One more tribute down. Lionsgate just announced that E. Roger Mitchell (Flight, Battle Los Angeles) will be joining the ever-growing cast of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire as Chaff, the former District 11 victor who finds himself back into the picture with the announcement of the third Quarter Quell 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.
Chaff is a different kind of personality than most tributes we’ve seen so far. He and Haymitch are old post-games drinking buddies and he’s shown to have a good sense of humor, playing jokes at Katniss’ expense and getting close to Peeta soon after they first meet. Behind his smile, though, is a brave man who refused a prosthetic hand to replace the one he lost in the games and dares to speak candidly about President Snow’s political choices when few others would think wise. He’s not seen often in the book but he’s shown to be one of the few who’s willing to risk it all for the chance at freedom. Like several of his castmates, Mitchell has a background filled with small roles (many of which include law enforcement or military) and he matches the physical description of Chaff from the book. It’ll be interesting to see how he distinguishes himself from the rest of the tributes when it’s time to start shooting.
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth return to star opposite newcomers Amanda Plummer, Jena Malone, Meta Golding, Bruno Gunn, Alan Ritchson and Lynn Cohen. Michael Arndt is in talks to pen the script for director Francis Lawrence. Filming will start next month in Atlanta before moving onto Hawaii in November.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theaters on November 22nd, 2013.