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...