Friday, June 28, 2013

Julianne Moore In Talks to Play Coin?



Yesterday, reports came out saying that Julianne Moore is currently in "early talks" to play President Alma Coin in both Mockingjay films. This came exclusively from Deadline:

As The Hunger Games moves into the final two movies culled from the Suzanne Collins novel Mockingjay, I’ve heard that Lionsgate and director Francis Lawrence are eyeing Julianne Mooreto play the role of President Alma Coin. She is the manipulative politician who figures brightly in the finale as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) becomes a symbol of rebellion against the autocratic Capitol government. This is likely to happen quickly, and Moore would star in both of the final films, which brings back Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth and the returning cast along with Philip Seymour Hoffman, who will be making his first appearance in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which the studio is planning to bring to San Diego Comic-Con in July. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson is producing the series.
So far many entertainment outlets have been reporting this, even The Hollywood Reporter. It seems too good to be true, yet we have been fooled by reports such as these before. Remember the John C. Reilly incident? We don't trust anything until Lionsgate confirms, so in the meantime we'll be treating this as a RUMOR.

It's a coincidence this news came out yesterday seeing how we just recently posted the fansite-wide "Campaigning for Coin" on Julianne Moore. To see what fans have to say about Julianne Moore as Alma Coin, check out the post HERE!

Source: Deadline

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Campaigning for Coin: Katey Sagal





Welcome to "Campaigning for Coin"! We're looking at Alma Coin hopefuls, and today we look at Katey Sagal ! As you read these posts, please comment on who your fan cast for Coin is! 

*SPOILER ALERT!*


Welcome to District 12

Courtney/Tiffany - Aside from Married with Children and "Futurama", we have seen Katey's performance on "Sons of Anarchy", a role most closely associated with Alma Coin. Gemma's character is strong but manipulative. She plays this role particularly well, but we're not too sure she is a perfect fit for Coin. She could do well, yes, but we just don't see her excelling in this role as much as some other candidates we have discussed. Also, we're having a hard time seeing her wanting to be a part of The Hunger Games since we're remembering a very opinionated tweet from her husband Kurt Sutter calling it "Twilight with evil sports".


Savanna: Unfortunately, I haven't seen Katey Sagal in anything other than Married With Children and Lost, so I don't have a very wide range of projects to pull from as I assess her "Coin potential." That being said, just knowing that she once portrayed the hilariously outrageous Peg Bundy and then went on to give such a nuanced performance as Helen Norwood makes me feel like she can probably handle anything! Although Helen's role on Lost wasn't large, Sagal made the character memorable. While I would never have thought of her as a possible Coin on my own, the more I think about it, the more I love it. It would definitely be an unexpected casting choice, which makes the idea even more appealing to me. Acting skills aside, I feel that Sagal has a wonderful look for the part as well. She has such a strong, almost regal-looking face which I can easily envision going from cool and authoritative to absolutely menacing in a heartbeat.


Lindsay: For many, Katey Sagal will only ever be Peg Bundy from Married With Children. However, she is quite a talented singer and comedic AND dramatic actress, and is often looked over for a role like this. She is not someone I'd have thought of for Coin, so I really had to consider her once she was mentioned. She's the right age and has a fantastic look for Coin. My biggest issue with her, though it seems kind of small, is her very slow speaking style. Not that she can't speak quickly. But the way her speech comes across to me is very casual and laid back. I tend to think of Coin as being quick and curt. Again, that's not something that's a dealbreaker for me, but strangely is the main reason I think it'd be an odd bit of casting.


Crystal: Sadly, I haven't seen Katey Sagal in much lately except for a few episodes of LOST, which was years ago. I've always wanted to watch Sons of Anarchy since I hear so much about her performance, but have never seen the show. I will say that I think she has a hardened look that could work well for Coin. I used to watch Married with Children and Futurama, so while it can be hard to look at her and not see ditzy Peg Bundy or one-eyed Leela, I think I could still detach her from those roles if she did a good enough job. And if she's in Sons of Anarchy, I'd say she's had lots of practice in being tough!


Kristen: Katey Sagal plays a Grade-A manipulator while simultaneously maintaining a caring, fiercely protective character archetype on the TV show Sons of Anarchy. That really surprised me, considering all I've ever seen her do prior to SOA was comedy. Don't be fooled by her stint on the sitcom Married...With Children; this woman is remarkably capable of playing a tough girl. However, if Sagal were to be cast as Coin, I worry that her acting history may lead audiences to see Alma Coin as a much less societally-threatening character than she was created to be. Sagal undoubtedly has acting chops, I just don’t want to be sitting in the movie theater watching Alma Coin on screen, but hearing Peggy Bundy in my head.


