It's Just Movies

— by CHERRY BELL DAMASCO-FARRINGTON —

The search for Finnick Odair, Johanna Mason and Mags has finally come to an end. The lucky stars joining “The Hunger Games” sequel are Sam Claflin in the much-coveted role of Finnick Odair, Jena Malone as Johanna Mason and Lynn Cohen as Mags.

A 26-year-old British actor, Claflin was recently seen in the summer’s second live-action production of Snow White’s tale as Prince William in “Snow White and the Huntsman” alongside Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth (brother of Liam Hemsworth, who plays Gale Hawthorne in “The Hunger Games”). Claflin has beaten out other rumored candidates for the District 4 victor and mentor, including Taylor Kitsch, Robert Pattinson, Garrett Hedlund and Armie Hammer.

***Spoiler Alert***
Who is Finnick Odair?
Odair was a male victor from District 4 and was known for being the victor of the 65th Hunger Games at the age of 14 when sponsors sent him his weapon of choice, a trident, and with a net that he had fashioned from vines he was able to capture his opponents in the arena and kill them. He is also a survivor of the 3rd Quarter Quell, also known as the 75th Hunger Games. The hunky Victor plays a pivotal part in the survival of Katniss Eveerdeen and Peeta Mellark in both “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay.”

In late July, Lionsgate officially announced that Jena Malone will be Johanna Mason. Malone is best known for her recent roles in AMC’s “Hatfield & McCoys” and 2011’s “Sucker Punch” alongside Emily Browning, Jamie Chung, Abbie Cornish and Vanessa Hudgens.

***Spoiler Alert***
Who is Johanna Mason?
Johanna Mason is a female victor of District 7 from an unidentified Hunger Games still in her early twenties, and is one of the youngest, but also one of the most psychologically scarred Quarter Quell participants. She seems fearless and uninhibited so she presents a bit of a quandary for Katniss in “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay.”

The most recent addition to the cast is “Sex and the City” star Lynn Cohen as Mags. The 80-year-old Mags is the former mentor of Finnick Odair in his Hunger Games and was a District 4 former Hunger Games victor herself. TV fans will remember Cohen best for her role as Miranda’s maid on the Emmy-winning HBO comedy “Sex and the City.” Not only is she a seasoned TV veteran, she has also been an Oscar nominated actress in 2005’s “Munich” and 2008’s “Synecdoche, NY.”

Claflin, Malone, and Cohen will join newcomers to the franchise Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amanda Plummer alongside returnees Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks and Lenny Kravitz. The franchise looks to be packing itself with numerous Oscar and Emmy nominated and winning actors.

The film is in pre-production stages in and around the Atlanta, Ga., area. The film is set for a Nov. 23, 2013, release.

What do you think of the latest cast additions? Do you agree with them? Let us know what you think in the comments section.

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