One day, hopefully in the near future, Lionsgate will decide to turn off the Hunger Games casting spigot and info-gushes about the film will stop flowing onto the Interwebs. That day is not today. Now comes word that John C Reilly has been offered the role of Haymitch Abernathy in the film, and that Deadwood/Caprica actress Paula Malcolmson has locked in one of the key early roles – that of Everdeen Katniss’ mother.
Vulture reports that Reilly hasn’t actually received a final offer just yet, but that he’s definitely wanted to play the boozy delinquent, who also just so happens to be the only living person from District 12 to have won/survived the games. So, somewhat naturally, he comes a reluctant mentor to Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Even though Riley’s casting isn’t locked in yet, he certainly seems to fit the role to a tee.
Malcolmson, who has a habit of showing up in quality TV shows (she was last seen on the goggle box in Sons of Anarchy), will play the grieving, depressed mother of the heroine, a woman torn apart by her husband’s death a few years ago in a mining accident and terrified of her daughters entering the Games.
The rest of the cast so far includes Liam Hemsworth, Amandla Stenberg, Dayo Okeniyi, Leven Rambin, Jack Quaid and – assuming her deal, like Reilly’s, goes through – Elizabeth Banks. Gary Ross will kick off directing next month.