The Hunger Games

[Deleted]

Wasn't Mags supposed to be in her 80s? Melissa Leo is way too young.

[kostgard]

Jul 17, 2012 22:51:10 GMT -4 Babycakes said:

I'm down for TS as Beetee, Melissa Leo as Mags....not so much. I pictured her older and more frail. I hope ML takes it down a notch in the role.

I agree. Mags is supposed to be ancient. But maybe they wanted an actress who can keep up with the physical demands of the games and they'll age her with makeup.

Tony Shalhoub will be an awesome Beetee.

[canuckcutie]

Lainey has said Melissa Leo is not in the running for Mags but in fact Cicely Tyson read for the role and was quite liked. I think she's a better fit age wise and she's obviously a great actress.

[huntergrayson]

So I guess every other site but Lainey is wrong? She may have an inside scoop but it would be odd considering the number of non-gossipy sites reporting it as a near-deal.

For what it's worth, Melissa Leo reads WAY older than her actual age to me. Plus, kostgard's "they can't actually hire someone old enough to break on set from the physical stuff" makes a degree of sense.

[Deleted]

Actually Variety is saying Leo did not get the part too.

Melissa Leo had been on the shortlist to play Mags but her reps were informed Tuesday afternoon that she is not getting the part

It doesn't say anything about Cicely Tyson though. There have been so many casting rumors flying around who knows. I'm glad it is not Leo though. She can play old and crazy but I am not sure she can play sympathetic.

[Door]

Is the Finnick casting confirmed? I just don't see it... at all.

[Deleted]

Jul 19, 2012 15:39:30 GMT -4 Door said:

Is the Finnick casting confirmed? I just don't see it... at all.

Me, either. He was just meh in SWatH--didn't display any charm or chemistry with Kristen Stewart (admittedly, not an easy thing to do since she was so meh as well, but even so). Regardless of looks, to portray the character properly, the actor needs to ooze charisma.

[Coffeecakes]

After seeing someone here suggest Justin Hartley, I cannot unsee it. He's the only one that I can imagine as Finnick.

[Deleted]

Jul 18, 2012 16:55:21 GMT -4 @bronze said:

I'm glad it is not Leo though. She can play old and crazy but I am not sure she can play sympathetic.

She can definitely play sympathetic; her character in Treme oozed warmth and maternal caring.

I'm still hoping Ryan Kwanten will get to play Finnick, although I know that's a long shot.

[granolamom]

Tony Shalhoub will be an awesome Beetee.

I agree. And, as someone who is overly fond of "Big Night," I'm thrilled that Tony Shaloub and Stanley Tucci will be in the same movie again (although not sharing any scenes, I guess).