The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Seeks Philip Seymour Hoffman

In the last couple of weeks, most of the speculation for new actors joining The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has surrounded the role of the handsome Finnick Odair, but there are other new characters to be cast as well. One of the more interesting is Plutarch Heavensbee, the new head of The Hunger Games (after the previous one was executed).

Now THR reports that the part has been offered to Philip Seymour Hoffman. There is no word yet on whether the actor has accepted the offer, or if negotiations have begun. It is a slightly bigger commitment than usual for Hoffman, as he would have to agree to appear in the third Hunger Games movie, Mockingjay, as well.

In Suzanne Collins’ novel, Plutarch tries to subtly show Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) that he is on her side, although he treats her and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) like any other Tribute in public, although his true role is not revealed until the end.

Francis Lawrence is directing Catching Fire from a screenplay by Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine). Shooting is due to run from July through December in Atlanta, Georgia.