Jena Malone is Officially our Johanna Mason in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

After the long wait, we now have an official confirmation from Lionsgate that Jena Malone is cast as Johanna Mason! Have you noticed that they have the same initials? (Philip Hoffman has also the same initials with Plutarch Heavensbee). Anyway, Josh Hutcherson was able to spill some casting stuff when he was asked by an Access Hollywood reporter. He mentioned that Jena Malone is amazing when asked about the new cast in Catching Fire. You can see that video here. If I'm not mistaken that trigger the premature announcement for the Johanna actress. Honestly, I was expecting that casting news about the important characters like Johanna and Finnick will be announced later than the others. 

Here's Lionsgate's official press release:

Santa Monica, CA, July 23, 2012- Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE are pleased to announce that Jena Malone has been cast in the role of Johanna Mason in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel Catching Fire.  Johanna Mason is a female victor from a past Games still in her early twenties, and is one of the youngest, but also one of the most psychologically scarred Quarter Quell participants. 

Malone recently starred opposite Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton in the History Channel's Emmy® nominated mini-series Hatfields & McCoys.  The mini-series broke cable records and is the new most-watched entertainment telecast of all time on cable. Her additional credits include Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch, Oren Moverman's The Messenger, and Sean Penn's Into the Wild.  She will soon begin production on Lonely Hunter.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark.   Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts.  Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75^th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has over 50 million copies in print in the U.S. alone. 

 

Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on November 22, 2013.

Ongoing casting news and information for the film can be found at: www.CatchingFireCasting.com

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Johanna Mason is Offered to Jena Malone According to The Hollywood Reporter

Last week, EW has tossed Jena Malone into the Johanna Mason casting rumors mix and now The Hollywood Report (THR) has claimed that Lionsgate has offered the role to the Sucker Punch and Saved actress. On the other hand, Deadline has reported that Zoe Aggeliki is the front runner for the coveted role. Well, Lionsgate has not released any official announcements yet so that means we can still assume that any roles, either for Johanna or not, would still be considered open. For me, if Jena Malone would be cast as Johanna Mason, apart from the fact that they have the same initials (LOL), I think she can be great. She can definitely act and I guess she can be a weakling but at the same she can kill any tributes without blinking. Anyway,  here is THR's statement about the news:

The Sucker Punch actress is in talks to play snide tribute Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire, a key role that will be reprised in the trilogy’s third installment, Mockingjay.

Malone has the offer and is in early negotiations for the part, according to sources. The move nixes premature reports that pegged newbie actress-model Zoe Aggeliki as the front-runner to play the ax-wielding former Hunger Games winner from District 7, who aligns with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) in their return to the arena for an all-star death match.

The role requires a mix of wit and physicality. Although Mason enjoys some of the best one-liners in the Suzanne Collins novel, her first appearance finds her stripping out of her tribute costume in an effort to make Katniss uncomfortable.

The movie is heading for a late-September start with director Francis Lawrence.
Malone, repped by Gersh and Hirsch Wallerstein, most recently appeared in History’s hit miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.

 You should see this video if you think Jena Malone can't be as tough as Johanna Mason. It shows clips from her role as Rocket in Sucker Punch.






The video below can show the weak or the fragile side of Jena Malone in Saved, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, The Go-Getter, Four Last Songs, The United States of Leland, Confessions of an American Girl.

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Deadline Claims that Zoe Aggeliki is the Frontrunner for Playing Johanna Mason in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

If you could still remember, Zoe Aggeliki's name was mixed into the Johanna Mason casting rumor several days ago along with Mia Wasikowska by The Playlist. Then after that, EW has reported that Mia Wasikowska is not in the running to play the District 7 victor as confirmed by the Aussie actress' reps. EW has also added that Jena Malone is a front runner to play Johanna but Deadline also reported that Zoe Aggeliki is now in negotiations with Lionsgate for the role. According to Deadline:

However, sources say model-actress Aggeliki is the one in the most serious talks after both auditioned for director Francis Lawrence.

Zoe Aggeliki

Anyway, the fandom is really going crazy over this casting rumors not just for Johanna, Finnick and other characters. I don't know why the people from Lionsgate are very tight when releasing official announcements for the casts. I mean the sequel will be filmed soon so I think it might be a great way to keep the fandom alive if they announce any casting news soon. 

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Johanna Mason Casting Rumor: Jena Malone is Rumored to Play the Coveted Role

According to EW, Jena Malone (Sucker Punch and Saved!) is rumored to play Johanna Mason in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire."

