Jena Malone Reaped for Catching Fire and Mockingjay

This article was originally featured on Word of the Nerd Online on July 8, 2012.

Not long ago, we brought word that Jena Malone was being considered for a role as District 7 tribute Johanna Mason, a character that features prominently in both Catching Fire and Mockingjay. While several actresses were being considered for the role, among them Mia Wasikowska and model/actress Zoe Aggeliki, Entertainment Weekly reports that Lionsgate has officially offered the Sucker Punch actress Malone the part of Mason. Her career is extremely diverse, as she as appeared in Donnie Darko, Saved!, and most recently The Hatfields and McCoys mini-series on History.

 Mason is the last surviving female tributes from District 7. The year she won, which is not told in the books, she pretended to be weak and feigned hunger and fatigue in an attempt to overcome her opponents, which she did rather ruthlessly. Katniss Everdeen, protagonist of The Hunger Games and District 12 tribute, described Johanna as having a wicked ability to murder. She is cunning and sarcastic, but eventually proves to be a formidable ally to Katniss and Peeta as the series continues.

With filming set to begin in September, the time is drawing near to finish assembling the cast that will carry the rest of the series. While the novel Catching Fire provides very little in the way of character development, perhaps director Francis Lawrence has an opportunity to cast figures dynamic enough to hold their own, but not overshadow the primary cast. Weeds actor Hunter Parrish is being considered for Finnick Odair of District 4.

Hunger Games News: New Trailer, China Glaze, and Capitol Couture!

With less than 50 days until the premiere of the much-anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, Lionsgate has really ramped up their advertisement. On Thursday, a second trailer went live and was shown tonight during the Super Bowl. It features much more of the story than the teaser or first trailer showed including Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteering for The Hunger Games for her sister, a portion of her interview with Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci), as well as Lenny Kravitz's Cinna pinning the Mockingjay pin to her uniform. I happened to see the first theatrical trailer on the big screen for the first time and I must say that it looks simply wonderful.

 

It would seem that movie tie-in nail polish is something quite popular now, with Twilight and The Muppets being among the movies that have seen their own versions. It was recently announced that the brand China Glaze would market a brand of fingernail polish based on The Hunger Games and they are now available for pre-order! There will be twelve colors in the Capitol Colours line which represent an aspect of each district. Among the polishes to choose from are Luxe and Lush, Stone Cold, and Fast Track. The colors range from flashy to neutral and would be a perfect accompaniment to any of the fine Capitol fashions. I'm hoping my local Ulta store will be carrying the polish and I'll give a proper review when it is released!

Speaking of which, a new fashion zine straight from the Capitol has gone online. Capitol Couture features the most stylish citizens of Panem as well as rumors and gossip about the 74th annual Hunger Games. The premiere issue showcases the ever so stylish Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), one of District 12's mentors as well as the face of the China Glaze nail polish line. Effie is a definite balance to Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), District 12 mentor and winner of the 50th Hunger Games. You can sign up for the mailing list to have each issue of Capitol Couture delivered to your mailbox.

Whether you've read the books or not, this movie does not look like it's going to disappoint. The odds are in our favor on March 23 when the movie releases, as there will be a special one week engagement in IMAX! Tickets go on sale February 22.

What district do you think you would live in? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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