| This isn’t exactly a surprising chunk of news, more a confirmation. But after being offered the role of Plutarch Heavensbee in Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire, Philip Seymour Hoffman has officially accepted the part. Plutarch, as readers of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy will know, is the Head Gamemaker for the 75th Hunger Games, which adds a special, evil touch of flair by having current winners Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) competing against other former victors from the various districts. Hoffman should be able to bring the right level of creepy smugness to the man who puts everyone through the wringer, and he joins a cast that also includes returning Games names Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland, plus new face Jena Malone as Johanna Mason. With Francis Lawrence directing this one from a script by Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be out on November 22, 2013. Hoffman was last seen in Moneyball, worked on Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and has Anton Corbijn’s A Most Wanted Man in his future. | 
