Outside of the role of Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason, one of the most heavily discussed roles in the new Hunger Games sequel is that of Enobaria, a previous tribute who factors heavily into Katniss’s continuing adventures. The discussion ends today though, as Lionsgate just announced that Meta Golding has been cast in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire as the former career tribute known for the intense and gruesome way she came to win her particular games.
The sequel sends previous game victors Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark on a “Victor’s Tour” of Panem’s 12 districts, during which Katniss notices the birth of a rebellion and President Snow announces the 75th Annual Hunger Games. However, these Games will bring new dangers and unexpected challenges that will drag Katniss and Peeta back to the Arena and test everything they know about themselves and each other.
Golding is a bit of an unknown to most audiences. She has a decent run of series regular and guest appearances on shows like CSI, Criminal Minds, Burn Notice, House, Lie to Me and Cold Case, appeared briefly in the film Surrogates and will be seen soon in the indie film The Chicago 8 opposite Philip Baker Hall.
However, as far as casting goes, this could be a big break for her. Alongside Finnick and Johanna, Enobaria is one of the most interesting characters introduced in the sequels. Her method of winning her games was one of the more memorable and horrifying things to think about (in the books, one of her weapons of choice is her teeth — she sharpened them and had them tipped with gold so that they could be both formidable and invulnerable). More than that, she poses an interesting challenge to Katniss throughout Catching Fire as the heroine tries to separate friend from foe in her life.
The character plays a critical role in the finale of the second book and factors into the events that take place throughout the final book, Mockingjay. Like Haymitch, Finnick, and the other victors introduced through the sequel, Enobaria provides Katniss and the audience/readers with a look at life after the games for the victors and what winning the games can do to them emotionally throughout their lives. It’s a terrific role for an actress to land on many levels and it could prove to be the breakthrough role Golding has been looking for. Though her resume doesn’t provide much for us to sink our teeth into, Golding does have room to surprise so I’ll wait for some trailers before I think too hard about this one.
Along with Claflin and Golding, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth return to star opposite newcomers Amanda Plummer, Jena Malone and Lynn Cohen. Michael Arndt is in talks to pen the script for director Francis Lawrence and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theaters on November 22nd, 2013.