After the box office success of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes in 2023, it's no surprise fans would want to continue this exciting renaissance for the popular YA series. It seems like fans are getting their wish, considering it was just announced that a new Hunger Games novel focused on Haymitch is currently in the works, and a movie will come subsequently. Fan casting for a teenage Haymitch has already begun, with many also having their own casting wish lists for other characters in the Hunger Games world. Even with all this excitement, one member of the Catching Fire cast thinks there should be a movie to focus on a different character in the canon. 

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Jena Malone was asked about the up and coming Hunger Games prequel movie while she was promoting Horizon. The actress was supportive of the project, however was hoping for more of a different character focus for a prequel, specifically on her character, Johanna Mason. She told the outlet:

Johanna Mason definitely an interesting enough character to get her own novel or movie. For context, Mason was one of the victors of The Hunger Games from District 7 who once again had to re-enter the games due to the rules of the third Quarter Quell. She has a fiery, ruthless personality, and was first framed as a villain. However, her priorities were in the right place as she became an essential force in fighting the Capital during the rebellion. I personally would love an origin story for the character, and Malone might be onto something with this pitch. 

Despite being cast as Johanna over 10 years ago, the character clearly has a special place in Malone’s heart. She played the role brilliantly, and truly helped bring the character on the page to the big screen. The actress has since had quite the career following her stint in The Hunger Games. She’s had role’s in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice, Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon, and Rose Glass’s Love Lies Bleeding just this year. As incredible as she is in these projects, seeing her return to The Hunger Games world would be a big win for fans.

Even though this next film, which will be titled Sunset on the Reaping, will focus on Haymitch, a Johanna Mason prequel also can’t be ruled out. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes showed that there is truly an appetite for more Hunger Games material, and an interest in the dystopian world it exists within. If the Haymitch story is able to generate just as much buzz as the previous spin-off, fans can likely expect more spin-offs, sequels, and prequels to come from it. Then, it may finally be Johanna Mason’s time to shine. 

You can see Jenna Malone in three of the five existing Hunger Games films, which are all currently streaming on AMC+. If The Walking Dead wasn’t enough of a reason to subscribe to AMC+, The Hunger Games certainly should be. Sunset on the Reaping is still being developed, so fans will have to wait until 2026 before the prequel hits the big screen. In the meantime, make sure to check out our feature on upcoming 2024 movies for more information on other exciting projects heading to cinemas in the near future. 

Content warning: sexual assault. 

You may remember Jena Malone from starring in mainstream and independent films like Stepmom, Donnie Darko, and Saved!. Then, her highest-grossing film role was when she played Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and continued that role for Mockingjay Part 1 & 2. But a startling revelation recently occurred, as Malone admitted that during her Hunger Games experience, she was sexually assaulted by a co-worker. Whats more, she's worked “very hard” on the healing process in the years since. 

As you can see in her Catching Fire portrait, Jena Malone played the fierce and honest Johanna Mason who survived the Hunger Games once only to be brought back in during the 75th Quarter Quell. This talented actress revealed on Instagram she went through a tragic ordeal during filming when she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed co-worker. She tells her own story down below:

The Hunger Games franchise was filmed before the #MeToo movement when Kevin Spacey was accused of making advances toward Anthony Rapp when he was just 14, and when Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of multiple counts sexual assault. Now more people in the industry seemingly have found the courage in telling their stories of the sexual assault they’ve experienced on the set of movies and TV projects. The response that Malone received online has been incredibly supportive. Some fans also found the strength to reveal themselves as survivors of sexual assault as well, revealing a deep understanding of her tough journey toward healing. One person commented on how similar the Saved! actress was to her character in being brave and strong no matter how afraid she was. Clearly Malone's words and roles have really resonated with people. 

Another person who provided a comforting post to Jena Malone was her Hunger Games co-star Willow Shields who played Katniss’ sister Prim. While Shields mentioned Malone's post had her at a “loss for words,” she hopes that she one day becomes okay through this slow process. As for what the process was towards healing, the Donnie Darko star hasn’t said specifically what that entailed. She revealed to one of her commentators that she was not in that place right now to explain in full what she's been doing, but that one day she’ll try. 

A few curious people on Instagram did express they wished they knew who the particular Hunger Games co-worker was that Jena Malone was referring to. When one person commented that they felt this person walked away without any repercussions, Malone disagreed with that. The 38-year-old actress explained she used a process called “restorative justice” to heal herself from harm which moved her towards the hardest parts of grief compared to “outing” someone through cancel culture. 

Jena Malone is incredibly brave in being able to share her story with the public. My heart goes out to her as she gets the healing she’s been seeking. You can watch this Golden Globe-nominated actress’s performance in The Hunger Games franchise currently on your Netflix subscription.

Following his time in the DC Extended Universe helming Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and his version of Justice League (not to be confused with Joss Whedon’s theatrical version),  Zack Snyder made the jump to Netflix, first directing the zombie heist movie Army of the Dead for the platform. In addition to helping craft the prequel Army of Thieves, Snyder will helm the direct sequel Planet of the Dead, but the filmmaker isn’t just delivering tales involving the undead to Netflix subscribers. He also has a sci-fi epic out called Rebel Moon.

Originally envisioned as a Star Wars movie that Zack Snyder pitched to Lucasfilm prior to the company being purchased by Disney, Rebel Moon sees a peaceful colony at the edge of the galaxy called Veldt being threatened by the armies of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius, leader of the Mother World. In response, the colony’s citizens task a young woman with a mysterious past to recruit warriors from nearby planets to help them take a stand against Balisarius and his forces. Among the things we know about Rebel Moon is that the tale, which Snyder co-wrote with Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad, has been split into two movies shot back-to-back. 

An impressive collection of actors has been assembled for this story, including Sons of Anarchy’s Charlie Hunnam and Justice League’s Ray Fisher. But before we get to them, let’s talk about who’s playing the main protagonist.

Sofia Boutella

The enigmatic woman in Rebel Moon who’s seeking warriors to help protect Veldt, her adopted homeworld, is named Kora, and she's a deserter of the Imperium. Kora will be played by Sofia Boutella, who made a big splash in the mid-2010s starring in blockbusters like Kingsman: The Secret Service, Star Trek Beyond, The Mummy and Atomic Blonde. In more recent years, Boutella has appeared in Prisoners of the Ghostland, Settlers, SAS Rogue Heroes and the “The Viewing” episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, which also streams on Netflix. Since Kora is Rebel Moon’s main protagonist, it goes without saying she didn't die, so we'll see more of her in Rebel Moon Part 2.

Charlie Hunnam

As indicated earlier, Charlie Hunnam collected a lot of fans from his time playing Jax Teller in the FX series Sons of Anarchy, and he jumped back into the TV realm in 2022 to lead Shantaram, which can be streamed with an Apple TV+ subscription. Film-wise, Hunnam’s credits include Children of Men, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Triple Frontier and The Gentlemen. The actor appears in Rebel Moon as Kai, a mercenary who pilots the Tawau-Class freighter, which is "invaluable" to Kora's quest, although there proves to be more to him than meets the eye.

Ray Fisher

It’s not exaggerating to say that Zack Snyder launched Ray Fisher’s film career, as the actor’s first cinematic credit was cameoing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as Victor Stone, a.k.a. Cyborg. Fisher then made his full debut as Cyborg in Justice League, and in addition to Zack Snyder’s Justice League showing off his original performance as the cybernetic superhero, the actor also came back to shoot new footage for the four-hour cut. Fisher had been set to reprise Cyborg in The Flash, but he was written out after he refused to work on any project involving then-DC Films president Walter Hamada. Post-DCEU, Fisher has starred in True Detective Season 3 and the ABC limited series Women of the Movement, and he's since re-teamed with Snyder on Rebel Moon, where he's played Darrian Bloodaxe, an insurgent who's been targeting the Imperium with guerilla attacks.

Ed Skrein

The powerful Regent Balisarius is the source of conflict in Rebel Moon’s story, and Ed Skrein will appear as his right-hand man, Admiral Atticus Noble, a nefarious Imperium enforcer and commandant of the space cruiser called The King's Gaze. Skrein is no stranger to playing villains, as evidenced by his work in Deadpool and Alita: Battle Angel. You may also recognize him from If Beale Street Could Talk, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Midway and Naked Singularity, as well as being the first Daario Naharis on Game of Thrones. As revealed in Rebel Moon's surprise ending, Skrein will be back for Rebel Moon Part 2 despite initial appearances to the contrary.

Djimon Hounsou

Although Rebel Moon marks the first time that Djimon Hounsou and Zack Snyder have worked together, like Ray Fisher, Hounsou has some DCEU experience under his belt from playing The Wizard in Shazam!, Black Adam and the upcoming Shazam! Fury of the Gods, as well as voicing King Ricou in Aquaman. Hounsou also lent his talents to the MCU as Korath in Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel, and his other notable credits include Amistad, Gladiator, Blood Diamond, Constantine, Furious 7, A Quiet Place Part II and The King’s Man. In Rebel Moon, Hounsou plays General Titus; we got an intense portrait of the actor in character in May 2022, and it was later revealed that Titus is a "hardened gladiator" who once served the Imperium.

Anthony Hopkins

While we don't see Anthony Hopkins in Rebel Moon, we will hear him as the voice of Jimmy, “an impossibly sentient JC1435 mechanized battle robot and one-time defender of the slain King.” (Dustin Ceithamer physically portrays Jimmy.) Kora met Jimmy during her time on Veldt, where the robot surprisingly came to her aid during a tense conflict, then disappeared to parts unknown. Rebel Moon's extended cut will flesh out the character's backstory. Along with this movie, Hopkins’ recent credits include Thor: Ragnarok, The Father, The Son, Armageddon Time and HBO’s Westworld.

Jena Malone

Rebel Moon marks Jena Malone’s third collaboration with Zack Snyder, having previously played Rocket in Sucker Punch and Jenet Klyburn in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s “Ultimate Edition.” Malone is also well known for playing Johanna Mason in the latter three Hunger Games movies, Hope Harlingen in Inherent Vice and Sage Ross in Nocturnal Animals. Along with Rebel Moon, where she plays a spider warrior named Harmada who's terrorizing the mining village of Daggus, Malone is part of the ensemble cast for Kevin Costner’s Western saga Horizon.