Molly: Most of you probably aren't old enough to remember Katey Sagal as the bouffant-sporting shopaholic housewife Peg Bundy in the sitcom Married With Children. And that’s GOOD because Katey Sagal is so much more than Peg Bundy, She's a remarkable woman. She's an actress and singer with a gorgeous, soulful voice who's been working in the industry forever, mostly on TV with some stage work sprinkled in. She's done a lot of comedy in the past, but her Golden Globe-winning turn as Gemma in Sons of Anarchy proves she knows how to play tough. She's the right age. She may not have been my immediate pick for Coin, but I like Katey Sagal and she’s got the talent to play the role. The biggest problem I see with casting Katey Sagal as Coin is that it doesn’t have that "wow" factor that they should be seeking for this role. Remember when we found out Donald Sutherland was cast as President Snow - “wow!” We're going to need a President Coin of equal caliber, and I’m not sure Katey fits the bill.


Amanda: To be honest, this was a tough one for our entire staff. When discussing Katey Sagal as Coin, nearly each one of us said, "Peggy Bundy?" Granted, I know she's done other things - I loved her on "8 Simple Rules," was excited about her stint on "Lost," recognized her voice in Disney's "Smart House," and am aware the she received rave reviews (and award nominations) for her role on "Sons of Anarchy", though I've never seen the show. And though I adore her as an actress, the idea of her as Coin is completely out of left field and I'm just not sure I can get on board. Has she shown the range necessary for Coin through her TV roles? Can she overcome the character she is famous for from "Married with Children," even with the right hair and makeup? Can fans look past her very recognizable voice and see her as the plain, nondescript Coin? Too many questions that I don't have the answers too, so for me, Katey isn't quite a fit for the role.


Rebekah: I know for some people Katey Sagal being fan-cast as Alma Coin
is kind of out of left field, but if you really think about it, it's
not. Katey Sagal to the laymen is best known for her work on the long
running '90s sit-com, Married With Children,
but I screamingly implore people to get passed the image you have of
her as Peggy Bundy, with her teased red hair (which was a wig), to her
gum chewing, lip smacking, feminine crossed legs that never stopped
moving, to her loud low-cut tops, and her leggings-- Katey Sagal is so
much more than Peggy Bundy. Katey Sagal has been in the entertainment
business for over 40 years, starting out as a back up singer for famous
musicians like Bob Dylan, and Bette Midler. She has an on going solo
music career herself, and she's even been interviewed and promoted on
such highly respected shows like Fresh Air on
NPR. Music is one of her main passions, but she is an actress who hasn't
stopped working seemingly for the last 30 years. She has 14 recurring
roles to her name, three of which are roles she's still in the midst of
doing, or is contracted to reprise eventually. Those roles are Gemma
Teller Morrow on the critically acclaimed FX series Sons of Anarchy,
where she plays the matriarch to a chapter of a fictionalized motor
cycle club that's meant to resemble The Hells Angels. Gemma is a force
to be reckoned with, and the role has let Katey do things that many
actresses would simply be afraid to take on in realistic, and painfully
honest ways. Gemma's no angel, for lack of a better word, but she's
someone who you can relate to, love, and hate all at the same time, so
in that sense I just described Alma Coin. Other roles she's still
contracted to portray, Nancy Abrams on Glee, aka Artie's mom, and then of course there's Turanga Leela on the long running, and much-loved animated series Futurerama.
Katey's also recognizable from her work on the ABC sit-com 8 Simple
Rules, which co-starred the late John Ritter, and the now beloved Kaley
Cuoco from The Big Bang Theory. And then there's her work on the ABC drama/thriller, Lost--
where she played John Locke's love interest. The only thing that puts
Katey Sagal out of the realistic category where it comes to being cast
as Coin is this, she's freakin' busy all the time, and it would simply
be amazing if she were cast, because it means she's has the best
scheduling skills on the face of the Earth.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Catching Fire at Comic-Con

Fandango has just announced that they will be moderating the Lionsgate panel, Saturday July 20th at Comic-Con. The panel will highlight both Catching Fire and I, Frankenstein and will feature talent from and some new footage from both films. Check out the press release below!



