Campaigning for Coin: Alex Kingston

Welcome back to "Campaigning for Coin"! Today's candidate is Alex Kingston! As you read these posts, please comment on who your fan cast for Coin is! Of course we don't need to remind you....

*SPOILER ALERT!*

Today fan sites take a look at Alex Kingston, mostly known for her role as Professor River Song on Doctor Who. Here's what we had to say:

Welcome to District 12

Courtney/Tiffany: We LOVE Alex Kingston! We are both crazy huge Doctor Who fans, and if there's a character we love almost as much as The Doctor, it's River Song. Of course this isn't the only reason that we are in love with the idea of Kingston as Coin. We've seen the duality of her acting solely through the show, and her resume speaks for itself as well. We aren't worried about her capabilities as an actor to handle Coin in the slightest. She would also be a perfect Coin candidate for the "lesser known actor" option.

HG Fireside Chat

Savanna: I am a Doctor Who fanatic. And as such, I'd hate for my view of River Song to become tainted by seeing Alex Kingston play Alma Coin. However, setting my selfishness aside for a moment, I actually think that Kingston could potentially be a great choice. While her identity as a person is -- unfortunately -- closely linked to River for me and many others, Kingston is quite adept at slipping into her roles so well that you lose yourself in the character and the story. So with a different hairstyle and an American accent, I doubt Whovians would have trouble seeing Kingston as Coin and not River. I haven't seen ER, so I can't speak for her performance there, but Kingston was an absolutely phenomenal Mrs. Bennet in the miniseries Lost in Austen. While having nothing in common with Coin on the surface, if you're familiar with Pride and Prejudice, then you know just how manipulative and scheming Mrs. Bennet can be. True, she's simply a small-town meddler and not a political schemer, but after seeing Kingston so brilliantly portray this "ball-breaking" matriarch hell-bent on securing good marriages for her daughters, I would love to see her interpretation of Coin.

HG Girl on Fire

Colleen: In my mind, Alma Coin is cold & manipulative, but she had to have some quality to make everyone trust her. I can easily see Alex Kingston taking on that role. She’s just so versatile. Most people probably know her as a doctor on ER or as the charming (yet not completely trustworthy at times) River Song on Doctor Who. When I saw Kingston’s name on the list of possibilities for Coin, I thought of her role as Boudica in Warrior Queen. She rallies her people to rebel against the Roman Empire and goes down fighting. She’s believable as a leader, and it’s this role I first thought of that made me think she would be a good choice for Coin. But it’s her Doctor Who role that clinched it for me. She plays River Song with an air of authority, but with her own secrets & agenda. She's all but mastered the 'I can be your best friend or you worst enemy' look, and, to me, that is the essence of Alma Coin. And I think the British accent would totally work for Coin.

My Hunger Games

Kelsey: Being a massive "Whovian", I will forever and always see Alex Kingston as the lovable, sassy and adventurous Professor River Song. So upon first seeing her name among the list of actresses “Campaigning for Coin”, my initial reaction was to object. However, since I am a huge fan of Alex’s, she was worth looking into a bit more. That’s when I realized how amazing of an actress Kingston really is. Looking at her as Dr. Corday in ER, Mrs. Bennet in Lost in Austen all the way to Boudica in Warrior Queen and Dinah in Arrow. Every one of her characters is so different, yet Alex is able to bring them to life so vividly. That alone it is a huge testament to her ability. At this point, Kingston isn’t a household name - and that could definitely work in her favor. The fact that she isn’t incredibly well known could make her an easier choice for Lionsgate, considering their budget. But the fact that she is a very well rounded actress bodes well for the fans. I think she can easily bring Coin to life like she has with so many others!

Victor's Village

Rebekah: I'll be honest, I'm a long time fan of Alex Kingston, starting with her work on the long running, critically acclaimed, award winning, and fan loved NBC series ER. She'll always be the fish out of water Doctor Elizabeth Corday to me, which I think is a good way to think of Alex. Elizabeth allowed Alex as an actress to explore a multitude of feelings, and experiences to act out over the course of that characters 12 year run. Aside from her work on ER though, Alex has played a gamut of other characters, most famously she's Doctor River Song on Doctor Who, where she's really kind of a source of comic relief seemingly majority of the time. And then there's her work on series' like Upstairs Downstairs, and the CW's Arrow. She's definitely proven her self capable of embodying different kinds of women, therefore I say I wouldn't kick up a fuss if she was cast as Coin. Her being cast might even bring in a whole slew of different kinds of audience members, because Alex is known from such a diverse collection of projects. She'd bring in the ER crowd, and the younger crowd from the Doctor Who side of things, and the PBS/BBC loving lot from being known for Upstairs Downstairs. Alex Kingston, I simply can't find fault with this idea. Who's next?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Campaigning for Coin: Anjelica Huston

Welcome to "Campaigning for Coin"! We're looking at Alma Coin hopefuls and today we'll take a look at Anjelica Huston! As you read these posts, please comment on who your fan cast for Coin is! Of course we don't need to remind you....