Cary Elwes

Although Cary Elwes is still arguably best known for starring as Westley/DreadPirate Roberts in The Princess Bride and Dr. Lawrence Gordon in the Saw movies, the man’s popped up in a fair amount of high-profile projects over the last several years. Stranger Things fans will remember him as Mayor Larry Kline in Season 3, he had a stint on the Amazon Prime Video as Gavin Hawk in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, he starred as Professor Gelson in the Black Christmas remake and also was paired with Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning. Elwes plays the Imperium king who was assassinated, allowing Balisarius to declare himself regent.

Corey Stoll

Superhero genre fans will recognize Corey Stoll as Darren Cross, a.k.a. Yellowjacket, in Ant-Man, and in 2021, he played supporting roles in The Many Saints of Newark and West Side Story. TV viewers, on the other hand, may have seen Stoll in shows like House of Cards, The Strain, Girls and Billions. Either way, Rebel Moon is the actor’s second time working on a Netflix project, having previously recurred in the first season of the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest prequel Ratched. In Rebel Moon, he plays Sindri, a village chief on Veldt.

Cleopatra Coleman

After kicking off her acting career appearing in various Australian movies and TV shows, Cleopatra Coleman gained popularity stateside starring with Will Forte in The Last Man on Earth. Following that show’s conclusion, Coleman led the short-lived TV series White Famous with Jamie Foxx, appeared in the Netflix movie In the Shadow of the Moon and recurred in five episodes of Hulu’s Dopesick, among other projects. Rebel Moon is arguably her most blockbuster-y project yet; she plays Devra, Darrian Bloodaxe's sister who has similar powers as him and is recruited at the same time to Kora's cause.

Fra Fee

Although it was initially reported that Skrein was playing Regent Balisarius in Rebel Moon, it was later clarified that Fra Free was playing that character instead, making him the story's overarching antagonist since he's the one giving orders to Admiral Atticus Noble. In addition to boast a large number of impressive theatre credits, film fans might recognize Free for playing Courfeyrac in 2012’s Les Misérables or Hench in Amazon’s Cinderella, which came out in 2019. If you’re a Marvel Cinematic Universe fan though, you’ll certainly recognize him as Kazi from Disney+’s Hawkeye series. 

Stuart Martin

Although Rebel Moon is the first time Stuart Martin has been directed by Zack Snyder in a live-action, he is already affiliated with a franchise tied to the filmmaker. That’s because he appeared as Brad Cage, a.k.a. Alexis Broschini, in the previously-mentioned Army of Thieves, which was directed by its lead actor, Matthias Schweighöfer. Martin also starred in the entirety of the Jamestown series and has been playing Detective Inspector William Wellington in Miss Scarlet and The Duke. Additionally, Martin is voicing a role in Snyder’s upcoming animated series Twilight of the Gods. Martin stars in Rebel Moon as Den, a farmer/hunter on Veldt.

Michiel Huisman

Remember when I said that Ed Skrein was the first actor to play Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones: Well here’s a twist: the second Daario is appearing in Rebel Moon too! Aside from the HBO series, Michiel Huisman’s major TV credits include Treme, Nashville, Orphan Black, The Haunting of Hill House and The Flight Attendant Season 1. Moviegoers might remember him from the likes of World War Z, The Age of Adaline and Kate. Huisman has been cast in Rebel Moon as Gunnar, a farmer on Veldt who "knows little of the galaxy outside of his small, quiet corner of the galaxy," but agrees to accompany Kora on her mission.

Doona Bae

While the majority of Doona Bae's professional endeavors come from her home country of South Korea, as far as her English-speaking work goes, the actress has notably collaborated with The Wachowskis twice, on Cloud Atlas (playing multiple roles) and the Netflix series Sense8. Bae appears in Rebel Moon as Nemesis, "a cyborg sword master whose mechanical hands allow her to wield molten-metal weapons," so expect her to pose trouble for Kora and her allies.

Staz Nair

Yet another Game of Thrones veteran has been looped into Rebel Moon, with Staz Nair having recurred in Seasons 6-8 as Qhono. However, Nair is arguably better known for playing CatCo reporter William Dey in Supergirl’s final two seasons. Rebel Moon is Nair’s second time performing in a feature-length film, and he does so as Tarak, a "noble indentured servant" who shares a special bond with a flying creature known as a Bennu.

Alfonso Herrera

Although most of Alfonso Herrera’s work is in Spanish-language projects, but he has starred in a number of high-profile offerings from the United States. You may know him as Hernando Fuentes from Sense8, Father Tomas Ortega from the short-lived Exorcist TV series, Javier Jimenez in Queen of the South or Javi Elizondro from Ozark. Herrera also voiced Krypto the Superdog for the Latin American version of DC League of Super-Pets, but it’s safe to say that Rebel Moon is his biggest movie yet. He takes part in this sci-fi epic as Cassius, a warrior working for Atticus Noble.

E. Duffy

E. Duffy is a relative newcomer to the acting scene, with their prior credits being the short films Jeanne Alone, Sleepyhead, Lucky Me, Girlfriends and Acid Noir. Rebel Moon is their first time acting in a feature-length film; they playing Milius, a refugee who seeks justice for her home, which fell to Mother World, and does so by joining Darrian and Devra's resistance group.

Charlotte Maggi

Charlotte Maggi also has one of the lighter resumes of the Rebel Moon cast members, having previously appeared in the TV shows MaveriX and Summer Love. Maggi is reportedly playing a character named Sam, a farm girl on Veldt who befriends Jimmy and ends up being the catalyst for Kora to gather warriors to help her protect her community.

Sky Yang

Aside from a minor role in 2018’s Tomb Raider, most of you have likely seen Sky Yang either in the Irish TV series Holding or playing Ruben in two episodes of Paramount+’s Halo series. In Rebel Moon, he plays Aris, a Motherworld soldier who stands up to his comrades' brutality against Sam.

Rhian Rees

Next, we have Rhian Rees, who played Emma in five episodes of the short-lived series Disengaged and has also popped up in the likes of Halloween (the 2018 version), The Send-Off, Nope and the upcoming Damian Chazelle movie Babylon. She briefly appears in Rebel Moon as The Queen, i.e. the late wife to Cary Elwes' King.

Ray Porter

Though Ray Porter has been professionally acting for over 30 years, he gained a lot of fans from Zack Snyder’s camp when he was cast to play Darkseid in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a role he obviously would have reprised had those Justice League sequels moved forward. For Rebel Moon, he played Hickman, a cruel farmer whom Tarak owed a debt. Porter’s other superhero media experience includes playing Brutus on the short-lived TV series Naomi and voicing additional characters on Teen Titans, and he’s also appeared on shows like Medium, Monk, Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Shameless and Modern Family.

Ingvar Sigurdsson

While the majority of Ingvar Sigurdsson’s credits hail from his native Iceland, the actor has accumulated some appearance in Hollywood productions, including K-19: The Widowmaker, Everest, Justice League (both versions), Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and The Northman. In Rebel Moon, Sigurdsson plays Hagen, a friend of Kora’s, and it's looking like he'll be back for Part 2.

The first half of Rebel Moon, titled A Child of Fire, hit Netflix on December 22, and the second half, titled The Scargiver, will follow on April 19, 2024. Keep your eyes on CinemaBlend for more news about the follow-up movie and other additions to the franchise.

Although Zack Snyder was Justice League’s original director, Joss Whedon was brought in to helm the reshoots following Snyder’s departure, resulting in the DC movie being drastically altered and being met with underwhelming reception upon hitting theaters. That paved the way for the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement, and back in March, Zack Snyder’s Justice League finally premiered on HBO Max. But it doesn’t have to be the last Snyder Cut-style movie we see, as one of the stars of Sucker Punch is calling for that movie to receive the same kind of treatment.

For context, Zack Snyder recently confirmed that there is a director’s cut of Sucker Punch “that has yet to be released,” and that bit of information subsequently made the news rounds. Jena Malone, who played Rocket in Sucker Punch, saw said news and advocated for this more Snyder-approved version of the 2011 movie, saying the following on her Instagram Stories:

Now if you’re at all familiar with Sucker Punch, you probably already know that in addition to the theatrical cut, there was an extended, R-rated version included on the Blu-ray release, which added 18 minutes to the movie. However, Zack Snyder has previously said that this extended version doesn’t reflect his true Sucker Punch vision, though he expressed doubt at the time that his desired Sucker Punch would ever see the light of day due to rights issues. Still, Zack Snyder’s Justice League was once considered a pipe dream, so since it eventually made its way to the masses, maybe Sucker Punch: The Snyder Cut could also one day become an HBO Max exclusive.

Jena Malone (who Zack Snyder also directed in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) isn’t the only Sucker Punch actress who’s interested in the movie getting the Snyder Cut polish, as Abbie Cornish, who starred as Sweet Pea, shared Malone’s Instagram post. For those unfamiliar with Sucker Punch, it followed a young woman nicknamed Babydoll who’s sent to a mental institution and copes with the experience by imagining she’s in a brothel. As she teams up with four other women to escape the facility, she enters a new, more fantastical realm of imagination. Sucker Punch’s cast also included Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac and Jon Hamm.

While Sucker Punch was met with primarily negative reception and only made a little under $90 million worldwide off an $82 million budget, it’s nonetheless developed a cult following, so there would surely be a sizable amount of people interested in seeing it filtered through a Snyder Cut lens. However, because Zack Snyder’s Justice League starred characters from DC Comics, all of whom have been popular to one degree or another for decades, that undoubtedly played a huge role in the folks at WarnerMedia deciding to greenlight it. Sucker Punch, on the other hand, is an original story with no ties to existing IP, and it doesn’t help that it fared worse at the box office than Justice League’s theatrical cut.

Taking into account that Zack Snyder also doesn’t sound like he’s on the best of terms with Warner Bros even after the release of his Justice League cut, and the chances of his final vision for Sucker Punch ever coming out seem incredibly slim. However, should that change, we’ll be sure to let you know. For now, you can watch Zack Snyder’s latest movie, Army of the Dead, on Netflix.

There has been so much focus on the release of the Zack Snyder cut of Justice League that it’s easy to forget the director has another project in the works. Snyder has been working on Army of the Dead, the upcoming Netflix horror film. It was announced last month that the movie’s universe was expanding and that Netflix had greenlit a spinoff anime series starring Dave Bautista and Omari Hardwick. Now, Justice League’s Joe Manganiello and others have also joined the cast of Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas.

True Blood alum Joe Manganiello is reuniting with Zack Snyder for his Netflix project, joining a talented cast of actors that includes Mr. Robot’s Christian Slater, The Witcher’s Anya Chalotra, American Gods’ Yetide Badaki, The Blacklist’s Harry Lennix, 13 Reasons Why’s Ross Butler, Vanessa Hudgens, Jena Malone and more.