FANDANGO'S DAVE KARGER TO MODERATE LIONSGATE'S COMIC-CON PANEL FEATURING
"THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE" AND "I, FRANKENSTEIN"

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE Voted by
Fandango Fans as Most Anticipated 2013 Movie 

LOS ANGELES  June 26, 2013 – Lionsgate announced today that Fandango Chief Correspondent Dave Karger will moderate a panel on Saturday, July 20th at the San Diego Comic-Con, featuring talent and exclusive footage from two of the studio’s upcoming films THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (opening November 22, 2013, the film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth) and I, FRANKENSTEIN(opening January 24, 2014, the film stars Aaron Eckhart, Yvonne Strahovski and Bill Nighy).  Talent from both films will be in attendance for the panel during which the studio will debut an exclusive new trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE and never-before-seen footage from I, FRANKENSTEIN.

Starting today, moviegoers will have the chance to submit questions for panel participants through the films' Facebook pages (www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie and www.facebook.com/ifrankensteinmovie) and Fandango’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/fandango) using the hashtags #CatchingFireComicCon and #IFrankensteinComicCon. Answers to select questions will be posted on those Facebook pages.

Fandango fans have been closely following the entire HUNGER GAMES saga from its first day of production.   A January 2013 moviegoer survey of thousands of moviegoers on Fandango found that the film’s follow-up, THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, was voted the most anticipated movie of the year.

Stay connected for SDCC updates related to these two Lionsgate films using and searching for the hashtags #CatchingFireComicCon and #IFrankensteinComicCon.

Don't forget to head over to the Fandango/Hunger Games Movie facebook to submit questions for the panel!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Campaigning for Coin: Julianne Moore



Welcome to "Campaigning for Coin"! Today's discussion is about Julianne Moore! As you read these posts, please comment on who your fan cast for Coin is! 

*SPOILER ALERT!*


Welcome to District 12

Courtney/Tiffany: We are in agreement that Julianne Moore is one of our favorite actresses. She's a solid actress and has had a very diverse career. I mean, she has Maude Lebowski, Clarice Starling and Sarah Palin on her resume, to name a few. Sarah Palin is a perfect example of a role that Julianne already has under her belt and could be very helpful to her playing Coin. However, we do think that her look isn't as cold and calculating as we imagine President Coin to be. But then again, that can work in her favor because who is to suspect ulterior motives from someone like Julianne Moore? A plus for her is that she has worked with Josh Hutcherson before, playing his mother in The Kids Are All Right. Last but not least she seems to be a fan favorite among THG fans, so that's a super bonus too!

Down With The Capitol

Aldrin: Now, I've seen Julianne Moore's acting and it's clear she knows what she's doing. I can go on and on about how I loved her in Nine Months or The Kids Are All Right (also starring Josh Hutcherson), but let's look at something very obvious that proves she's good for Coin: she played Sarah Palin in Game Change. Trying not to sound too political here, but Sarah Palin was someone who was given lots of power, some might say more than she should have had. Some supported her, some hated her. Sound familiar? Granted, Palin and Coin are two entirely different people in so many ways, but the general principle applies. Julianne Moore has experience playing a woman in power, who had to put on a tough exterior despite the fact that many disagreed with her actions. Combine that with her impeccable acting skills in so many other roels, and I think you've got someone who could play Coin perfectly.
Adam: Julianne Moore may not be quite as vicious and belligerent as some of the other candidates, but she certainly can act. In my view, she would excel at portraying the softer side of Coin, which could be extremely effective in fooling the populace -- then, when she proves to be much worse, it will be as shocking as it was for Panem's citizens. Moore is famous recently for The Kids Are All Right and Game Change, but I see a parallel with her role as a blood-to-the-bone revolutionary in Children of Men. There, she was good, but she had some of the same character traits as Coin, and she proved plenty competent in handling them. Moore would not be my top top choice, but I would still be fine with her selection.


Lindsay: I am a fan of Julianne Moore and I think she is a stellar actress. She has impressive range, and when I think of her, I think of both her big laughs, and her sad/angry expressions, all at once. Her previous characters that stick in my brain are from The Kids Are Alright, and her stint on 30 Rock (with that wicked awful Boston accent!). But for some reason she doesn't jump out at me for Coin. While I think she could play the role with her hands tied behind her back (well, not really, obviously), I just almost feel like I have NO opinion about her. Which makes me think I don't like her for the role. Would I be disappointed if she were cast? No way! She's a superstar and has the Emmy Award and numerous Oscar nominations to prove it. But she's not my first choice.


