Has Also Been In Talks For ‘Oz The Great And Powerful’
To be honest, this writer has about zero interest in “Hunger Games” and has found the daily, piecemeal, no-name casting announcements to be irritating as hell, but now that opinion is swinging back around. At least temporarily.
In what should get the “Hunger Games” forums and fansites buzzing this weekend, Vulture is reporting that John C. Reilly is in talks to play Haymitch Abernathy in the film. And while the movie might seem like a weird fit for Reilly, read on. Haymitch is drunk who just also happens to be the only person from District 12 — where Katniss Everdeen hails from — to have won at the Hunger Games. However, the mental and physical toll turned him to alcohol, but asked by Katniss and Peeta for help, he agrees to sober up and mentor them. So basically just take Deansie from “Cedar Rapids” and put him in “Hunger Games” and there you go (at least that’s how we like to imagine it).
It will certainly be a choice that will throw fans for a loop — John C. Reilly’s name hasn’t been anywhere near this series for any of the roles, not even in die-hard fan wishlist casting — so it will be interesting to see how the core audience reacts. But nothing is official just yet and Vulture says that he’s also been sought for a role in Sam Raimi‘s “Oz: The Great and Powerful,” but those discussions hit a roadblock, presumably because of this.
So what do you say fans? Yay or nay on Reilly? “Hunger Games” hits on March 23, 2012.
