
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Did she ever!? She was the worst part of that miniseries by far.
Oh hell yes, Jonsey was a hottie!
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Yay..I’ve always loved her since I saw her in Stepmom. She was so good in that movie.
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She’s a good choice. and looks very good with short hair. I’m excited to see her as Johanna!
Still hyperventilating/angsting over Sam Claflin as Finnick though. WHY, LIONSGATE, WHY? WHY NOT GARRETT HEDLUND?!!!
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Gosh, the casting for this movie has just been the worst. JLaw must have been an incredible stroke of luck.
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She was in my personal top picks…but she’s honestly not a bad pick.
And Amanda Plummer was cast as Wiress, which you neglected to mention in your post.
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We covered Nuts and Volts casting last week.
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Yes, but in this post Sam Claflin and PSH are mentioned. AGAIN.
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BTW I meant to type that she WASN’T in my top picks….but I dont mind her.
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Plummer is mentioned in the excerpt included in the post
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I could never be a writer on a site like this.
Not only because have no discernible talent for it, but also because I just could not deal daily with the bitch posts like Marianne’s.
AGAIN.
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Well it is CeleBITCHY afterall. Sorry I didn’t see her mention Plummer. I just thought it was odd that she mentioned PSH and Sam Claflin but not the other person confirmed.
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She doesn’t look like she could wield an ax. (My aunt was a lumberjack in Oregon for quite awhile, and let me tell you, SHE could wield an ax. And she looked it!)
If that milquetoast is cast as Finnick, I won’t be seeing the remaining two movies.
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I really don’t mind Jena as an actress, I liked her in Saved and Into the Wild. However I’m pretty disappointed in this casting.
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I always assumed that Johanna was an older woman, not old but at least a decade older than Katniss. Did it mention in the book her age? I have to admit I do have a habit of skipping parts when I read…
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Joanna is supposed to be like 23.
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Katniss remembers watching Johanna the year she won the hunger games, so she’s not that much older. 23 is a good guess.
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The idea was that johanna won her games by pretending to be weak and then turning out to be ruthless. i think that completely fits every impression ive had of Jenna Malone. cute bitch. just like that lol.
But for the love of everything sacred PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE not Sam Caflin. i wouldnt look twice at him. wait for it guys….Tom Hardy? HA!
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Tom Hardy. Guh. I like the cut of your jibe, but he’s too old, and possibly too beefy. He’s been playing such intense characters lately, it’s hard to picture him as young and flirty/roguish — maybe Inception was the closest he got to that?
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Tom Hardy is insanely hot, but not in the “pretty boy”-Finnick way. He’s be a great Brutus of Boggs though.
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Lol I just think his lips are everything i wanted Finnick’s to be. Think ladies, who else has juicy lips? lol
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Shame! I wanted K Bell for Johanna.
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I think she’s a good choice in some regards. I think she can pull off the tough bitch but sad vulnerable. However, I assumed Johanna was a bit older? I pictured her closer to her 30s? Is that wrong?
I have to say I’ve loved alot of the castings. I’m STILL not a fan of Peeta. He just seems more like her brother than a lover. I can’t see them together at all but he grew on me a little during the movie. However, most of the casting has been solid so I’ll trust them this is good too.
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I don’t know the movie trilogy or whatever but Jenna is a very talented actress. She isn’t tabloid fodder and I don’t see why she doesn’t get better roles
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I think she’ll do well as Johanna
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I can’t really say I’m excited about her as Johanna. She’ll probably do a fine job but I’m not jumping up and down at the casting… *shrugs*
I would have loved to see Mila Kunis in the role (but she’s a busy girl obviously!). I also really liked the idea of Lydnsy Fondseca or Naya Rivera as well.
As for Sam Claflin, he’s not exactly a guy I’d pay to have sex with, you know? (and isn’t Finnick prostituted out in the Capitol?)
But, hey, maybe he does it for the rest of you?