*SPOILER ALERT!*

Today fan sites take a look at the mysterious and spooky Anjelica Huston. Here's what we had to say:

Welcome to District 12

Courtney/Tiffany: Great choice! I love these actresses that are out there doing great work, yet not extremely famous or well known. Anjelica Huston in the role of Coin scares the crap out of me, but in a good way. When put in a powerful role like that, Anjelica Huston would do very well. She's an actress known for her severe look and authoritative presence. Though known for playing Morticia Adams, she's been in the biz for years, playing all types of roles, and her most current stint on Smash just ended with the show's demise, which frees her up. She's got the look, she's got the hair, and without a doubt The Supreme Leader from Captain EO has my vote!

Down with the Capitol

Theresa: I have admittedly been a huge fan of Sigourney Weaver for the role of Coin for quite some time. That is until I saw the name Anjelica Huston in our Campaign for Coin. My most vivid memory of her on screen is admittedly 15 years old, as the wicked step mother, Rodmilla De Ghent in 'Ever After'. She was both regal and cunning, dead set on getting what she wanted at the expense of anyone, including her own daughters. Willing to do anything to gain power and respect in the kingdom. Someone who shows one face to the world, and another behind closed doors. Sound familiar? Yup, that's our Coin, and Anjelica knows how to deliver her perfectly.

HG Fireside Chat

Savanna: While I wouldn't be disappointed if Anjelica Huston were cast as President Coin, she's definitely not one of my top picks. Yes, she's absolutely an acting legend, and her talent is indisputable. As a big Wes Anderson fan, I especially enjoyed her performances in The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic. And you only need to see her as the wicked stepmother in Ever After to believe her capable of portraying a manipulative, power-hungry figure like Coin. But for me, she just doesn't have the right "look." Obviously this is a completely subjective thing and a matter of personal preference. But I always envisioned Coin as someone whose physical appearance somewhat belied her true nature, and Huston has played so many "evil" roles in the past that audiences might immediately assume she's up to something. And where's the fun in that?

HG Girl on Fire

Amanda: Angelica Huston is my top pick for this role. To me she just has the right demeanor; she can be perfectly “wicked” and cold. I loved her in Ever After, and I think that particular movie showcases just how good she would be in this role. She didn’t care about anyone but herself, her character was all about doing everything and anything to get ahead, and make herself look good while not caring what the consequences would be. All the while keeping Drew Barrymore’s character down and keeping her from getting ahead. Sound familiar? That is why I think she would have Coin down pat. To me she is also the best physical resemblance of President Coin; she is extremely good at looking cold and evil. I think she is also the right age as well. It will be very exciting to see who does end up playing President Coin and I really hope it is Angelica Huston.

Mockingjay.net

Crystal: While I love Angelica Huston, having recently seen her in 50/50, I don't think I'd be all that thrilled if she was picked as Coin. I'm old enough to remember her as Morticia Addams and it's tough to let a role like that go. Then there's Witches, which I used to watch over and over as a kid. It's hard to put into words really, but it just seems "predictable" to have someone like her cast.

My Hunger Games

Jacqui: Anjelica Huston is one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood.  She spent most of her life in front of the camera. She has had some fantastic parts including playing Lilly Dillon in The Grifters, Gretta Conroy in The Dead and  her Oscar winning performance as the vengeful girlfriend of hit man Jack Nicholson in Prizzi's Honor.  Many fans will also know her as Mortitia in three Addams Family films.  However, for me, I love her best as the awkward mistress in Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanours, as the mother in The Royal Tenebaums and as Eileen Rand, the legendary Broadway producer, who will still throw a drink in someone's face if need be, in Smash. She's a real actress, with striking features.  She's statuesque and exudes a quiet confidence.  She is a woman that knows how to portray strength and menacing. While she might not be my first choice for the Mockingjay movies, I believe she would bring something special to the role of Alma Coin.

