One of these days, possibly around the same time as the heat death of the universe, director Gary Ross and the team from Lionsgate will stop announcing new casting news for The Hunger Games, which, as everyone should surely know by now, is already shooting in North Carolina. But Ross isn’t done with us all just yet – not when there’s one or two remaining roles left to announce. So it is with increasing frustration that we report Donald Sutherland is on board to play President Snow.
In Suzanne Collins’ novel series, Snow is the autocratic, tough-as-old-boots ruler of Panem, the shattered remains of North America that's left behind after an apocalyptic event. After several attempts to rebel against the Capitol by the people of the various “Districts” that make up the country, Snow's ruling state creates the titular annual gladiatorial event in which two tributes – children – from each District are forced to battle to the death. Our heroine in the story is Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who takes her sister’s place in the games.
Chances are you already know all this and more (especially if you’ve checked out our guide to the story), but if they’re going to keep announcing big names, we’re going to keep explaining how they fit into the tale.
With the likes of Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Toby Jones, Lenny Kravitz and a batch of unknown young ‘uns as the tributes in the cast, The Hunger Games is out on March 23 next year. Meanwhile, if Ross really does have more actors waiting to be announced, we’re going to have to insist that he just gets them all out of the way at once. It’s like watching a toddler swallow sprouts at this point.