Garrett Hedlund or Jesse Williams would have been heaven for me!
I am terribly excited to see Philip Seymour Hoffman in action though! Best casting decision ever!
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She’ll always be Lydia Bennet to me but I’ll see how she does as Johanna. Super excited about Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch!
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I think Jena Malone is a damn awesome actress and she deserves a lot of possibilities. Go Jena!
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Plus a million!
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That’s really exciting!
I’ve always loved her. She’s a great actress and I can see her bringing a lot to the role. I never even knew she was in the running or thought of the possibility but it’s perfect!
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I thought she was the worst part of Pride and Prejudice and Hatfield’s and McCoy’s, but thought she was great when she was younger. I really loved her in Stepmom and even in Donnie Darko, even though she kind of overacted and sucked in that movie too. Ugh, I don’t know. I don’t think it matters. Joanna really isn’t that important.
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I don’t think that she’s right for the role of Johanna. I’m not saying the Jena isn’t a good actress; she’s not bad, from what I’ve seen her in.
I also pictured Johanna as older…at the very least, old enough to look older than Katniss!
Actually, even though I know that she’s likely too old to play the role now, I had sort of envisioned Alyssa Milano when I read the books.
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I’m just excited to see Jena getting some good roles. Go back and watch some of her movies from when she was younger. She has a lot of talent, but I’m not sure what happened, maybe school because she disappeared for awhile.
She may not be my favorite choice for the role, but I know she’ll do it well, adn that’s what matters. I also like that they are keeping true not hiring a bunch of huge names for the main roles. Minus Jennifer, the rest weren’t exactly super well known prior to the movie coming out. It helps suspend reality while watching.
I am interested in Finnick, apparently I’m in the minority with Sam. I think he’s pretty for sure, but I’ve only ever seen him in the Pirates movie so I’m not sure if he can carry it. But Hedlund only does it for me in certain situations. Surely there’s got to be another guy or two we can throw in the running? How about Gosling? I’d pay for it!
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I know someone has to have said this before but YES Gosling would be PERFECT. Tan, muscular, broody but charming. YESSS. Can we start a petition. Because i REFUSE to let this Cauflin guy get it. He ruined any sex appeal he had with those pants.
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Ryan Gosling would never do it though. He’s an A-Lister now. He doesn’t need to be some supporting actor in a franchise now.
My first choice is Armie Hammer.
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I’ve never been impressed with her acting, and I don’t really think she has the ruthlessness to pull it off, but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and hope she proves me wrong.
Moving on, are there any rumors on Coin? I have to say I was very disappointed that Donald Sutherland was cast as Snow. I know that’s going to get me a lot of hate. Don’t get me wrong, Donald Sutherland is an amazing actor. I just don’t think his President Snow is creepy enough. Coin better be a stone-cold, self-serving bitch.
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My vote is for Tilda Swinton as Coin.
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I would love to see Meryl Streep channel her devil wears prada and Coin it up. It would be fantastic.
Please, Meryl
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I don’t care for her. Never have. Meh.
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Love this choice.
Crazy bitch. <—- She plays that role well. Great in Donnie Darko, Cheaters, Life as a House.
Even in Pride & Prejudice she creeped me out.
I have no problem imagining her wielding axes. Girl looks deceptively sweet.
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Good pick. Jena is a good actress and plays “troubled” woman well. Now if they do not screw up Finnick! LOL.
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LOVE it! Jena is very underrated I think. I’m sure she’ll play a great Johanna.
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i think she’s a definitely a good choice for johanna. in the book she’s supposed to look unassuming. i like jena malone as an actress, too.
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I’m probably not going to see the next movie tbh. The film’s been so efficiently whitewashed I can’t be bothered to give an eff.
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Jena is an incredible actress. Check out Dangerous Lives of Altar boys, Saved, Cold Mountain & many others if you aren’t convinced.
I love that she has seemingly shied away from the big budget Hollywierd box office crap
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