It was few weeks back that Lenny Kravitz was first mentioned for The Hunger Games, though at the time there was no word on who the stylish rock star would play. In fact, since he was rumored to be in talks along with Woody Harrelson and Stanley Tucci, an early favorite for the role of the sharp fashion designer Cinna, it was unclear what Kravitz was being considered for. Since then of course, it’s been revealed that Tucci will play Hunger Games host Caesar Flickerman, and Harreslon has since been cast as the gruff mentor Haymitch. So, basically we’ve all been waiting for Kravitz to be officially announced as Cinna, as the only other role of note to be cast is that of the malevolent President Snow, who being described as being white, old, frail and generally resembling death. So, not really Kravitz’s type. [The Playlist]

Check out the First Look of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss.

So, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna. Honestly, I’m underwhelmed. I mean, Kravitz is surely unflappably cool – which is fitting for the part – but I was hoping for — you know — an actor in the role. (Kravitz’s biggest role to date was a small part in Precious.) Over the course of the three YA novels, the first of which is the source material for The Hunger Games, Cinna proves to be a priceless ally in Katniss’ quest for survival and ultimate rebellion. He’s one of the few people the guarded girl seems able to unreservedly connect with. It’s a lot to put on the shoulders of someone with so little acting experience. Still, so far I’ve been largely elated by the choices the casting directors have made, so I’m going to stay hopeful. Though I was pulling for Zachary Quinto.

Also on the Panem fashion front, Cinna’s fellow stylist Portia (who handles Peeta’s wardrobe) will be played by Latarsha Rose, who you may have spotted on TV, while Brooke Bundy, who’ll appear in Without this year, has signed onto play Octavia, a member of Katniss’ styling team, whom HG fans may remember is a plump woman who dyes her skin a fashionable green. (Yes, the fashions of the capital are strange all around.)

And finally, EW rounds out the tributes casting news: Cato and Clove (the ferocious career tributes of District 2) have been cast! And as I expected, after announcing a long string of unknowns to fill the smaller tribute roles, producers have called in some young stars to round out the teen cast. And it’s a pretty intriguing pair: Alexander Ludwig, who played an alien kid in Race to Witch Mountain, will take on Cato, while Isabelle Fuhrman, the freaky chick from the disturbing horror flick Orphan, will play Clove. In my opinion, both good calls. There is something decidedly unnerving about these kids…

UPDATE: Deadline has just announced that Toby Jones (Infamous) has joined the cast as, “the host/narrator of the games alongside Stanley Tucci.” Whatever that means. Actually, while I was admittedly baffled by that item (why can’t Deadline just read the book already!?) Katey Rich at Cinema Blend has hazarded a sharp educated guess, saying, “as best I can figure that means he’ll be Claudius Templesmith, the announcer of the Games whose voice booms out in the arena every time an announcement needs to be made.” It’s an ominous role to be sure, and one so small it may not get a formal press release. Still, Jones is a stellar performer who has appeared in a number of acclaimed features, so that speaks volumes to the project’s allure and its casting process. Basically, even when I’m not on board with a particular choice – I’m overall intrigued by the cast they’re pulling together.

The cameras are set to roll on The Hunger Games in a few weeks, in the meantime Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, who will fill out the book’s heated love triangle of Katniss, Peeta and Gale respectively, are in training so they can be in top-shape for the stunt-heavy adventure. Official synopsis below:

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games.  Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy.  If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hunger Games will open March 23, 2012. For some rumored location photos, click here.

What do you think of the latest HG casting news? Are you happy with Kravitz for Cinna?

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