Jacqui: I am a big fan of Julianne Moore. She is quite a few of my favorite movies, including the Big Lebowski, The Hours, Far From Heaven and The Kids are All Right. Her perfomances are nuanced and compelling. She is one of those actresses that can balance drama and comedy with great effect; she can come across as completely empathetic, but also mysterious and remote. Her career is a mix of diverse and interesting roles and she's definitely one of those onscreen people that you can't take your eyes off. I think she would definitely bring something special to the role of Alma Coin.


Molly Amberson - I admit Julianne Moore never crossed my mind as an option for Coin, but now that I’ve had it swirling around in my head for a while I’m starting to love the idea.She’s an amazingly versatile character actress, she’s the perfect age, and can’t you imagine her rocking a razor sharp grey wig? I can certainly see her as the icy Coin with her fair skin and (cue the contact lenses) grey, pale eyes the color of slush “you wish would melt away.” It could also be one great big reunion - She’s worked with Josh Hutcherson in The Kids Are All Right, Woody Harrelson in Game Change, and Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Big Lebowski, Boogie Nights, and Magnolia. And her upcoming film Seventh Son ALMOST had her working with both Jennifer Lawrence (she bowed out) and Sam Claflin (he auditioned for the lead).


Lee: Julianne Moore is one of the more interesting choices to play President Coin. Her work is so diverse, it's a challenge to view any single performance and point to determine her ability to play Coin. The characters she has portrayed have a level of intensity and her performances always exude tremendous energy. Many of the roles have been determined women, focused and willing to take risks to succeed. These are all qualities that President Coin has. Always a chameleon in her roles, Ms. Moore would be visually striking with snow-white hair, sparkling eyes, and a sense of invincibility in her portrayal.


Rebekah: If you follow my writing on Victor's Village at all, you should know by now that Julianne Moore is one of a handful of actresses I've already written up about as a potential Alma Coin. Face it, Julianne is no slouch where it comes to acting talent, she has one of the more diverse, and critically embraced careers of an A-list who's still regularly working actress out there. From her work in films like Benny & Joon, Short Cuts, Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski, A Map of the World, The End of the Affair, Magnolia, Far from Heaven, The Hours, The Children of Men, A Single Man, The Kids Are All Right, Game Change, and the recently released What Maisie Knew, she's proven herself as someone who 100 times over is capable of portraying every single kind of woman you can even remotely imagine. This woman is not afraid to take on even the most weird, the most despicable, the most shallow, and the most intense, and the most sad types of people. She's an actors actor, and the thought of her taking on a role like Alma Coin gives me giddy shivers down my spine, because I know she would sink her teeth into Alma's character like a juicy steak, and chew it slowly, precisely, and oddly beautifully. I've seen comments that some of the choices in this on going fan-casting series are too predictable, well-- Julianne Moore has never taken on a predictable project in her entire career. She does big budget films like The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Evolution with David Duchovny, and tiny art house films like Chicago Cab, and Savage Grace with Eddie Redmayne, and then mixes it up by taking a recurring role on 30 Rock opposite Alec Baldwin. No one, and I mean no one can say that Julianne Moore being cast as Alma Coin is predictable. This is why she's one of my top choices for Alma Coin, and also because I really really want to see her go head to head with Jennifer Lawrence.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Campaigning for Coin: Cate Blanchett




Welcome to "Campaigning for Coin"! The fan sites have been examine Coin possibilities the past few weeks and today we take a look at Cate Blanchett! As you read these posts, please comment on who your fan cast for Coin is! 

