My Way into the Story: Part 2

So I found them. And they are brilliant. OK, that statements a bit too egotistical. But I like my choices. And I hope that the film gets them at least close.

President Snow - Matt Riedy

 Picture him with a grimace and spurting blood. I pictured President Snow suave but manipulative; lanky but firm. He has to come off as a man who wants power but somehow humble too so we understand why the Capitol adores him. Tough job and this guy has the look.

Cinna - Hugh Dancy

 I was having the hardest time deciding on a Cinna. Then I was tooling IMDB and found a picture of Hugh. I literally gasped out loud about the perfection. For me, this is not only the look I pictured, but I wouldn't mind if they cast him! He's a brilliant actor. If you don't believe me, watch the movie 'Adam'.

Finnick Odair - Luke Mitchell

 This is the best I could find. He's a little too surfer, pretty boy than what I pictured, but Finnick DID grow up by the sea (AND uses a trident). I also pictured him a little more brunette, but not dark. He's suave, but has insecurities and a humbleness (eventually). Anyone have a better suggestion? I'm open.

So, there you go. I don't want to get into the prep team or any of the other tributes or side characters, just the important ones. I think I found a fairly good mirror of my imagination. Apparently Lionsgate has pushed the film to a 2013 release date, but I'm optimistic. If they can get this movie out before the end of the world (i.e. December 2012), that would be golden.

My Way into the Story

"People view the books differently - as romance, as dystopian, as action adventure, as political... so there seems to be more than one way into the story." Suzanne Collins, best selling author of The Hunger Games Trilogy

The Hunger Games is the new book series catching fire all over the world (yes, pun intended - if you've read the books). It takes place in "the not too distant future" where America no longer exists and a new country called Panem pits teenagers against one another in an outdoor, controlled arena once a year. They are to fight to the death and only one is allowed to survive out of the chosen 24 from each of the 12 districts. The story is gut-wrenching and so beautifully told. To me, the books were all the above views combined and then some. What makes a great book is something so truthful it can't be denied: sacrifice.

I'm not going to blog about how intricate the web of story-telling is, or how stunning the details are. I'm not going to sit here and blurt out my feelings or rail against the emotional roller coaster Ms. Collins takes you on.  Read the books for yourself and find out. Make your own assumptions and opinions. This blog is for me to be a little creative and try my hand at being a casting director. Mind you, I haven't seen some of these actors act, so I don't know if they'd actually capture the intensity of the characters spirits, but this is how I physically pictured them. So hold tight, and for those of you who have read the series, let me know if you agree, disagree or vehemently loathe my imagined perceptions. But this is my way into the story.

Katniss Everdeen - Kaya Scodelario

Take a peek at some of her other pictures on Google. She IS Katniss. There are many fan-made trailers for the movie already, and she is one of the ones whose image is used the most to represent our protagonist. I'm prone to agree. Her look is perfect.

Peeta Mellark - Alex Pettyfer

So you can't get much more perfect than this. Only problem is, if they truly consider him for the role, he's a little older now (21) and might not work as well. But this is how I pictured Peeta. EXACTLY.

Gale Hawthorne - Daren Kagasoff

He's cute. He could be trouble. He's got the Seam look. He could be related to Kaya. It all works.

Haymitch Abernathy - Stellan Skarsgard

Now Haymitch is only supposed to be 41 at the oldest. I know Stellan is a *bit* older, but this how I pictured him. A little larger than life, tough but sweet. You can really make Stellan ragged and drunk and sweet all at the same time. And I have seen him act. He's golden.

Prim Everdeen - Elle Fanning

So I think this one is a no brainer. Except, she might be too old by the time filming starts. Bummer. But this is what was in my head. And my heart. And she's just so darn cute!

Rue - Willow Smith

So I didn't initially picture Rue being black. Just being honest. However, I did some Googling directly after reading the book and came across this gem of an idea. She's a bit older than this picture now, which has been my issue with choosing a cast, but still. Picture this when you read the book(s). At this age. With this innocence.

Plutarch - James Woods

OK, don't laugh. I'm serious. His character is one of those ones that goes back and forth - do I as the reader trust him? Yes. NO! Wait... I think? Yes, yes I do. Ummmm... Woods can play that to a T. And he can be suave. I'm serious!

Effie Trinket - Miranda Richardson

Only because all I kept picturing while reading was Rita Skeeter. It's not fair, really. They're practically the same character. Except, one's redeemable and one's not. I'll leave that up to your decision.

President Coin - Cherry Jones

Yes I stole this idea from my sister. Yes she's what comes to mind when you think of a female president. Damn you, 24. However, boy does she have the acting chops and bravado to pull this off and pull it off well. Is it weird that I want to be her? Jones, not Coin.

My biggest challenge is finding President Snow. He's deliciously evil. He's ashen, white as a ghost, with lots of pink blush. And he smells like roses and blood. OK, so maybe that's not important to choosing a look-a-like, but still. That detail will never leave me and I will never smell roses the same again. Thanks a lot, Suzanne Collins. Suggestions on Snow if you've read the series? My mind initially runs to a grown up Draco Malfoy, but I've done the Harry Potter reference already this post, so I need to be more open and creative. I imagine him stick-thin and commanding. He's got to come off a bit likable in a presidential sort of way, but at the root completely vile. Still searching...

Also, Finnick and Cinna are going to be a bit harder to nail. Apparently I'm going to need a Part 2 of this post. Stayed tuned...

Ever-Present Help

What a doozy of a storm has hit New England this week. Like a blow to the ego, it came rolling in and knocked Boston on its behind. The wind whipped through the alleys and wrangled the snow around and around until there was no telling which way was up. There was no calm while the storm ravaged. No quiet moment to spy a chipmunk hopping on top of the snow or to hear the birds chirping in their hiding places. No peace until the storm subsided. Only gravity was pertinent in getting from one place to the other. That constant, ever present, ever reliable, ever solid fact of life called gravity.

I didn't do too well when the storm hit this week. I stayed in my house. Closed off. Sheltered. Wondering when it was going to end and how long will it last? Without the help of the forecasters, there's usually no telling. And even then they don't get it quite right. I feel bad for the Native Americans and Puritans who lived here before us and dealt with the harsh weather without knowing its end. They had to trust God and trust Him completely. Put their whole life, even their insecurities and imperfections, in His hands to help them through each storm. They had to gather with their family for warmth and comfort. They had to rely on God's providence when a member or members of their family became noticeably and impossibly ill. It knocks the wind out of you when it's a family member, wondering how is it possibly you this time? I guess it had to be. No immune system can defeat every bout with the cold or flu, or worse. Every immune system fights and fights hard for that body to live another day. The fever may get worse. The headaches may rage. But I have confidence that the immune system will finally assault this parasite with much ever-present help.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
                              Psalm 46:1