The Hob

Lee: Anjelica Huston is an excellent candidate to portray President Coin.  Physically striking and emotionally powerful in her previous performances, Ms. Huston could provide an emotional depth to Coin that many other actresses wouldn’t be able to approach.  Since Coin embodies the rapacious need for power and control, Ms. Houston would no doubt deliver a performance that would enable the audience to see the resolve, calculation and power needed to make this character come alive.

Victor's Village

Kait: Anjelica Huston's talent is undoubtable. Whenever she gives a performance, you can bet it's going to be a memorable one. We have no doubt that she'd work in the role of Alma Coin, but might she be too predictable? It's really important that Coin is not a transparently "evil" character who's up to no good. Audiences must question whether or not she is to be trusted. Depsite some great performances in other genres, people expect Anjelica Huston to be a bit of a baddie, especially with Ever After and The Witches sticking out most to people in the film's target audience. Anjelica has the air of authority about her and she looks like the type of woman who could firmly run District 13, but can she play the ambigious side of the Coin and keep everyone guessing?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

New Catching Fire Barbie Dolls to be Released This October?

According to website DollGenie, Mattel will be releasing Catching Fire Barbie Dolls of Katniss, Peeta, Gale, and yes, Finnick later this October. While no official image for the dolls are available yet, they are supposedly going to look like the characters' capitol portraits.


Here is the description for the Katniss doll:

The 2013 Hunger Games Catching Fire KATNISS Barbie #X8251 will be released in October. Official Mattel images of the exact doll are not available but we are hoping that she will replicate this image. As soon as we have more details we will post them for you! This image is from the Hunger Games Catching Fire Movie Promo material and modified to include the item code numbers of the Mattel dolls to be released this fall.

Will YOU be getting a Catching Fire Barbie Doll? Which one?

Source: The Hob

Campaigning for Coin: Sigourney Weaver

Welcome to "Campaigning for Coin"! We're looking at Alma Coin hopefuls and today we bring you fan favorite Sigourney Weaver! As you read these posts, please comment on who your fan cast for Coin is! Of course we don't need to remind you....

*SPOILER ALERT!*

Today fan sites take a look at Ripley herself, Sigourney Weaver. Here's what we had to say:

Welcome to District 12

Courtney/Tiffany: If a more popular actress was to be cast as Coin, we would jump for joy at the thought of Sigourney Weaver. She's played roles in many popular films every decade in the past 30 years, been apart of classic franchises (Ghostbusters, Alien) and has been nominated for an Oscar three times. Like the other fine candidates, she often plays powerful women and a voice that emits authority and power. Whenever Sigourney Weaver is on screen, she commands attention, and that is something we very much need from whoever will play Coin. There would be no doubting her command as the President of District 13. Let's not forget, she played a Hillary Clinton-esque figure in Political Animals. Aside from the fact that Sigourney Weaver is a fan favorite, she's got the voice and the look to play Coin. 

The Hob

Jessica: Sigourney Weaver is a versatile actress who could easily capture President Coin's power hungry, unscrupulous nature. With a wide range of roles under her belt from Alien to Galaxy Quest to The Village, Weaver creates characters who are powerful and commanding even if they are not in an actual position of power. I can easily see her ordering torturings or using her troops like game pieces. She also has the depth to portray Coin's conviction and mass appeal to the residents of District 13, who liked and respected her enough to make her President in the first place.

My Hunger Games

Kristen: What is there to say about Sigourney Weaver, other than she is the face of an entire generation of cult classics? I’m not going to talk about her portrayal of the supercool scientist/ET killer Ellen Ripley of the ridiculously successful Alien franchise. I’m not even going to talk about Dana Barrette and the infamous “There is no Dana, only Zuul” line from Ghostbusters. I’d just like to call your attention to 1997’s awesome retelling of a classic fairytale—Snow White: A Tale of Terror. Sigourney Weaver rendered the single most bad-ass interpretation of the Evil Queen/ Poison-apple-toting old hag EVER. (That’s right, I said EVER, Charlize Theron…) More than portraying a seriously vain, jealously deranged, power-starved wicked step mother, Sigourney brought an almost sympathetic note to the role as a grieving mother who never could get past the death of her son. Her heart was kind of in the right place at least for a while. And that’s exactly why Sigourney has my vote for President Coin. She is fully capable of playing a dastardly and manipulative character, while at the same time maintaining a certain je ne sais quoi about her. In the books we’re lead to believe that—unlike President Snow—Coin is the Head Honcho of District 13 because the people chose her to be, which is to say, she must have been likeable enough to get elected. If the writers/producers/directors want to portray a tough-as-nails, yet relatable President Coin, Sigourney Weaver would be the hands-down choice in my opinion.