*SPOILER ALERT!*


Welcome to District 12

Courtney - Cate Blanchett is my number one pick for Coin, guys. Not only is she a superb actress, but has had experience playing women in power. Elizabeth: The Golden Age earned Blanchett an Academy Award nominee and her portrayal Galadriel has won over the hearts of Tolkien nerds everywhere. Talk about playing a women in power! Galadriel is so ancient, she's probably the only elf left alive in Middle Earth during the War of the Ring who has seen the Light of Valinor with her own eyes. All I'm getting at here is that Cate Blanchett is great at playing a women in power and playing it straight, whether her intentions are good or bad. She is also striking in the same way we gave a super thumbs up to Tilda Swinton. Cate Blanchett has the look I want for Coin, and it doubly helps she's got the experience.
Adam: Cate Blanchett has achieved as much as she could ever hope for as a thespian, which leaves her in a rather enviable spot: She can pick and choose which roles she wants. The question becomes, then, whether she wants to be part of the Hunger Games franchise, because it would be difficult to imagine Nina Jacobson, Francis Lawrence and company ever saying no to such a revered, accomplished actress. Perhaps her most comparable role to date was her turn as Marissa Wiegler in Hanna -- a vicious, calculating character with ruthless ambitions, yet also with tiny doses of empathy that come and go with the breeze. She has proven adept at being charismatic and stoic (Galadriel in LOTR, for instance), and with Mockingjay spaced out into two films, she would have plenty of screen time to enhance the book version of President Coin. Cate Blanchett is capable of playing anyone, and anyone would be lucky to have her, so if a match is desired, nothing but greatness would ensue.

Amie: Cate Blanchet is no stranger to science fiction and fantasy films, having played the beautiful Galadriel in Lord of the Rings. However to see exactly why miss Blanchet would be a perfect Coin, you must see her as Queen Elizabeth in the Elizabeth films. She brings a nation into it's golden age, and is praised among her people. Her strength and solidarity in this role is stunning. Yet she is vulnerable, and afraid, and, when in the private of her room or few trusted friends, she will break down. We don't have any moments in Mockingjay where we get to see Coin's breakdowns and weaknesses, but we know they are there, and these are elemets that must be in the film. Coin is a layered character; Cate is a layered actress. Don't let her beauty fool you, and she is gorgeous. I met her in person at a premiere and couldn't stop staring. She is flawless. This is another incredible thing, with how beautiful she is, her talent as an actress can make you think her to look plain and frumpy if she wants you to see her this way. If Cate were Coin, she would be an asset to a talented and seasoned cast, and I would be jumping for joy.


Tash: Some illustrious actresses have already been discussed through the Campaigning for Coin series and Cate Blanchett is another. Of course being Australian I am going to be biased, but Blanchett's achievements are remarkable and her filmography speaks for itself. Perhaps best known to many for her role as Galadriel in the 'Lord of the Rings', Blanchett is also one of a handful to have been nominated for both a Supporting and Best Actress Academy Award in the same year. We're also talking about the woman who has portrayed Queen Elizabeth I, Katharine Hepburn and Bob Dylan (!) on screen. I think Blanchett would make a really interesting Coin and bring the multiple layers of Coin's personality to screen really well. She can exude charisma and confidence when she needs to and I always imagined Coin as a woman who knew exactly how to manipulate the situation in her favour without making waves and making her intentions obvious. The audience needs to be slow to work this out like Katniss was and I think Blanchett would be perfect at throwing the audience off the scent by creeping up on us slowly. Another thing I find important about the role of Coin is that ultimately her tale was rather tragic as well, on some level you do sympathise with her despite her actions. I can see Blanchett perfectly portraying the subtle malice, fierce determination, ambition, fear and cunning that Coin possesses and would love to see her in the role.


Kristen: Cate Blanchett...What comes to mind for me is her role as Marissa in the film Hanna. She had an objective and was ruthless when it came to attaining her goal. Of course, prior to that she made an absolutely brilliant head of state in her role as Queen Elizabeth I. That being said, she could definitely work as President Coin. The only real issue I have with Cate is that she's much younger than I had pictured Coin to be.

Megan: Hands down Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actresses. She just has a way about her that has "Classic Hollywood Icon" (as well as fashion icon) written all over it. She is graceful and so stunning. The list of films she's been apart of goes on for miles. Cate has been nominated a total of 5 times for an Academy Award for her roles in Elizabeth, Notes on a Scandal, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, I'm Not There and The Aviator (which did win her an Oscar for Best Supporting Role). Cate also portrayed Galadriel in the "Lord of the Rings" series, which is at the top of my all time favorite flicks list. She was brilliant in the film! I honestly believe Cate could take on any role given to her. If she were cast as Coin she'd nail it. She would be an amazing addition to the Hunger Games cast, but with all of that said she is not my first choice. Her looks are a bit too youthful (which could be changed) and to me President Coin should be played by someone a bit older or lesser known. There are several others who cross my mind for Coin and she's not one that particularly stands out.