Zack Snyder will also be working again with Christina Wren, who played Major Carrie Farris in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. That is a pretty impressive voice cast if I do say so myself! In addition to directing the Army of the Dead movie, Snyder will also direct two episodes of the anime series.

Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas will be about the origin story of Dave Bautista’s Scott Ward and his crew in the immediate aftermath of the zombie outbreak in Las Vegas and will follow their journey as they try to figure out what caused it. Meanwhile, the plot of the film will follow the mercenaries as they plan a heist in the quarantine zone of Vegas.

The anime series marks the second project that is being spawned from Zack Snyder’s movie. The other is a prequel film that will be directed by Matthias Schweighöfer, who is playing Ludwig Dieter in Army of the Dead. The actor will also star in the prequel movie, which is centered on his character. The film does not yet have a title. Zack Snyder sounds pretty pumped about these projects. Here’s what he had to say about it:

Joe Manganiello played the villain Deathstroke in Justice League, appearing very briefly in a post-credits scene where he spoke to Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor about starting their own league to take on Batman, Superman, and the rest of the Justice League.

The actor’s appearance in the film was meant to be the first of many in the DCEU. There were also plans for a standalone Deathstroke film, but DC and Warner Bros. seemed to go in a different direction. While I doubt that Joe Manganiello will reprise his role as Deathstroke, it’s nice to know that he’ll at least get to work with Zack Snyder again in some capacity.

Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas does not yet have a scheduled premiere date, but stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates. Meanwhile, Army of the Dead is set to debut at some point in 2021 on Netflix. For more on what to watch, be sure to check out our 2020 fall TV premiere guide.

Over the course of four years, The Hunger Games series went from another YA adaptation hoping to win over the masses to one of the biggest movie franchises of the past decade. Based on the dystopian novels by Suzanne Collins, the movies were led by Jennifer Lawrence, an actress who went from a rising young talent to one of the biggest stars in the world over the course of the popular series. Now that the blockbuster franchise has concluded, The Hunger Games cast has moved on to different projects. Some of these stars have gained incredible fame or continued their ascension, while a few others remain busy with other, smaller projects. Let's take a look at the The Hunger Games cast members and see what they're doing now.

Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen)

In the central role of Katniss Everdeen, Jennifer Lawrence served as the central protagonist of The Hunger Games franchise. From the time the series started until its final fourth film, Lawrence went from rising Oscar-nominated young actress to arguably one of the biggest movie stars of her time (and possibly even the biggest), particularly when she won an Oscar for Best Actress with Silver Linings Playbook. 

Since Mockingjay - Part 2, Lawrence has appeared in a few others movies, including Joy, mother!, Red Sparrow, Passengers, X-Men: Apocalypse and, most recently, X-Men: Dark Phoenix. She took a year off from acting to focus on other ambitions, though she has a few new projects in the works, including an untitled new drama from director Lila Neugebauer, Mob Girl, Don't Look Up from director Adam McKay, and the biopic Bad Blood, based on the controversial figure, Elizabeth Holmes.

Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark)

In the role of Peeta Mellark, Josh Hutcherson served as one of the central characters in The Hunger Games, particularly when he became a potential love interest for Katniss Everdeen. A former child actor who has been working on the screen for the majority of his life, Hutcherson has appeared in a few other projects since The Hunger Games concluded. Notably, Hutcherson has appeared in The Disaster Artist and Tragedy Girls, and he plays the lead role in the Hulu sci-fi comedy series, Future Man. Up next, Hutcherson will star in the new movie Rita.

Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthrone)

As Gale Hawthorne, Katniss' childhood best friend and one of her main love interests, Liam Hemsworth plays a key role in The Hunger Games series. Since the franchise concluded, Hemsworth has been seen in Independence Day: Resurgence, Isn't It Romantic, and, most recently, Killerman. Up next, Hemsworth stars in the indie dark comedy, Arkansas, and he'll play one of the lead roles in the forthcoming Quibi thriller series Most Dangerous Game.

Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy)

As Haymitch Abernathy, Woody Harrelson played a mentor figure throughout The Hunger Games saga. As a versatile actor with commendable range, Harrelson has appeared in many movies since The Hunger Games wrapped, including Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, War For the Planet of the Apes, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Zombieland: Double Tap. Additionally, Harrelson made his screenwriting and directorial debut in 2017's Lost in London, an autobiographical comedy that was shot live in real-time. His next role is playing Carnage in Venom 2. He is also soon set to be seen in Kate and Triangle of Sadness, and he was cast in the limited series The Most Wanted Man in America.

Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket)

In the role of Effie Trinket, Elizabeth Banks served as an advisory character throughout The Hunger Games saga. Since finishing her commitments to the franchise, Banks has appeared in film and television alike, and she has expanded herself into roles behind-the-camera as well. In 2015, she made her feature directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2. Last year, she wrote and directed the newest Charlie's Angels reboot. Up next, Banks appears in the new Hulu mini-series, Mrs. America. She's also attached to the drama Signal Hill, and has a few directorial projects in store, including Invisible Woman.

Donald Sutherland (President Coriolanus Snow)

As the menacing President Coriolanus Snow, Donald Sutherland played a menacing part in The Hunger Games series. Outside of this villainous role, he has worked consistently in film and on television. His most recent roles include Ad Astra and The Burnt Orange Heresy. He'll next be seen in the thriller Alone, and he's got two TV roles lined up with HBO's The Undoing and Swimming with Sharks, which is based on the 1994 movie of the same name.

Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman)

As Ceaser Flickerman, Stanley Tucci served as a colorful supporting character throughout The Hunger Games saga. A refined, Oscar-nominated actor with years of experience on the stage and screen, Tucci is a dynamite actor, and he continues to excel. Most recently, he was seen in Limetown. He'll next be seen in Worth, opposite Michael Keaton, and he'll appear in The King's Man, The Witches, Jolt, Supernova, and a few more upcoming projects.

Willow Shields (Primose Everdeen)

As Primose Everdeen, the younger sister of Katniss, Willow Shields played a key role throughout The Hunger Games series. Making her feature debut in the original film, Shields continues to work primarily on the small screen, notably with roles in The Unsettling and Netflix's Spinning Out. She'll next be seen in two upcoming movies, When Time Got Louder and A Fall From Grace, both of which are expected to come out sometime within the next year.

Paula Malcomson (Mrs. Everdeen)

As the concerned mother of Katniss, Paula Malcomson played an emotional role in The Hunger Games franchise, particularly in the early installments. Also known as Paula Williams, the actress has bounced between film and television since The Hunger Games, though her television roles are notable, including Ray Donovan, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Krypton. She was last seen in Deadwood: The Movie and HBO's Watchmen last year.

Lenny Kravitz (Cinna)

As Cinna, Katniss' stylist, Lenny Kravitz's character played a major role in the rise to prominence seen by our central protagonist. Primarily a musician, Kravitz hasn't appeared in too many projects as an actor since The Hunger Games outside of brief appearances in FX's Better Things and Fox's Star. As a musician, Kravitz continues to perform, particularly when he appeared during the Super Bowl halftime show in 2015 alongside Katy Perry. More recently, Kravitz released his 11th studio album, Raise Vibrations, and toured the album in 2018. In an interview with Rolling Stone that year, Kravitz mentioned that he was already working on his follow-up to this studio album, and that it might serve as a companion piece to a future film project.

Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair)

As Finnick Odair, Sam Claflin was seen prominently throughout The Hunger Games sequels, notably Catching Fire. Since his time in the franchise, the young actor has split his time on the big and small screen, appearing The Huntsman: Winter's War, Me Before You, Adrift, Peaky Blinders, Charlie's Angels, and a particularly menacing role in The Nightingale, most recently. Up next is the comedy Love. Wedding, Repeat., the drama-mystery Enola Holmes, the thriller Every Breath You Take, and the musical mini-series Daisy Jones & The Six.

Jena Malone (Johanna Mason)

As the victor of the 71st Hunger Games and the only living member of her district, Johanna Mason, played by Jena Malone, had a memorable part in The Hunger Games saga. Since her time in The Hunger Games sequels, Malone has appeared in movies both big and small. Most recently, the actress appeared in the Amazon mini-series Too Old To Die Young. She'll next be seen in the David Bowie biopic, Stardust, as well as Lorelei and Antebellum.

Jeffrey Wright (Beetee)

In the role of Beetee, Jeffrey Wright was seen prominently throughout The Hunger Games sequels. An acclaimed actor of the stage and screen, Wright has appeared in numerous productions over the course of his career. Most notably, Wright can be seen on HBO's Westworld, which is currently airing its third season. But he's also set to appear in Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch, the new Bond blockbuster No Time to Die, and the drama All Day and a Night soon. He is also playing James Gordon in the forthcoming The Batman.

Stef Dawson (Annie Cresta)

As Annie Creta, Stef Dawson played a key role in The Hunger Games sequels as Annie. Since her time in these gigantic blockbusters, Dawson has opted to make primarily indie movies, though her latest film was the sci-fi thriller The Dustwalker, which was released last year. She'll next appear in the crime drama thriller, 10-13.

Julianne Moore (President Alma Coin)

Though she was only seen in the last two installments, Julianne Moore played a key part in the Hunger Games' final moments. Since her time in the YA blockbusters, Moore has been seen in movies big and small, and she has a few dramatic projects in the works. She'll later be seen as Gloria Steinem in The Glorias, and she is also soon set to appear in The Woman in the Window. She's also set to star in Mothertrucker, Fruitcake, and the Apple limited series, Lisey's Story, based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King.

Natalie Dormer (Cressida)

Introduced in the final two installments of The Hunger Games series, Natalie Dormer's Cressida was a distinctive figure towards the end of the saga. Outside of The Hunger Games, Dormer has been seen or heard in several prominent TV shows lately, including Game of Thrones, Picnic at Hanging Rock, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Up next, Dormer will play a major part in the upcoming spin-off series, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.

Wes Bentley (Seneca Crane)

As the Head Gamemaker in the 74th Hunger Games, Seneca Crane, played by Wes Bentley, served as a small-but-distinctive person in The Hunger Games (notably for his extravagantly strange facial hair). Since his time in the franchise starter, he has been seen in a number of prominent movies and TV shows, including Interstellar, Mission: Impossible — Fallout, and American Horror Story: Roanoke. Bentley can currently be seen on Yellowstone.

