Phillip Seymour Hoffman Confirmed for "Catching Fire"

Fear not teenagers! Oscar winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman has officially signed on to play the role of Plutarch Heavensbee in Catching Fire, the second entry in the Hunger Games series. Hoffman had been reportedly offered the role of the “head games organizer” by Lionsgate, and it is now confirmed. The actor won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as Truman Capote in Capote. Hoffman has won acclaim for his roles in movies such as Synechdoche, New York, Doubt, and The Savages. He most recently finished a stint on Broadway in the Mike Nichols-directed revival of Arthur Miller's Death of A Salesman. Hoffman's new role coincides with his departure from his longtime agency Paradigm.

For the role of Johanna Mason, Jena Malone will most likely receive the part. The actress, who starred in Saved! and Sucker Punch, is said to be very close to playing the sarcastic tribute. Lionsgate has also been said to have reportedly offered the role to Malone. And it's certainly an offer you'd have to have a really, really good reason to refuse. The Hunger Games sequel, which is set to be released in November 2013, will definitely be big, unless the series' fandom dies down in the next year…but that's unlikely.

Below is the full press release for Hoffman's casting (via Deadline)

Santa Monica, CA, July 9, 2012- Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE are pleased to announce that Philip Seymour Hoffman has been cast in the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, Head Gamemaker for The Hunger Games, in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel Catching Fire.

The actor and filmmaker just wrapped a Broadway run as Willy Loman in the revival of “Death of a Salesman” for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. He will next be seen in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” and the indie film “A Late Quartet” alongside Catherine Keener and Christopher Walken. More recent films include “Moneyball,” “The Ides of March” and “Jack Goes Boating” which marked Hoffman’s feature directorial debut.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has over 36 million copies in print in the U.S. alone.

Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on November 22, 2013.

Let CHARGED.fm get you tickets to see your favorite bands and artists this summer.