HG Girl on Fire

Amanda: I do think that Sigourney Weaver would make a fabulous President Coin. My only hesitation is that, given her record of mostly science fiction, especially Alien, I worry that I might spend the entire time picturing President Coin fighting off aliens, which is unfortunate because, as I said, I really do think she would be great in the role. She is an extremely talented actress, and I think she can definitely handle the meaner, colder persona needed for Coin, and she more closely physically resembles how I pictured Coin. I think she is closer age-wise too.  Sigourney Weaver is in my top two picks for this role. I would not be unhappy at all if she were to play President Coin.

HG Fireside Chat

Adam: There's a reason Sigourney Weaver tops the mountain of many President Coin lists: She represents female empowerment better than perhaps any other actress out there. She has earned that reputation through dominant roles in Alien, or even Avatar, but there was a reason she was selected for those roles -- she possesses a transformative acting talent. President Coin may be a villain in many eyes, but that doesn't make her a weak character. Coin is ambitious and ruthless, and extremely cunning in her attempt to achieve supremacy over Panem. Weaver could seamlessly fit into that role, applying those badass heroine characteristics she's so famous for to more sinister aims. For Coin, Weaver is as good as it gets.

Down with the Capitol

Ellie: Most famous for battling aliens and, more recently, battling with aliens, we know Weaver can play a strong, intense female character. She has that stern superiority about her that must be present in any President Coin. She could bring out Coin’s relentlessness beautifully, as well as her weaker, more fearful moments. Her height, alone, could give Coin an overpowering dimension that could cause fear in the viewers. She would be wonderful choice for Coin, who would bring even more talent to an extremely talented cast.

Victor's Village

Kait: Sigourney Weaver is one of the most classic ass-kickers in Hollywood. She's battled aliens, injustice, armies invading Pandora, and Zuul! Yet I have no idea what she'd do with a cruelly ambiguous character like President Coin because I haven't seen her taken on a role like that (though I'm told Political Animals is a great example.) Sigourney is usually the hero or the mockingly evil character, though in all the movies she displays a great sense of authority. But it's possible that she's also TOO much of a sci-fi favorite to really convince audiences she is Alma Coin, not just Sigourney Weaver playing Alma Coin. Overall, she's not my top pick, but I wouldn't be unhappy if she were cast in the film!

Mockingjay.net

Ciara: For cinema historians everywhere, Sigourney Weaver is the only choice for President Coin. Katniss has raised her bow at a time in film, particularly in 2012, when we saw more heroine-headlining blockbusters than any other year previous. Casting Weaver as Coin would be a nice thank you to the very first female action icon and to the makers of 'Alien' who, in 1979, simply switched Ripley from a man to a woman. It would be a fitting passing of the torch to the most exciting heroine of cinema today. But this isn't like casting her in just another cameo performance to reference her title as the queen of sci-fi and horror ('Paul,' 'Cabin in the Woods'). President Coin is much more important than that. Sigourney Weaver is a truly wonderful actress. We know she can play cold and calculating extremely well but she can do it with much more subtlety and complexity than many other actresses of her generation from 'Gorillas in the Mist' to more recently in 'Rampart.' And that's what is needed for Coin. She's most certainly not an evil character. But she's not a good one. She's human. Mockingjay is all about the failings of humanity and the cost of war and Weaver would give the honest and credible performance that the character of Coin deserves. If that wasn't enough she would be an incredible adversary to Donald Sutherland's Snow, both characters being like different sides of the same *ahem* coin. And lastly, she should sign on to Mockingjay because the fact that Donald Sutherland and Sigourney Weaver haven't been in the same movie together is a crime against celluloid!

The Catching Fire Book Trailer!

Awhile ago, our friends Kimmy from Mockingjay.net and former District 2 mayorAldrin from DWTC starred in a video letting you know how you can be a part of the Scholastic's Catching Fire book trailer. Now it's here! Check it out to see if you made it! Also, see if you notice someone familiar around the 14 second mark (hint: it's our very own Courtney!)

Be a Hunger Games Ambassador! Follow @this_is_teen on twitter and tweet the contest link http://bit.ly/spreadfire and the hashtag #ReadCatchingFire for the chance to win a hardcover edition of Catching Fire with autographed bookplate from Suzanne Collins and a $50 gift card!