Mahershala Ali (Boggs)

Shortly before he became a multi-award winning actor, Mahershala Ali played Boggs, a key role in the final two Hunger Games movies. Since then, Ali has won two Oscars for Best Supporting Actor in 2016's Moonlight and 2018's Green Book, respectively. Most recently, Ali appeared in Alita: Battle Angel and the third season of HBO's True Detective. He's got several exciting projects lined up; one of the biggest will be playing Blade in the MCU.

Who is your favorite Hunger Games actor? Let us know in the comment section below!

Making a superhero movie means plenty of rumors will come out during the development process, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice had no shortage of those, from Bizarro showing up to seeing Jason Todd. Among the more persistent rumors during this time, though, was that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire star Jena Malone was either playing an older version of Carrie Kelley, best known as Robin in The Dark Knight Returns, or Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl. Not only did this turn out to be incorrect, but Malone's part was cut from the Batman v Superman theatrical release. Nevertheless, the actress got a kick out of the idea that people thought she would be portraying a DC superhero. She explained:

As we learned once Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice's Ultimate Edition, Malone had actually been brought on to play Jenet Klyburn, a S.T.A.R. Labs scientist who analyzed the bullet that Lois Lane brought back from Nairomi. Jenet later informed Lois that Wallace Keefe's wheelchair had lead in it, which Lois realized was meant to prevent Superman from seeing the bomb that was inside. Malone's part was small, but her character helped make Lois' story in Batman v Superman's Ultimate Edition more interesting than it had been in the theatrical cut. As for Malone, she wasn't particularly broken up to see her part cut from Batman v Superman's main release. When asked if it was weird to learn she'd been taken out of the movie, she responded:

Jena Malone previously worked with Zack Snyder on 2011's Sucker Punch, and judging by what she said during her conversation with The AV Club a while back, I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to work with her again on one of his next movies. But as far as the DC Extended Universe is concerned, unless one of the filmmakers there decides to cast her in a new role (it's happened a few times in the MCU), then her time with the franchise is done.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for all major updates concerning the DCEU, and don't forget to look at our DC movies guide to learn what projects this franchise has in development.

A little over three months after hitting theaters, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice arrived on home media yesterday, but it wasn't just the theatrical cut that was made available to fans. As announced months ago, there was also an extended, R-rated version released, dubbed the "Ultimate Edition." This is director Zack Snyder's preferred version, adding 30 extra minutes of content and more intense violence. It's no secret that the theatrical cut wasn't received well by a lot of fans and critics, but the Ultimate Edition aims to improve the story's reputation by providing a better overall narrative.

Three hours is definitely a long movie runtime, but in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice's case, the extended cut definitely fulfills the promise of providing more material that wasn't shown in theaters. While there are a lot of minor additions or alterations scattered throughout, here are the biggest changes that the Ultimate Edition featured.

It goes without saying, but there will be full spoilers for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - The Ultimate Edition from this point forward.

A Longer And More Cohesive Africa Sequence

The biggest and most appreciated change in the Ultimate Edition is that the Africa sequence makes way more sense. In the theatrical cut, Superman shows up to rescue Lois from the Nairobi rebel general, and then we cut back to America, where Superman has been blamed for slaughtering innocents near the base. Unfortunately, there were a lot of pieces that didn't connect properly, but these extra minutes fix that. It turns out that general and his forces were waging a civil war against the Nairobi government, one which the United States had taken a neutral stance on. Jimmy Olsen (who is actually named this time around) was sent to negotiate an "arrangement," but his offer is refused. U.S. command then launches a drone strike at the base (at the protest of the officer in the field), but Superman destroys it before it hits.

However, before the Man of Steel arrived, Anatoli Knyazev and his men not only killed the other terrorists and nearby innocents, but also used a flamethrower to cover their tracks and make it look like Superman killed them with his heat vision. That's why Superman was blamed and why the Senate hearings began so quickly. We also later learn that Kahina, the Nairomi woman who testified before Senator Finch, was actually threatened and paid off by Lex Luthor to speak out against Superman, but she was later "taken care of" by Anatoli.

Clark Kent Investigating In Gotham City

Before battling Batman directly, Superman opted to take on the Caped Crusader as Clark Kent, Daily Planet journalist. In the Ultimate Edition, we actually see him learning more about the vigilante from citizens rather than just from afar. Sent to Gotham City by Perry White to cover their football team's loss, Clark instead seeks out Kahina at her apartment building, but she's been gone for some time. An elderly man then tells Clark he'd be wise to leave the city before dark, otherwise he might run into "him," a.k.a. Batman. Another neighbor tells him that the only people who should be afraid of Batman are those who have a reason to fear him. This gives moviegoers a much clearer reason for why Clark sets his sights on Batman, learning from others what kind of a brutal man he is.

Jenet Klyburn

Sorry, folks, Jena Malone wasn't playing Barbara Gordon or Carrie Kelley in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. As we learned from a leak several weeks ago, she was actually Jenet Klyburn, a lab technician who analyzes the mysterious bullet that Lois brought back from Africa. She's the one who learns that it's made from a never-before-seen metal, and later in the movie, she calls Lois to tell her that Wallace Keefe's wheelchair was made from the same metal (There was another interesting tidbit she provided, which we'll get to later.) In the comics, Jenet is a S.T.A.R. Labs scientist, but she's such a minor character that you probably shouldn't get your hopes up about her having an expanded role in the DCEU, let alone appearing again.

Added Story For The Bat-Brand Victim

Remember Cesar Santos? The criminal near the beginning of the movie who Batman branded? Well, there was a lot more to his story in the Ultimate Edition. We already knew that the Bat-Brand was a death sentence if you're caught with one in prison, but that also makes it a suitable cover for pulling off a sinister assassination. Anatoli is seen paying off one of Cesar's fellow inmates, and later, that same man stabs Cesar to death during recreation time. Like in the theatrical movie, Clark is sent pictures of Cesar (by Lex Luthor), but this time, one of the photos is of his corpse. Clark then goes to Gotham City to learn about Cesar's death, and while the police aren't being cooperative, he comes across Cesar's girlfriend and son. She tells him that the police know the brand means eventual murder, but they won't do anything about it. Clark wants to help by telling her story via The Daily Planet, but she retorts that a pen won't stop Batman, only a fist. This helps clear up why Superman was willing to switch from words to force during their later battle.

Fallout From The Capitol Bombing

After the bomb in Wallace Keefe's wheelchair detonated, Superman was shown standing as the only survivor from the center, devastated that he didn't see the attack coming. The Ultimate Edition then switches to the aftermath around the perimeter of the Capitol, where the wounded are being attended to and body bags are spread out. Superman helps out as best he can by flying victims to the paramedics, but at this point, there's not much he can do. Still reeling from these events and horrified by the loss of life, he flies off, leading the media to question whether his exit means that he had some kind of connection to the bombing.

Lois Lane Putting The Pieces Together

If you love seeing Lois Lane at her investigative finest, this is the scene for you. While the police are searching for clues about how Superman might have been tied to the bombing, Lois is able to get into Wallace Shawn's apartment, an active crime scene. There are plenty of bomb making materials around, but there are still a few things that aren't making sense to Lois. She then opens up Wallace's refrigerator and sees it's stocked with fresh groceries. Since a man who's about to commit suicide has no need to buy a lot of food before his death, this reveals that Wallace wasn't as much of a willing participant as the theatrical version implied. He didn't detonate the bomb himself; Lex Luthor (or one of his goons) did. Lois later gets a call from Jenet Klyburn, who tells her that Wallace's wheelchair was lined with lead, the only material that Superman's X-ray vision can't see through. That's why the Man of Steel wasn't able to prevent the bombing. He didn't even know a bomb was there, but regardless, his reputation has still been damaged.

Steppenwolf's Cameo

Unlike the other reincorporated scenes, this one isn't new. On the Monday after Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was released in theaters, Warner Bros posted the scene on YouTube. For those who need a refresher, this showed a SWAT team searching for Lex Luthor aboard the Kryptonian ship. They soon find him communicating with a monstrous alien via hologram, who dissipates when the officers arrive. We've since learned that this was Steppenwolf, who will be the main antagonist in Justice League next year. This scene clears up where Lex learned about the being he was babbling about in prison. He was communicating with Steppenwolf, presumably learning about the Mother Boxes (judging by the three holographic cubes) and Steppenwolf's plans to invade our world. Lex has also been confirmed to return for Justice League, so perhaps Steppenwolf will seek him out when he arrives to Earth. As for what Lex will be up to in the meantime...

Lex Luthor's Transfer

You probably noticed how Jesse Eisenberg's version of Lex Luthor was way more eccentric and unhinged than he usually is in the comics and other media, but this personality change bites him in the ass by the end of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - The Ultimate Edition. In this version, when Batman threatens Lex in prison, he reveals that he knows that Bruce Wayne is the Caped Crusader. However, no one will believe him if he says that because he's insane. Whether he's truly crazy or it's just an excuse from his attorneys, he's evidently been found not fit to stand trial. Unfortunately for Lex, that doesn't mean he's getting a pass on punishment. While Batman admits that there are mental hospitals that treat their patients with compassion, he tells Lex that he's arranged for him to be transferred to Arkham Asylum. As Batman fans know, this is where the majority of Batman's villains are sent after being captured. Not only is it notoriously easy to escape, but it is truly one of the most frightening locations in the DC universe, as the worst of the worst can dish out their crazy to the employees and visitors. If Lex ends up there, he is not in for a comfortable stay.

Warning: The following article makes references to the upcoming R-rated Ultimate Edition of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. So if you want to avoid SPOILERS ahead of its release, then you probably shouldn't read on. Instead, you should click over to one of our other fine articles on Zack Snyder's blockbuster to pass the time.

Jena Malone's participation in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice has been teased and speculated over ever since she was seen wandering onto the set of Zack Snyder's blockbuster back in 2014. However, we finally have the definitive proof of who she is playing in the superhero hybrid, courtesy of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice - The Ultimate Edition's credits being leaked, and it's quite a surprise.

The credits for the Ultimate Edition cut of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice reveal that Jena Malone plays Jenet Klyburn in the extend version of the film. The proof is always in the pudding though, which you can now gobble up all for yourself by viewing the credits, below. Jena Malone's name emerges around the 1 minute and 10 second mark.

UPDATE: The video showing the credits has been pulled, but it showed part of the Ultimate Edition's scrolling credits, and Jena Malone was listed next to her character's name. The rest of the original article follows below.