Tiffany: As a huge Lord of the Rings fan, I can't help but be excited by the thought of Cate Blanchett as President Coin. She has played rulers before, from Elf Queen Galadriel to one of the greatest rulers in history Queen Elizabeth I. She has an expansive filmography with a wide range of roles, so I have no doubt she could pull of Alma Coin. I think she could play cold, calculating President Coin very well. She has a face that can go from warm and friendly to harsh and vengeful in an instant. My only hesitance is, does she need another high profile role in a book-to-movie franchise?

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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.


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.


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.

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!


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?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Thursday, June 13, 2013

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.


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?


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.


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.


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.


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?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

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. 


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.


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.


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.


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.


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!


Monday, June 10, 2013

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!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

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!


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.


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.


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.


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!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

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!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

HQ Still of Effie and Peeta

Check out this HQ still of Effie and Peeta! Looks like it could be from the big Capitol party scene. Click to enlarge.


A LQ version from the July 2013 issue of Empire magazine has been making the rounds so it's great to see it in all it's high-quality glory.

Source: Hunger Games Network

Campaigning for Coin: Tilda Swinton



Welcome to "Campaigning for Coin"! We're looking at Alma Coin hopefuls and today we bring you Tilda Swinton! 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 Tilda Swinton. Here's what we had to say:

Welcome To District 12
Courtney/Tiffany: Courtney/Tiffany: Tilda Swinton is a top choice. Again, she often plays a position of power and her physical structure (specifically in her face) are straight edges. This goes very well with Coin's description of her hair which is very precise. Those straight lines in her face says cold and calculating, making her a great choice for Coin. Let's also not forget that she would go well with the other adult actors being an Oscar winner. We have no doubts about her acting ability, and her physical looks seals the deal. The only possible downer I could see in Tilda is that you're not supposed to suspect what kind of person Coin REALLY is. What will newcomer's opinion be of Tilda Swinton in this role? Will the audience assume she is not what she seems because Tilda Swinton is playing her? Much like the book, Coin's "alignment" should be ambiguous to the audience.

Down with the Capitol 
Emily: I believe Tilda Swinton would be a brilliant casting choice for our President Coin. I am a huge Narnia fan and she wowed me with her performance as the White Witch in the franchise. It’s obvious to me that she would be able to pull off cold hearted and power hungry Coin. I have also seen her in Constantine (which Francis Lawrence directed) and thought she was great. She really has a knack for twisted, calculating characters—which Coin definitely is. In my mind, she looks the part. She’s the right age, has very unique, fierce looking features and definitely has those “eyes that could burn straight through you”. One of my biggest issues with this casting is that I want a seasoned actor, but not someone who would be too recognizable or would not be detachable from their previous roles. To me, Tilda Swinton fits the bill perfectly. My only concern is that she’s done the mega-hit book to movie franchise before and I don’t know if she’d want or need to do it again, but my fingers are crossed that Francis Lawrence is able to give her a call.

HG Fireside Chat 
Adam: Tilda Swinton has always walked that tight rope between benevolent and menacing, whether it be in The Beach or -- in what was a masterful performance -- Michael Clayton. Coin embodies both of those characteristics, at first seeming to be the savior of Panem, but later, a ruthless commander with great ambition and chipped-away morals. Swinton possesses the acting chops, the look, and the complexity to deliver. She would be a mighty fine choice, capable of bringing a potent element to the Mockingjay films and, more specifically, to the ascetic stylizing of District 13.

HG Girl on Fire
Amie: If you've seen The Chronicles of Narnia then you know that Tilda Swinton has the rare and perfect ability to be insatiably evil while you can't take your eyes off her every move. She was oddly comforting to Lucy Pevensie as she welcomed her into her cold arms, while have plans that would only benefit herself while being the end of Lucy and her brothers. She was the driving force of the Narnia film, bringing the white witch to life like never before on screen. This is an important quality the actress who plays Coin must have, while she is not considered evil, she has lost the ability to have human compassion like many other victims of the Capitol Dictatorship, which causes her to have little boundaries to how she chooses to he run her regime in District 13. Tilda had a calm yet unsettling demeanor, no matter how honest she is or how much she has your back, you know there is much more where it comes from and you are a afraid of what you must do to earn such loyalty from her. I can see her every move as Coin already, and that makes me nervous, because Coin is eerily predictable, a replica of a certain Capitol leader Katniss thinks is her real enemy, and soon realizes she has been mistaken. As far as Tilda Swinton's look, her interestingly plain face and minor facial expressions remind me perfectly of Katniss's description of her as "slush that you wish would melt away". Tilda is beyond talented as an actress, and very simple like Coin. She can hide her true intentions behind her cold eyes with perfect grace, and Tilda Swinton would be my pick for our Coin for Mockingjay P1 and P2.

