Jena Malone (SUCKERPUNCH, Hatfields & McCoys) is in talks to join THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE as Johanna Mason, one of the pivotal characters in the sequel to Suzanne Collins’ popular book-to-film series. Directed by Francis Lawrence (I AM LEGEND, CONSTANTINE) this time out, the film sets out to explore the further adventures of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her role in the world of Pan Em.
Here’s a description of Johanna Mason:
Sarcastic and mean-spirited, Johanna’s first meeting with Katniss involves her stripping naked out of her tree costume in order to make Katniss uncomfortable because of last year when she passed Peeta a sheet of plastic so she did not have to see him naked (she felt uncomfortable near naked people) .She reveals that she has no friends or family in District 7 during the 75th Hunger Games, stating “there is no one left I love.” She won her original Hunger Games by pretending she was a weakling and a coward, so no one regarded her as a threat, but when only a few tributes remained, she revealed herself as a vicious killer.
And here’s the book synopsis:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.
I stopped reading THE HUNGER GAMES after the first book. It just didn’t inspire me to devour the further love triangle advanture of Katniss and co. The film was good, not great, and seemed to capture the overall tone and vision of Collins’ book, but mostly it just propelled Jennifer Lawrence’s career to new heights. And deservedly so, as she was the whole show and did a bang up job.
I must confess to having a bit of a crush on Malone, however, and am partial to her casting just to see her be afforded the same opportunity as Lawrence to shine for a broader audience. Malone was the best thing about Zack Snyder’s abysmal SUCKERPUNCH and she’s got that girl next door charm and sexy wit that sets her apart from the bubblegum princesses that we are inundated with on a regular basis.
Let’s hope Lawrence is able to see it and give Malone a shot.
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE opens on November 23, 2013.