The big question now is whether or not Jena Malone's brief appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice is a tease to her popping up in further films in the DC Extended Universe, or whether that's all we're going to get from her?

The answer is probably yes. Jenet Klyburn is indeed a DC character, but she is only a minor one, as she featured as the lead scientist at Metropolis' S.T.A.R. Labs. However, she is an ally to Superman, and the glimpse of her that we got in the Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice - Ultimate Cut trailer showed her chatting away to Amy Adams' Lois Lane, which suggests that she should come into cahoots with the trio. There is a deviation in Dawn Of Justice's version from the Jenet Klyburn in the comics, though, as Jena Malone's incarnation in Batman v Superman not only sports blonde hair, but wears glasses, too. Is that enough to cause mayhem across the interwebs? They've gone crazier over smaller alterations.

This news confirms once and for all that Jena Malone isn't in line to portray Batgirl/Barbara Gordon, which have been speculated since July 2015. In fact, there have been reports that Jena Malone would actually star in Batman V Superman from as far back as October 2014, but they originally suggested that she'd be portraying Carrie Kelley. That's not to say either of those characters won't eventually appear in the DCEU, but with this new information, we know it won't be Malone playing them.

We'll finally get to see Jena Malone in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice -- Ultimate Edition when it arrives on Digital HD on June 28, while it will be followed on Blu-Ray on July 19.

Warning: possible spoilers for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice are ahead!

One of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s persisting mysteries is who Jena Malone is playing in the "Ultimate Edition" home media release. The top rumors since her casting was confirmed in October 2014 pointed to her either being Carrie Kelley from The Dark Knight Returns or Barbara Gordon. Then last week, director Zack Snyder stated she’s neither Robin nor Batgirl, seemingly striking those two off the list. However, now there’s new information suggesting the latter is still a possibility, even if she won’t be wearing the cape and cowl.

With only two weeks to go until Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s wide release, a Redditor claims to have seen the movie and posted a survey that Warner Bros. handed them afterwards. The survey lists some of the main players and asks the participant how much they’d like to see them in future ads for the March blockbuster. On it, Jena Malone is listed as Barbara Gordon. Now, assuming this survey is real (it could be something Photoshopped together), that means Snyder was being tricky when he mentioned Batgirl last time. After all, only the most hardcore fans know who Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown are. So if Malone is indeed playing Barbara in the DC Extended Universe, why was she cut out of the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice theatrical release? Taking into account that the "Ultimate Edition" is rated R, the movie might be giving us an adaptation of Barbara’s crippling from Batman: The Killing Joke.

For those not familiar with Barbara Gordon’s comic book history, Alan Moore’s 1988 story Batman: The Killing Joke had Barbara being shot by The Joker, crippling her from the waist down. This cut short her career as Batgirl, but she continued to be active as Oracle. For over two decades, Barbara used her computer skills to provide information to the DC superheroes and worked on teams like the Suicide Squad and the Birds of Prey. When the New 52 began in 2011, Barbara physically recovered and went back to being Batgirl, though she was still mentally dealing with the traumatic ordeal. The Killing Joke is being made into an animated movie later this year, and it’s easily possible that the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice "Ultimate Edition" features a flashback of Barbara being attacked by The Joker.

Remember, Ben Affleck’s Batman has been fighting crime in Gotham City for 20 years, giving him plenty of time to have several sidekicks. Jena Malone is 31, which means if Barbara’s around the same age, Barbara could have gotten involved in the Bat-lifestyle around 10 years before. Sometime before Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Joker shoots Barbara, and now she’s either not in contact with Bruce anymore or she’s active as Oracle instead. Such a scene might be too much for the younger moviegoers, which is why they’re saving it for the R-rated cut alongside the other intense, non-PG-13 appropriate action sequences.

We already know that Jared Leto’s Joker killed one of the Robins, so the audience wouldn’t bat an eye knowing he paralyzed a different member of the Bat-family. Plus, this also sets up Barbara for an appearance in the Batman solo movie, only as Oracle instead of Batgirl. Someone like Nightwing or the Tim Drake/Damien Wayne Robin could assist in the field, but Barbara could provide intel from her computer lair. It further shows how much history Batman has in the DCEU before he crosses paths with Superman and Wonder Woman. While battling Gotham City’s colorful criminals, he’s had assistance from the other people besides Alfred, and Jena Malone as Barbara could be one of those allies, whether she’s walking or confined to a wheelchair.

Since Jena Malone won’t show up when Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters on March 25, fans will just have to wait to see her until the "Ultimate Edition" is released later this year. In the meantime, if you have your own thoughts on Malone possibly being Barbara Gordon as Oracle, make sure to let us know in the comments below.

Back in October 2014, it was confirmed that The Hunger Games series star Jena Malone had been added to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but it was never revealed who she was playing. Two choices amidst the speculation have gotten the most attention. Early rumors indicated she was playing Carrie Kelley, the Robin featured in The Dark Knight Returns, while other reports said she was playing Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl/Oracle. With only a couple weeks until the movie’s release, director Zack Snyder is still staying mum about her, but it looks like he's officially struck those heroines off the list.

Despite being cut out of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s theatrical release, Malone’s scenes will be added back to the movie’s "Ultimate Edition" home release. That’s why Snyder wouldn’t elaborate on who her character is to EW aside from eliminating two candidates. He said:

There were two factors that made it seem possible that Malone was playing either Carrie or Barbara. One, the actress was rocking dyed-red hair for the movie, the trademark shade of both characters. Second, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is giving moviegoers a Batman who’s been crimefighting in Gotham City for over 20 years, so he’s had plenty of time to work with several sidekicks. There’s still a chance that either of these characters could appear in the DCEU (like that Batman solo movie), but it won’t be Malone playing them. Since her scenes were cut from the final cut, that means her character apparently wasn’t crucial to the main story, but don’t count Malone out of not appearing in a future movie altogether, especially if she is someone from the comics.

Malone isn’t the only mystery character who’s been speculated about in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Halt and Catch Fire’s Scoot McNairy is playing someone being kept on the down low, and while rumors stated he was playing an older Jimmy Olsen, the latest report says he’s someone who was crippled during Superman and Zod’s fight in Man of Steel and is enlisted by Lex Luthor. Unlike Jena Malone, McNairy still appears to be in the final cut, so we’ll find out who he is in theaters. The movie also has plenty of other participants involved, including three Justice League cameos, so moviegoers will have enough people to keep track of during the story.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice arrives in theaters On March 25, but you can check out Malone’s scenes when the R-rated "Ultimate Edition" arrives on Blu-ray later this year, featuring not only more intense action scenes, but several other cut characters being reincorporated with Malone’s mystery player.

After what feels like forever, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice finally hits theaters in just a few weeks. In addition to the two superheroes of the title, we’ll see a ton of other characters. Wonder Woman plays a big part, Aquaman and Cyborg will show up, and we just learned how we’ll meet the movie version of the Flash. Still, for all that we know, there’s a lot we don’t. One of the biggest mysteries was who Jena Malone plays. There have been a number of whispers and rumors, but as it turns out, all of those are totally erroneous, as her character has reportedly been cut out of the film entirely.

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly has an in depth cover story about Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice that features all kinds of goodies and information about the superhero throwdown. In the midst of all of the news and reveals, there’s a single sentence that talks about Jena Malone’s secret character, though all it really says about her is that she has been cut from the theatrical release.

Because it specifically says she has been excised from the theatrical version of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, some presume that this means she will show up in the extended, reportedly R-rated cut of the film that will be released on Blu-ray and home video.

If she has a small role, which it seems like she did, it makes sense they would cut Jena Malone out of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The run time is reportedly 151 minutes, and from what we know, it’s already a jam-packed movie. If she’s not integral to the plot, it’s not a shock she was removed.

Over the months, there have been numerous reports about who Jena Malone plays in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Early speculation was that she would play Carrie Kelly, the version of the Caped Crusader’s sidekick Robin from The Dark Knight Returns comics. These rumblings were later supplanted by the idea that she plays Barbara Gordon, daughter of Commissioner Gordon, who has had a couple of roles in the comics through the years.

The latest we’ve heard was that Jena Malone plays Batgirl. Other rumors supposed she plays Oracle, but considering Barbara Gordon was Batgirl, but after she was paralyzed by the Joker in The Killing Joke, she went on to become Oracle, a computer expert who provides information to the superhero community, there is a possibility that could still happen. At least if she appears in subsequent movies. Who knows if that will happen.

At this juncture, however, it’s a moot point. Even when we sit down to watch Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in theaters on March 25, we won’t learn anything more about the true nature of Jena Malone’s character. We’ll just have to wait for the R-rated extended cut and hope she shows up there.

Last year we learned that Jena Malone of The Hunger Games franchise had a role in the new superhero movie, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While we knew she would be in the movie, we had no information as to exactly what role she would be playing. Now, a new magazine doing profiles on the entire cast looks to have spilled the beans, assuming it’s accurate. She’ll be playing a sidekick to Batman, but not the one we thought.

According to an unnamed french magazine referenced by ComicBookMovie.com, Jena Malone will be playing the role of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl. The exact source of the scan is not mentioned so it’s far from clear that this is entirely legit. However, if accurate, the names Barbara Gordon and Batgirl are as clear as day, meaning that it’s very possible that we’ll see both characters. One would assume that if we were only meeting Barbara Gordon in the film, that’s all the credit would say. Interestingly, Ezra Miller's profile is listed on the same page, and it specifies that his role as Barry Allen/Flash will be a cameo. Malone’s profile does not have the cameo notation.

This would seem to confirm the most recent reports that we’ve heard regarding Malone’s part. Earlier, rumors pointed to Jena Malone playing a female Robin. Carrie Kelley is the name of the girl in the Robin mask in Frank Miller’s graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns, which is a place where Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is taking a lot of inspiration. However, several months ago, the rumors shifted toward Batgirl. It’s possible this magazine is simply basing its profile on the rumor, but that seems like quite a leap. There’s no reason they couldn’t simply list Malone as an unknown part, so unless the image is a complete fake, we’ll assume they are working off of information from somewhere.

The other thing this news appears to confirm is that since Jena Malone is listed as playing Batgirl, she won’t be playing Oracle. Early reports were not clear on exactly which version of Barbara Gordon we might see in the movie. Now we appear to have an answer.

If true, we’re not only adding another major character to the mix but another hero as well. Along with our two titular heroes, and a major part for Wonder Woman, we also know that most, if not all, of the Justice League members who have been cast already will either have a cameo in the film, or at least be mentioned in dialogue. The DC universe just became that much larger. With all these additional characters, it looks like they may have trouble finding enough screen time for the characters with their names in the title.

