Oh snap. I’ve spent months frantically conversing with ardent Hunger Games fans over who they want to see play the oft drunk, always gruff, but ultimately lovable mentor Haymitch Abernathy in Gary Ross‘ upcoming film adaptation. A lot of names made the rounds, from my personal pick Paul Giamatti, to the popular front-runner Robert Downey Jr, and the inspired choice of Cinema Blend’s Katey Rich, Philip Seymour Hoffman. But never in all these discussions did one single person mention an obvious (and admittedly dead-on) choice: John C. Reilly.
Well, according to Vulture the talented (and Oscar-nominated) character actor, who frequently and successively crosses from comedy to drama, is in talks to play Haymitch, and I’m left to marvel how none of us thought of him earlier! Reilly excels at playing gross but affable characters, so of course he’s being sought to play the former Hunger Games champ who subsequently fell into a near constant drunken stupor to cope with the post-traumatic stress inherent in having a hand in the death of your peers. With Reilly on board, audience members can be both repulsed and drawn in by this deft performer’s bittersweet portrayal. It’s a great call. My only regret is that I didn’t think of it.
Now, I’d like to reiterate – Reilly hasn’t signed on yet, as he’s also rumored to be in negotiations to join Oz the Great and Powerful as sidekick to James Franco’s wizard/con man. However, those talks have been dragging on – and it seems this may be why. Elizabeth Banks, another actor known for her ability to dive into drama or comedy with ease, is also in talks to join The Hunger Games. She’d be playing the foil to Reilly as the chic and perky PR rep Effie Trinket, whose meant to coach the tributes of District 12 on their appearances, while Haymitch coaches them on how to survive the brutal battle ahead.
The Hunger Games aims to hit theaters March 23, 2012.
What do you think of Reilly as Haymitch?