Now that we’ve got a director and a release date, the cast of the highly anticipated book-to-film adaptation of The Hunger Games has to be next, right? Considering the film is expected to go into production in late spring or summer, that cast really does have to come together quite soon and it seems as though Lionsgate knows it because they’re most recent hire is casting director Debra Zane.
While just about all of young Hollywood is interested in snagging a part in this film, Zane will certainly have her work cut out for her. Clearly with the high level of interest, Lionsgate should have no problem attracting as many A-listers as they want. However, both director, Gary Ross, and producer, Nina Jacobson, have said that they’re considering casting unknown actors in the lead roles. Lionsgate’s president of motion picture production, Allie Shearmur, said their biggest challenge will be casting “the people you imagined [as the characters] but not the ones you expected.” I guess that means we can all throw our wish lists out the window. Or should we?
According to WSJ.com, Shearmur said, “There is this fan ardor and frankly good ideas that you don’t want to discount. We’re definitely paying attention to it.” On the other hand, all of those casting rumors that have been running rampant on the web for the past few weeks? Not true. Shearmur firmly stated that not a single audition has taken place yet. At this point, the plan of action is to create a level playing field for the folks vying for the roles so that up-and-comers have just as much of a shot as an actor with a notable name.
This is really some of the best news we’ve heard in a while. There’s only a little something about Zane that raises some concern. She recently worked on Twilight: Breaking Dawn and considering The Hunger Games is incessantly being dubbed as the next Twilight – which is true in some facets, but not in most – we don’t want to be drawing any more parallels between the two. Then again, Zane’s resume also includes Pleasantville and Seabiscuit, both of which she worked on with Ross exemplifying their successful working relationship. Oh, and let’s not forget the work she’s done on dozens of fantastic productions.
On top of Zane’s notoriety, the approach the team is taking to casting this film is particularly exciting. As much as I’d love to see every single actor I named in my dream cast appear in the film, there’d certainly be something disappointing about going with the obvious choices. Secondly, by casting all familiar faces, we could be missing out on some extraordinary talent. By “leveling the playing field,” the casting department should have a fairly diverse pool to choose from and, in the end, that assortment could be dwindled down to a proper amalgamation of fresh talent and familiar faces, something that could make this film more than just the next big franchise and really do the source material some justice.
By Perri Nemiroff
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