Body doubles are a fairly common thing in Hollywood. They are often needed when stunts are being performed, or when a nude scene is needed by an actress who isn’t interested in doing it. There are apparently more specialized body double situations, as well. What does the casting notice look like for a "stunt head?"

Jena Malone’s role in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 required her character Johanna Mason to have a bald head. Yet, when she appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week, she was sporting a full head of hair. As it turns out, the baldness was achieved through various special effect means, as well as the use of a bald-headed woman as a body double.

The stunt head wasn’t the only means of making Malone appear bald. She was also fitted with a bald cap that included tracking markers. This allowed her head to be digitally altered to appear shaven, even though all her hair was stuffed under the cap. This is likely the reason that she had to shave part of her head, in order to make the cap fit properly.

So now you can add stunt head to the list of random movie jobs alongside things like butt double. Do you get paid scale for being a stunt head? We, like Jena Malone, hope her stunt head was either already shaved bald, or at the very least was looking to make a significant style change already.

For her part, Malone appeared to have been willing to shave her head, as it was something she’s done before, but the filmmakers decided it against it. It sounds like the filming schedule would not allow it. It gets difficult if you shave your head for one scene, then have the need for hair in the next one. You have to wait for a very long time before you can film the next scene. Check out the interview segment below.

A character in the Hunger Games without hair sounds like the most terrible thing ever. The hairstyles in that series are one of the highlights. Although nobody can beat Elizabeth Banks in that department.

We still have eight months until Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice arrives in theaters, but that’s not going to stop the rumor mill from spinning. The latest scuttlebutt to make the rounds involves the possible identity of Jena Malone’s character in the movie.

Be warned, there are potential spoilers beyond this point. If you’re averse to such things, leave now. You’ve been warned.

According to Latino Review’s industry sources, the Hunger Games and Donnie Darko star will appear in Dawn of Justice as Barbara Gordon, daughter of Commissioner James Gordon, and the civilian alter ego of both Batgirl and Oracle in the comics.

This latest bit of news runs contrary to earlier reports that Malone is playing a version of Robin based on the Carrie Kelley character from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. Most fans dismissed this after the latest Dawn of Justice trailer shows the shrine to Robin, who is presumably dead (why else would you build a shrine?) by the Joker’s diabolical hand. It is still possible a Malone Robin could appear in flashbacks, Batman certainly seems to be tormented by his past and his inability to save everyone he cares about.

However, if this latest report pans out, it looks like Zack Snyder and company are going in a different direction. And now the speculation can begin about whether Malone plays Batgirl or Oracle in the movie.

Batgirl first appeared in 1967 as Commissioner Gordon’s daughter, a mild-mannered librarian by day, a caped, crime-fighting vigilante by night. She has a long history across a number of titles, and Barbara was notably paralyzed when the Joker shot her through the spine in Alan Moore’s classic The Killing Joke. Oracle, on the other hand, is a hacker and source of information, lending aid to various superheroes.

Either one sounds equally likely. Batgirl has a long connection to Batman, and her presence could give the Caped Crusader an emotional component in the film. For her part, Oracle made her debut on the pages of Suicide Squad, which may provide a link to the expanding DC Extended Universe that could span multiple movies. Whatever role Jena Malone plays, it must be fairly substantial or provide something major the plot. Warner Bros. reacted swiftly and viciously when an extra revealed that she was involved, which indicates that it was something they were keeping a closely guarded secret.

In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, after witnessing the destruction at the end of Man of Steel, Gotham’s Dark Knight sees the danger in a being as powerful as Superman being left unchecked and takes it upon himself put a hurting on the Last Son of Krypton. While those two tussle, a new threat arises, putting the whole of humanity in grave danger.

Starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot, Diane Lane, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Scoot McNairy, and more, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens on March 25, 2016.

Depending on who you ask, it looks like Xena: Warrior Princess might be fighting its way back into the back half of the forefront of popular culture, as NBC has possibly given the show a second chance with a modern reboot set for 2016. It’s unclear who would be involved in the casting, as no one has even been hired to write it yet, though Rob Talpert and Sam Raimi are said to be behind the scenes. They’re supposedly going in a new direction here with the central character, so it’s time for dream casting.

Here are 7 actresses whose addition to a new version of Xena: Warrior Princess would make instant sense. There’s always the chance that NBC would try to go with brand new face to lead a reboot, but we’re really hoping a familiar face makes her way to Greece next year.

Katee Sackhoff

NBC is reportedly looking for someone with both charm and smarts, and though it’s through mostly intimidating charm, former Battlestar Galactica lead Katee Sackhoff has proven herself to be a captivating presence in several projects , including 24, Riddick and that Power Rangers short. Sackhoff could go full-warrior as Xena. Should Longmire not get another season at Netflix (which is unlikely, because Netflix), this would make for an instant and sensible transition. And would she be blonde or would she go dark? It’s an important question!

Katrina Law

If you’re going to be loving and fighting alongside Spartacus in the TV series, you can’t afford to look weak, which is what made Katrina Law’s slave-turned-battling archer Mira such an interesting take on a female character’s badassery, as it grew with time rather than her just being perfect from the beginning. Considering how stuck on origin stories entertainment is, if a new version would go that way, Law would have instant cred for spinning a realistic arc out of it. And it always helps to be good with a weapon.

Ronda Rousey

UFC champion and all-around beast Ronda Rousey isn’t necessarily an actress – she’s had parts in action romps Furious 7 and The Expendables 3 – but this could be a gamechanging role, giving her resume a meaty back-up for when the fighting/destroying people slows down. While there was nothing wrong with the original series’ fight sequences, I’m guessing the action will be pushed in a more realistic and choreographed direction. Rousey knows the ins and outs of fighting, making the hand-to-hand combat aspect sound promising. Giving her a sword and the chakram only gives her more advantages.

Jena Malone

Former indie starlet Jena Malone is coming into her own on the mainstream side recently, most notably as Johanna Mason in the Hunger Games franchise and her upcoming part in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Malone has played many different kinds of characters over the years – did anybody else see Corn? – with her TV work mostly limited to the period miniseries Hatfields & McCoys. While she’d probably need to work on building herself up to warrior status, Malone can instantly give the character an interesting depth and complexity that others may not.

Danai Gurira

So this might be the most obvious bit of typecasting on this list, as Danai Gurira’s main claim to fame is portraying the katana-wielding survivor Michonne on The Walking Dead. That’s basically all I need, though, because Gurira remains a fun and enjoyably vicious force despite not getting a lot of dialogue or character-based drama. She has morals, and she can destroy heads with swords. If Gurira is proficient with fisticuffs as well, she’s an easy fit for Xena, regardless of which way the story goes.

Ivana Mili?evi?

Ivana Mili?evi? has been busy in both TV and film for decades and is recognizable from many roles, but she finally got a chance to truly shine over the past few years on Cinemax’s action-drama Banshee. The daughter of a crime lord, Anastasia/Carrie deals with complicated situations almost constantly, and she has proven time and again that she knows how to fight. Add this action-oriented expertise to the variety of varied personalities in the roles she played in other projects, and I could see Mili?evi? delivering a war cry and putting the death grip on an enemy.

Lucy Lawless

Who are we kidding? If there is anyone in the world that could enter the new adventures of Xena: Warrior Princess in the most convincing fashion, it’s going to be the actress that turned the character into a worldwide phenomenon in the first place. Even if it isn’t a continuation of the first run’s arcs, which would require some exposition, just bringing Lawless back as a new version of the character would be great, especially if it’s essentially the same character. But if she’s around in some other form next to any of the other women on this list, I’d be fine with that, too.

Please make this a reality, world that exists.

We don’t usually associate homelessness with an actor or actress who currently can claim roles in the massive The Hunger Games series, the new Paul Thomas Anderson, and a bit part in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. But Jena Malone explains that being a "roadie" of sorts during her childhood helped make her the actress that she is today, and she’s all the better for it.

Jena Malone was recounting her career, and the moments that led up to this recent string of hits, with The Daily Beast, and she explained that she recalls living in 27 different places before even turning 9 years old. "We were just so poor," Malone recalls about the early years living with her birth mom and her mother’s girlfriend. "We’d hop out of apartments, lose jobs, find a cheaper place, get kicked out, live in cars, and live in hotels. It was glorious."

Glorious? Many of us would view that unstable gypsy lifestyle as an obstacle to overcome. But Malone’s healthy attitude explains why she has been able to triumph, both at acting, and at life. She says:

Jena Malone got off to a relatively fast start in Hollywood, earning a few TV spots on shows like Chicago Hope and Touched By An Angel before earning recognition in Jake Gyllenhaal’s Donnie Darko. Her breakout role in Saved! helped define her career path, but she continued to challenger herself (and her image) in movies like Pride & Prejudice and Sucker Punch.

This gypsy lifestyle she describes likely prepared her to better play a reformed drug addict in Paul Thomas Anderson’s brilliant Inherent Vice. But Jena Malone’s also living higher on the hog then even she might have expected because of her role as Johanna Mason in the hugely successful The Hunger Games movies.

And we don’t know what the future holds for the 30-year-old actress, but I imagine she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Like most superhero films, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice has dealt with its fair share of rumors and plot leaks, but yesterday things got taken up a notch. An anonymous extra spoke with Michigan’s WILX (risking a $5 million lawsuit) and revealed several spoilers, one of which was that there will be a female Robin in the film. Combined with the rumors that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire actress Jena Malone is involved with the production, is it possible that these two items are connected? It’s a cop-out answer, but yes and no.

The Hollywood Reporter is confirming that Malone is in Batman V Superman, but it’s unknown whether she’s playing a female Robin or a different character. Malone has been seen on set for months now, but these visits were originally attributed to visiting Sucker Punch director Zack Snyder. Then two weeks ago, Malone posted a photo on Instagram of her hair newly dyed red, a color similar to Carrie Kelley’s, the female Robin from The Dark Knight Returns. Since it’s been repeatedly mentioned that this film is taking cues from Returns, it wouldn’t be unusual if Ben Affleck’s grizzled Batman is being assisted by Kelley. One problem with this role is that Kelley is 13 while Malone is almost 30, but this could be rectified by aging Kelley to her early-mid 20s and explaining that she’s been working with Batman for years.

