Given that the last “big” film Wes Bentley appeared in (albeit briefly) was Jonah Hex, he and his agent are probably dancing with joy at the news that he’s scored a small but pivotal role in The Hunger Games, signing on to play Seneca Crane.
In Suzanne Collins’ novel, Crane has an important position in the Games’ hierarchy, since he’s the man responsible for building the 74th annual version of the event, which draws in Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta Mellark.
And in related casting news, director Gary Ross and the rest of the Games team have also announced the latest set of “tributes” that will be taking part, with largely unknown actors Samuel Tan and Mackenzie Lintz landing the roles of the District 8 tributes, while Sam Ly and Leigha Hancock will portray the unnamed tributes of District 7.
The new arrivals join the likes of Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth, Paula Malcolmson and Leven Rambin, along with a host of newcomers playing the various tributes. Rumours that John C Reilly might be joining them as drunken former Games champ (and Everdeen mentor) Haymitch have so far come to nothing.
Most of the latest casting will likely appeal more to the book’s fans, who are eager to see the film when it arrives on March 23 next year.