Campaigning for Coin: Joan Allen

Welcome to "Campaigning for Coin"! We're looking at Alma Coin hopefuls and today we bring you Joan Allen! As you read these posts, please comment on who your fan cast for Coin is! Of course we don't need to remind you....

*SPOILER ALERT!*

Today fan sites take a look at Joan Allen. Here's what we had to say:

Welcome to District 12

Courtney/Tiffany: Joan Allen? Yes, yes, and yes. Joan Allen is one of those under-the-radar actresses, which in itself we are more leaning toward when it comes to who is playing Coin. There are plenty of great actresses out there and so many of them are under appreciated. Joan has had tons of work, yet she's not an A-lister. We think she's got the hard look of Coin, yet unassuming enough that you would think nothing sinister was going on within that character. She seems to play diverse types of roles, from commanding in the Bourne movies to demure in Pleasantville, so we're confident she can pull off the duplicity of Coin. Yes, please!

HG Fireside Chat

Savanna: While I'm definitely aware of Joan Allen's talent and fame, I've only seen her in a couple of things, so I hardly feel qualified to make a personal statement about her abilities as an actor. Yes, believe it or not, I've never seen the Bourne films or The Mists of Avalon or Nixon or Pleasantville. Or any of her other notable performances for that matter. (What's wrong with me?) All that being said, however, I'd be totally thrilled to see her play Coin. She's the right age and definitely has a great look for the role. Unlike Glenn Close and Tilda Swinton, Allen has a much softer appearance that would believably mask Coin's ruthlessness (and certainly fool movie viewers who have not read the books). And as a Tony winner and Academy Award nominee, she'd also lend even more acclaim to an already much-celebrated cast.

HG Girl on Fire

Lindsay: I'm thrilled Joan Allen is one of the actresses we are talking about here, because she is the exact person I was thinking of when reading the book. I think she's an exceptional actress. I first took notice of her as the dysfunctional mother in The Ice Storm, but loved her role as an oppressed woman coming into her own in Pleasantville. It's her role as Pamela Landy in the Bourne franchise, though, that really seals the deal for me on this one. She's tough-as-nails when she needs to be. Ready to take on the man. She's been nominated three times for an Oscar. To me, she looks perfectly the part. I think she's been underestimated as an actress. She's not so stunning it would throw you off to have her as your Coin, but also not unattractive. I'd love to see Allen, or someone of her caliber, take on the role.

Mockingjay.net

Carla: Joan Allen is a legend, and I would be over the moon if she were cast as President Coin. Every role I've seen her play, even those characters that were not in any sort of position of power, demand attention the way I expect Coin would. She was incredibly intense in the Bourne movies, and I'd be thrilled if she can bring that to Coin's characterization. But my favorite thing about Allen is that she can play characters that are perfectly agreeable-- with an edge. I'm thinking particularly of her roles in The Notebook and Mists of Avalon as I say this, but even in her other projects I've seen that she can come across as perfectly diplomatic and no-nonsense, and with just a single gesture (a tightening of the lips, a narrowing of the eyes, a deepening of her tone) she can convey that she's really not that agreeable at all. And there's a layer of brattiness to her, but not in a way that makes her seem childish, but in a way that makes her come across as controlling and manipulative. And Coin needs that, in my opinion. Coin needs to be someone who can seem like a leader who has everything under control at first glance, yet have a subtle bitchiness to her that only becomes obvious when she's around Katniss. And I've hardly seen anyone better at conveying such a trait than Joan Allen. She would be a fantastic choice for the character if you ask me, definitely one of my favorites on this list.

The Hob

Kelsey: Joan Allen is an actress with many different faces. From the innocent but persecuted Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, a picture perfect housewife with a deep-seeded restlessness in Pleasantville, to the overbearing mother in The Notebook. But can she pull off the cold and calculating President Alma Coin in our beloved Mockingjay movies? To find out, we can take a look at her work as Pamela Landry in The Bourne franchise. Allen portrays a leader much like Coin, and what the two ladies share is a strong dedication to their perspective causes. On the outside they carry a strength and confidence that inspires people to follow them, and yet they both have their own agendas. I think Joan could pull off the role very well, and what gives her an edge is the wide range in her filmography. Allen’s kind of talent can give President Coin a well-rounded outer shell, in addition to bringing out her inner darkness.

Stay tuned for more Coin fan casting. Sound off in the comments who you hope to see as Coin!

Liam Hemsworth is now on Twitter!

Finally! A couple hours ago, Liam posted this tweet announcing his Twitter arrival:

 

Make sure to follow him @LiamHemsworth for updates from him and his team!