Of course, red hair doesn’t automatically mean Malone will be putting on the red and green tights. Another notable redhead in the Batman mythology is Barbara Gordon, better known as Batgirl. It’s possible that during the film, Batman doesn’t have a Robin, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not getting help from a similarly dressed Bat-vigilante. The 1997 animated series The New Batman Adventures took a similar approach with Batgirl as the Caped Crusader’s main sidekick when Dick Grayson left Gotham City. Then again, until Warner Bros. releases a character description or someone snaps a photo of her in a peculiar costume, fans will just keep playing the guessing game with her character’s identity.

On the Robin front, if Malone is playing Kelley, there needs to be acknowledgement that other Robins preceded her. First there was Dick Grayson, who eventually becomes Nightwing, and then Jason Todd, who was killed in the line of duty. Carrie is just another in the long line of sidekicks. Then when the Batman solo film is released, we can learn more about what caused Dick to leave and who killed Jason, the prime suspect with the latter being a certain Clown Prince of Crime. Being Robin is a lot more dangerous than one would think, which begs the question why Batman continues to recruit underage kids to help him fight the superstitious and cowardly lot of Gotham City.

It’s no secret that Ben Affleck’s Batman (or ‘Batfleck’ as he’s affectionately referred to on the Internet) in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is partly being inspired by 1986’s The Dark Knight Returns, the dystopic comic book miniseries that revitalized the Caped Crusader. The movie not only features an aged Batman, but as San Diego Comic-Con goers witnessed at the Warner Bros. panel this summer, he’ll also wear armor that looks like it was ripped straight out of the book. However, the movie’s similarity to the critically lauded tale may extend past age and appearance.

Several months ago, actress Jena Malone was seen on the Dawn of Justice set, sparking speculation that she was involved with the production. The most common thought was that she is playing Carrie Kelley, the Robin from The Dark Knight Returns. She later said that she was just visiting, which makes sense considering that she worked with director Zack Snyder on 2011’s Sucker Punch. However, speculation's running as she recently posted a picture of herself with her hair dyed red, a color similar to Kelley’s.

Keep in mind that this could all just be a coincidence. Jena Malone could be dying her hair for another role, or perhaps she just felt like being a redhead. However, the idea of her playing Kelley isn’t entirely weird.

While Dawn of Justice Bruce Wayne won’t be quite as old as his Dark Knight Returns incarnation, he’s still been Gotham City’s protector for quite awhile by the time Superman shows up. With more than a decade of crime-fighting under his belt, he’s bound to have gone through a few sidekicks, like he’s done in the comics. Dick Grayson was the first Robin, who later became Nightwing. He was succeeded by Jason Todd, who was killed by the Joker, but later revived and is now The Red Hood. Tim Drake was third (now the Red Robin), followed by Stephanie Brown (though not in the New 52 continuity) and finally Bruce’s son Damian. In the Dark Knight Returns continuity, only Grayson and Todd (who’s still dead) have been Robin, and Batman accepts her as the new Robin after he saves her life, although he repeatedly threatens to fire her.

One issue is that Kelley is a 13-year old, while Jena Malone is turning 30 next month, but this can be rectified by putting Kelley in her early-20s in the film. Malone finished filming The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 several months ago, so her schedule is free for the moment. However, if she is in Dawn of Justice, it’s likely only a small part. Possibly during a Gotham City sequence where Batman and Robin are chasing down a bad guy. She’ll help him out then, but once Wayne starts dealing with Superman and Wonder Woman, she’ll be pushed to the sidelines, although if they decide to give this Batman a solo series, it’s a good bet she would reappear.

With Dick Grayson as Nightwing set to be the main character of DC’s proposed live-action TNT series Titans, it’s possible that the film may want to distance itself from the TV world, hence choosing the Robin that played a big role in The Dark Knight Returns. It would certainly be an interesting move, although they may want to upgrade her weaponry. That slingshot may work for a 13 year old, but this version of Carrie Kelley will need something that packs a bigger punch.

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that part of the fun of reading Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy wasn’t imagining the far-out fashions described. Sure, most of Panem was made up of impoverished people on the verge of starvation, like Katniss Everdeen and her neighbors in the mining section known as District 12, but when it came to trumping up tributes for the Capitol’s cruel annual killing competition, The Hunger Games, the styles described were thrilling to consider (not quite as thrilling as the scenes with Katniss in the arena, of course, but I digress).

Fittingly, in the marketing campaign for The Hunger Games’ sequel Catching Fire, Lionsgate is once again teasing this aspect of the film series with their viral website Capitol Couture. Reading like a fashion blog for the elite of the Capitol, the promo site has just revealed a profile of one of book two’s most popular characters, Johanna Mason (played by actress Jena Malone). Accompanying this article that is sure to play well to those who’ve read the book and those whose entry point was the first film is the striking image of Mason you see above in what we assume is her entry outfit for the 75th Hunger Games.

For those unfamiliar with the books, here’s how Capitol Couture introduces Ms. Mason:

In The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Katniss is eager to return home with her fellow victor Peeta, where she expects her biggest trouble will be dealing with the budding romance the two sparked during their quest for survival. Little does she know what the cruel President Snow had planned for her. Having inspired revolt with her win, Katniss has become a beacon of hope the Capitol is eager to smother. They create a special twist for the 75th Hunger Games, putting Katniss and Peeta in peril once more. Instead of luring in new fresh-faced tributes, this Hunger Games - known as the Quarter Quell - will bring together 24 of the games past victors. Meaning Katniss’s chances of survival are even less certain than last time.

In the book, Mason was adored by fans for her brashness and sass. There her entrance is made memorable by her quickly stripping out of in public the costume she despises - making Katniss incredibly uncomfortable. But could these two possibly become allies? Unlike those Mason took down with an axe during her first Hunger Games, Katniss knows not to mistake this tribute’s small stature for weakness. But as to how the rest will play out, we’ll have to wait for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire to hit theaters on November 22nd.

I’d love to be in a room full of Paul Thomas Anderson and Thomas Pynchon fanatics and see if I can possibly count all of the conversations that fly over my head while I smile and nod.

Anderson’s adaptation of Pynchon’s shaggy dog mystery novel inherent Vice begins production this month, and reporting the casting news isn’t above my head at least. The Warner Bros. production has added three more big names to the cast, as Deadline reports Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon is now on board, and The Wrap adds that both Martin Short and Jena Malone have signed up.

Set in 1970, Inherent Vice will follow Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix), a pot-smoking detective who investigates a case involving a kidnapped woman and finds himself involved in something much larger. Benicio Del Toro is playing Sportello’s lawyer and friend in need. Neither Witherspoon nor Short’s roles were described, but Malone will play a former drug addict in need of Sportello’s help. Owen Wilson will also be in the film in an as-yet-undisclosed role.

Witherspoon has a full slate of films coming, with Atom Egoyan’s West Memphis Three drama Devil’s Knot, Philippe Farlardeau’s Sudanese refugee drama The Good Lie, and Paul Feig’s Wish Listin varying stages of development. She’s currently starring in Jeff Nichols’ Mud.

Malone gained acclaim for her work in the Hatfields & McCoys miniseries, and will be seen by almost everyone in her role as Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire this fall. Otherwise, she’s currently filming the adaptation of the Arthur Phillips intriguing ghost thriller Angelica, and has Michael C. Martin’s crime drama 10 Cent Pistol coming at some point this year.

Short has stuck to mostly voicework over the last few years with roles in Frankenweenie and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, as well as being The Cat in the Hat in The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! series.

There are multiple recurring characters from The Hunger Games that will be featured in the sequel, Catching Fire, from Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss Everdeen to Stanley Tucci's Caesar Flickerman, but what's nice about the follow-up is that it will also feature plenty of new characters. Philip Seymour Hoffman will be playing Plutarch Heavensbee, Sam Claflin has been cast as Finnick Odair, Jeffrey Wright portrays Beetee, and Jena Malone will be Johanna Mason in the film and fans of the franchise can be excited about seeing the literary character realized for the big screen.

Earlier today Wright was revealed in costume as part of the ongoing series of character portraits promoting the film, but now it's Malone's turn in the spotlight. The latest portrait has been revealed over at Moviefone and you can see it below:

Directed by Francis Lawrence, who takes over the chair from Gary Ross, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire finds Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) thrown back into the Hunger Games arena due to the Quarter Quell, an event held every twenty-five years, and facing off against other former champions of the game. Meanwhile, tensions rise in Katniss' relationship with Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and murmur of an uprising begins to spread throughout Panem. The movie will be in theaters on November 22 - just in time for Thanksgiving - and keep checking back here for more of the character portraits.

For all things Hunger Games, also be sure to head over to our Blend Film Database.

A few weeks ago at Comic Con I was chatting with some Lionsgate PR people, and they asked me what I thought of Philip Seymour Hoffman's casting as Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. I told them I thought it was a perfect move, and also said I was down with the idea of Jena Malone as Johanna Mason-- at which point they both went silent and said "Well, we don't know anything about that." I swear I wasn't trying to trick them into confirming this rumor-- I had completely forgotten that the news wasn't confirmed, since it seemed all but certain that Malone had gotten the part, and weeks had gone by without any news confirming or denying it.

Now, at long last, those Lionsgate folks can speak freely. The studio announced today that Malone has indeed been cast as Johanna Mason, the fiery and confrontational former Hunger Games winner from District 7 who clashes with our heroine Katniss. There's a surprise that comes halfway through Catching Fire that further explains what Johanna and Katniss get up to in the movie, but if you haven't read the books, it's something you're better left discovering on your own. Suffice it to say that Johanna is a great part for any actress, and after making her way through a bit part in AMC's Hatfields & McCoys, a role in the disastrous Sucker Punch and various other small role, Malone is about to take the spotlight in a way we haven't seen in a while.

With all the hubbub that arose over every aspect of The Hunger Games casting, the rapid-fire speculation and ongoing reports of who is going to snag what role in the sequel Catching Fire are to be expected. And in the latest round of Hollywood's reaping-related updates, THR declares early reports that newcomer Zoe Aggeliki was the film's frontrunner for the fan favorite role Johanna Mason, are dead wrong. Instead—insists the trade—it's Sucker Punch star Jena Malone who is currently in early negotiations to play the fiery tribute from District 7.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be an adaptation of Suzanne Collins second novel about Katniss Everdeen and the peasants of Panem's continued struggle against the cruel and calculating Capitol. Having infuriated the dastardly President Snow with her remarkable victory, Katniss in thrown back into the Hunger Games to fight for her life a second time. Johanna Mason is one of her competitors, and though a relatively minor figure in the books, she is rabidly beloved by fans because of her sassy nature and smirking humor.

