Catching Fire: Jena Malone in Talks for Hunger Games Sequel!

So who would the Sucker Punch's star play?

By John Boone Jul 03, 2012 7:50 PMTags
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Catching Fire—the highly anticipated follow-up to box office juggernaut The Hunger Games—is heating up with some more top-notch talent.

Following news that Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman has been offered the role of role of head gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee in the sequel, The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Jena Malone, recently seen in the critically adored Hatfields & McCoys miniseries and less-lauded Sucker Punch, is in negotiations to join the franchise.

So who would she play?!

Johanna Mason, a tough-talking Tribute that Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) go head to head with when they return to the Capitol for another go in the arena.

Jena has apparently been offered the role and is in "early negotiations" to make it official. The deal would also include her reappearance in the third (or possibly third and fourth?) film of the franchise, Mockingjay.

The actress—who also appeared in flicks like Saved! and Into the Wild—has had her name in the mix for a while now along with model Zoe Aggeliki and Mia Wasikowska (who was already nixed as a potential Johanna).

If all goes according to plan, Jena better start practicing her ax-wielding skills, snarky comebacks and sexpot charm (for those who haven't read the book, we could be seeing a lot of Ms. Malone very soon, as her onscreen alter-ego appears completely naked and oiled up in an early scene).

So we've got a director (that'd be Francis Lawrence, taking over for Gary Ross), a Plutarch and a Johanna Mason. All that's missing is Finnick Odair. And we, like you, cannot wait for that casting announcement.