The character is described in author Suzanne Collins’ bestseller as possessing “a wicked ability to murder,” winning her Hunger Games by pretending to be weak and then picking off the other tributes. One open question about the character is whether director Francis Lawrence will keep Johanna’s introduction from the book, in which she first meets heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) naked — save for her green slippers.

Malone began her acting career at 12 years old in the acclaimed Showtime movie Bastard out of Carolina and as a young Jodie Foster in the sci-fi drama Contact. She most recently appeared in History’s ratings-record-breaking miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.

Jena Malone

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Mia Wasikowska Will Not Play Johanna Mason in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

According to Entertainment Weekly (EW), a representative of Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska, who was rumored to play Johanna Mason in Catching Fire, confirmed that she has neither been approached for the role, nor would be able to play it given other film commitments she has for 2012.

Read more at EW.

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Johanna Mason Casting Rumors: Mia Wasikowska & Zoe Aggeliki are Rumored to Play Johanna

So much for the Finnick Odair casting rumor, let's head on to the Johanna Mason at the moment.  According to Indie Wire's The Playlist, Mia Wasikowska and Zoe Aggeliki were in the mix to play the axe-wielding victor from District 7 named Johanna Mason. If you have read the books, Johanna has a major role in the second and third book. Katniss said that Johanna is like a big sister who doesn't like you. She's very rude, fearless and seems to contradict Katniss a lot. But despite the toughness, Johanna lives a lonely life back in her district since she got no family. Probably, they've been killed after Johanna won in the Games just like Haymitch.

We all know Mia Wasikowska played Alice in Alice in Wonderland and she's Josh Hutcherson's big sister in "The Kids Are Alright." She also played the titular role in Jane Eyre. 

Mia Wasikowska

 On the other hand, Zoe Aggeliki will be seen with Ryan Reynolds in "R.I.P.D." She will also play the role of Silena Beauregard in "Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters."

Zoe Aggeliki

 According to The Playlist:

Francis Lawrence is keen on finding the right actress to fit the part, and is looking at both big names and lesser known talents. Both actresses have been in discussions for the part, and we hear that Aggeliki could sign in the coming days, but nothing is certain just yet.

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Catching Fire Casting Rumors: Sam Claflin, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Ciceley Tyson Added to the Craze

As of now there are still no official statements from Lionsgate about the actors and actresses who will join the Hunger Games family. It's like we've been waiting for years and I really hope that Lionsgate will be able to give us some scoop before June ends. Even if just one actor for the cast, we will surely be happy with that. Anyway, Lainey Gossip has claimed that Sam Claflin, Catalina Sanino Moreno, and Cicley Tyson are added to the potential cast of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." Here is the statement:

“As reported yesterday, Philip Seymour Hoffman has been offered the role of Plutarch. Interesting choice. He was, way back, my pick to play Haymitch. I’m also told that while Garrett Hedlund’s audition went very well for Finnick, Sam Claflin also read for it. So again, they’re trying to look at as many options as possible. And with some imagination too. I hear exclusively that Catalina Sandino Moreno was asked to audition for Johanna Mason. But this is inspired, non? I am excited about her. Please note however that nothing has been decided. These details are just meant to give you an idea of how wide their searches have been although my sources tell me they are seriously considering Ciceley Tyson for Mags.”

Remember, this is just a rumor. 

My thoughts

Sam Claflin

In case  you don't know, Sam Claflin has recently shared the big screen with Kristen Stewart as Prince William in "Snow White and the Huntsman." I don't think he fits the physical description of Finnick. He was even out-powered by Chris Hemsworth in the movie and to think of it he's the prince. He has the looks but I think he's not that tall and athletic.

Sam Claflin as Prince William in Snow White and the Huntsman

Sam Claflin

Catalina Sandino Moreno

I didn't even know (until now) that Catalina Sandino Moreno was actually the evil vampire Maria in Twilight Saga: Eclipse. She was the vampire that brought up a newborn army by using Jasper. Looking at her Wikipedia page, she's an Academy Award nominee like Jennifer Lawrence. So I think she might have the acting chops that can surely be comparable to Jennifer's, which can be a great addition. 

Catalina as Maria in Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Catalina Sandino Moreno

 

Like Moreno, Cicely Tyson is also an OSCAR nominee so I think she's a great addition to the casting.

Cicely Tyson

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