Mockingjay.net
Carla: I don't think there's any doubt as to why Tilda Swinton is part of this list; most people would recognize her from playing characters that are in positions of power and demand attention-- from Archangel Gabriel to the White Witch-- and out of her impressive repertoire, her antagonist roles particularly stand out to me. Even her real life traits, her appearance, facial features and tone of voice inspire one to think of a serious, highly intelligent and sofisticated mind. I have no doubt she can pull off a great President Coin if she's cast. My only doubt is: would it be too much of a good thing? Coin would do anything for power, certainly; she was a woman without scruples and we've seen Swinton play roles like that memorably. But I don't want her to seem TOO calculating, TOO manipulative. To me, Coin has to have a certain appeal to the people as well; she wasn't a good person, but she was a competent president, as far as the people of Thirteen were concerned. So in my head, Coin has to straddle the line between shady antagonist and straight-out villain, much like Donald Sutherland does as President Snow. And I think Tilda Swinton might come across as too unapproachable for that. I wouldn't mind if she's chosen, personally, because I do think she's amazingly talented, but I think there are actresses out there who would portray this duality in a much more natural manner.

My Hunger Games 
Jacqui: Tilda Swinton is mesmerizing. She's fascinating. She's avante garde and I love her. I love her for her work on David Bowie's video for The Stars (are out tonight) and I love her because she slept in a box at the MoMa as part of an art installation.
Tilda is a gender bender and she plays luminious, ambiguous characters to perfection. In her career she has played the archangel Gabriel in the oddball comic book movie Constantine, the White Witch of Narnia, an Italian housewife, a woman who watches men age backward in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button while sipping tea with them, the mother of a teenage boy who commits a high school massacre and a Virginia Woolf character. She’s also the new face of Chanel, is about to star in the sci-fi thriller Snowpiercer, then follow up with a vampire romance called Only Lovers Left Alive. There's nothinig this woman can't do and she could certainly pull off a President Coin that looks like a legitimate face of the revolution, while harboring cruel intent. She would be perfect and a huge coup for the franchise.

The Hob
Lee: Tilda Swinton would make a very interesting President Coin. Her acting range is vast - playing an Archangel in Constantine, to the White Witch in the Chronicles of Narnia films, and contemporary fare such as her work in Michael Clayton - giving viewers confidence that any role she takes will be striking. Ms. Swinton becomes totally subsumed by the role she is portraying; cold, remote, and powerful. She always leverages the actors’ tools of physical and vocal attributes. Her President Coin would be frightening and riveting to watch.

Victor's Village
Rebekah: When I read Mockingjay the first time it was in the throws of needing to know what happens next above anything else, sometimes that included water, so when I was picturing the characters, like Alma Coin---all I saw was a woman with sharp features, cutting eyes, silver bobbed hair, a slender build, and a presence that screamed intelligence, cunning, and fortitude. It wasn't until the second time I read that book that I realized I was picturing Tilda Swinton, or a version of her, the whole time. So, now I can say it without any qualms, I think Tilda Swinton is ideal for the role of President Alma Coin. She's a fine actress who's made a name for herself as a character actress above the need for fame, in fact most of her work has been supporting roles, like her work in The Beach, The Deep End, Vanilla Sky, Adaptation, Young Adam (one of my favorites), Constantine, Broken Flowers, Michael Clayton, Burn After Reading, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the impacting independent film We Need to Talk About Kevin, and most recently the critically acclaimed Wes Anderson film, Moonrise Kingdom. She's of course most famous for her work in the blockbuster Narnia series as the White Witch, so obviously she knows how to play a quietly menacing character, but she's not the kind of actress that people will go see a film just to see her, she's an ensemble actress, the kind who thrives off the work, and the people she's collaborating with. And to me she's pleasant surprise to see when she shows up in films, even if sometimes her characters are not the most warm and fuzzy types. That's another thing about Tilda, she never picks boring parts, and she never adhere's to one genre, she's open, and she always, and I mean always delivers. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that she's already worked with Francis Lawrence on Constatine, and her schedule, according to her IMDb page, is wide open. Debra Zane, casting director extraordinaire, please hear my shouts, call Tilda's people ASAP!


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