Memorably, Johanna strips totally naked—save some green slippers—in front of a freaked-out Katniss in an elevator, just to get a reaction. While this particular scene may not make it into director Francis Lawrence's interpretation of the YA novel, it still gives a good insight to the kind of wild card energy fans will expect from whichever actress wins the role. To that end, Malone—who has been spunky and sharp in Saved! and Pride & Prejudice—seems a solid choice for the part. Of course, with this being only the beginning of talks, it's too soon to say she's a lock.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is expected to go into production late September.

They say art is timeless. That may not always be true, but we can probably say this much: all art eventually becomes timely again. Case in point, Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House, which is being adapted and set amongst the modern economic crisis by writer/director Charles Huddleston. He's already lining up a hell of a cast, as well: Variety reports that Ben Kingsley, Julian Sands, and Jena Malone are on board for the film.

Ibsen's play, originally premiered in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1879, centers around a family struggling with financial troubles and secrets that threaten to split them apart. Huddleston adapted the play along with Michele Martin (who previously co-wrote Dadgum, Texas with Huddleston). Martin is also acting in A Doll's House, playing the lead female role of Nora Helmer. Kingsley and Malone will be taking on the roles of Dr. Rank and Christine Linde, friend of Nora's. Sands will be playing a moneylender named Nathan Gynt.

Huddleston says that he believes the play is more relevant than ever today, when recession and faltering economies fill every nightly news broadcast. He told Variety that "by bringing [A Doll's House] into today’s world I’m going to heighten the characters’ emotional turmoil and send them on a frightening journey where their deceptions and financial decisions threaten not only their social standing but their lives.” There's no question the story will hit all too close to home for many potential moviegoers, but I hope nobody goes into it hoping to be cheered up...

Kingsley has several interesting projects on the horizon, in addition to this new one. He's appearing in Sacha Baron Cohen's The Dictator alongside an eclectic cast including John C. Reilly, Anna Faris, and Megan Fox. He's also on board for The Last Voyage of the Demeter, which follows the ill-fated ship that carries Dracula's coffin from Transylvania to England in Bram Stoker's infamous novel.

Unless you are a completely diluted, self-centered individual, you understand that you need others to help you survive in this world, whether it’s just getting by in your day-to-day life or trying to escape a mental hospital. So when Babydoll (Emily Browning) plans the latter, she doesn’t try to go it herself, and enlists the help of Amber (Jamie Chung), Rocket (Jena Malone) and Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens) to help her.

Just as I’ve been posting all week, below you will find another roundtable with the actresses of Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch, due out this Friday. The topics vary from their roles in the cut musical number (that will be featured on the director’s cut home release), the unwillingness to use stunt doubles, and the stories behind their characters. Check it out!

So I guess the first thing, what’s your most vivid memory of making this movie?

Jena: Probably day one of physical training, just because it was the hardest, I was the most unprepared, I had no idea what to expect, I had never stepped in a gym before in my entire life so I was super nervous, I didn’t even know what to wear really, and I was just completely debilitated. I walked out of there and I started crying. I was like, oh my God I don’t think I can do this at all. Three weeks in, I gained ten pounds of muscle and became completely addicted.

Have you been in a gym since?

Jena: No, not really, off and on. I’m not really that kind of person but I definitely have more of a physical-minded outlook and a healthier approach on how to maintain fit, and emotionally, too. It’s a really important release.

Jamie: I would have to say spending time with the girls and bonding on and off set. But we kind of made the set our home, our little trailer village. Jena would play her music on the loudspeaker so we would all share, during Christmas we had Christmas trees and we set up Christmas lights, we just really made a family in Vancouver.

Vanessa: Both of those things were extremely memorable, in my top three. And I think the second morning I woke up in Vancouver after working out, almost unable to walk. I was so sore, I’ve never experienced that kind of pain physically before in my life, but I showed up and the girls were there and they just kind of kept me going.

It was explained to us before that you did physical training for the stunts for three months, and you guys did it for one month, is that correct?

Jena: Abbie and Emily and I did a month in LA, a month in Vancouver, and then the girls came in to join us for the third month. And so they did six months total and we did 8 months total.

And how rigorous was the stunt work?

Jena: Rigorous. Completely fighting. I mean we had the most incredible stunt choreographer known to mankind. Damon Caro is like, you can’t ask for someone kinder, sweeter, more prepared, interested in your safety, interested in bringing out the best in you. I remember I learned how to do some sort of, I could do like a really good triple roundhouse double kick, you know, that I was like, “I got really good at this!” And he’s like, “Well good we’re incorporating it into your piece.” I was like, “Yes!” He was really good about teaching us, pushing us, rewarding us in a way that it really felt educational, kind of school, and very much fun even though you’re sweating, you’re like blind from sweating so much. It was really incredible.

Abbie told us how she thinks that Sweet Pea’s ended up in the hospital, that she took half the blame basically for something that you might have done.

Jena: Not might, did!

In your character breakdown, how did you both end up in that lovely Vermont establishment?

Jena: Well what I think is the most interesting is that it’s not about…These characters, they’ve ended up in a situation that is quite detrimental and it sort of compromised all of their freedoms. And I think what’s interesting about Zack is that he’s not really interested in about how they got there, they’re interested in what they do once they’re actually there. And I think that’s a lot about why, because instead of sort of being held up in the past of, “What did I do?” or “What didn’t I do?” and regrets, it’s like, no, “How can I be the fullest person that I am, in the moment?” And so I think all of us did a lot of preparation for our own selves, but I don’t think it’s as interesting to know as the audience, necessarily.

While we know a big production number got cut, there were little bits of production numbers in the credits. So going in, how much of that was part of the deal, part of the training, there’s choreography, there’s vocals, and then along the way, sadly, we don’t get to see that.

Jena: Well with the director’s cut I think you’ll be awfully satisfied, and so shall we. But we all worked really hard on these dances that we got to do and they’re very fulfilling and a kind of beautiful to step out of the male-driven gym, and strong fight stances, and then getting to go and remember the graceful dance of your body.

That would be partly the room and partly your characters. So what did each of you do for your dance numbers?

Jena: I did like a sci-fi zombie nurse pole-dance. I started up inside of a giant syringe and sort of pole-danced my way down the needle and then did a little jig and came back and did a little jig.

Jamie: My character was this bedazzled lunch maid. It’s pretty interesting, it started with a keyhole, and that theme plays well throughout the film

Jena: Each kind of represented an element of what the thing that we were fighting for and that mine was like the map of the mind.

Vanessa: And I do a belly-dance. Yeah, it represents getting a tool that we needed, which was a knife. So I got to dance with a knife and it was very a spectacular Moroccan set with amazing veils and all this bedazzlement. It was amazing.

It must have been disappointing that they were taken out, considering. They sound awesome.

Jena: Yeah, well not really, I think just more for us personally, to be like “Oh I wanna see!” But we did get to see them.

Jamie: In terms of the story itself, it flows, it doesn’t really need it. But selfishly I wanted it in there. And it will be for the director’s cut.

What about the idea of stunt doubles. I mean, we’re talking about killing yourselves for all of this activity and everything, what happened to the idea that you could just come on the set and act, and somebody else could put on those things.

Jamie: No way. After all that hard work and training, and by then it’s like you want to do everything yourself. And these girls, it was to a point where it was like, “Enough it enough. Let’s move on.” Because they’re like, “Well let’s do it one more time!” They just got so into it.

Jena: Yeah, I think what’s a really interesting misconception, and it’s kind of strange that a lot of actors are like, “Oh, well I do all my own stunts,” that sort of thing. It’s like, well, it takes years and years and years to train your body to understand the ability to be able to do some of the stunt work, and for me to be able to walk in with some sort of presumption that in three months I’ll be able to learn what someone has taken a lifetime to master is just completely ridiculous. But what they give you is not only a physical strength, to be able to endure shooting these fight sequences for sixteen hour days, but it also gives you a physical embodiment of the confidence, a physical embodiment of the character, a physical embodiment of what it is to actually wield these weapons and do these things. Because it is not just generic action.

Your pieces were very specific to what your character was going through, and the aggression. And mine was very specific to the feistiness, and how fast, and sort of adventurous she was, and the excitability. But I was honored to have my stunt double come in and do my pieces. And we used to call them stunt shadows because, by the way, these women, as we were having to do all our things, our treks, they were behind us learning every single move, learning our every little bit. I have a little bit of a knee wobble when I do this one thing and I remember turning around and Sam had copied my knee wobble, and I said, “Well maybe I should be copying your knee wobble because I don’t know if this is the best thing!”

Jamie: And I don’t know if you remember that mirror scene. There’s a mirror scene in the dressing room of the brothel and it’s actually the stunt doubles backs that are mimicking the girls and all their movements. That was really fun to watch.

Jena: We had gotten so far and we had been working together so closely that it was really easy to replicate each other’s movements. When I had my stunt double go up and do these pieces, after we would get a couple chances to do them and they would do them and just sort of see what worked and what didn’t and it was an honor. I really felt like it was a beautiful teamwork. I never felt frustrated, like, “Well why can’t I do that.” I could really see why certain things, they absolutely had to do. Like they were not going to throw me into a wall at a high speed fifteen different times, that’s just not appropriate. But then the fact that they allow us to do a lot of things and actually we showed them and proved to them that we could handle these things, it sort of became a bigger achievement than just saying, “Well I do all my own stunts.” It’s a little presumptuous, I think.

The stunt stuff with the big weapons and everything, was that all shot on blank sound stages and everything was added behind you then?

Jena: No, it was 80% actual sets. We had such an incredible production designer Rick Carter. All of the worlds were actually there for us, we had men in prosthetics to actually be the orcs, to be the knights, to be the all these different elements that we were fighting. There was actually, like, a castle that we were storming, and they actually built a World War I trench, and they actually built a bullet train. Though that sequence was the one that was a little bit heavier in green screen. So I’d say probably 80/20 was the percentage of green screen usage.

Every generation has its sort of, kick-butt She-ro that they cheer on, you know, Sigourney Weaver, Angelina Jolie, whatever. Who did you grow up wanting to be, a kick-butt kind of person. Was there somebody that you liked that you maybe saw likened this character to, and your character to?

Vanessa: I mean, some of the people who you mention, Angelina Jolie, Sigourney Weaver, Uma Thurman in Kill Bill. Just really strong women that you get to see kick but and it’s very rare.

Jamie: La Femme Nikita.

Jena: I mean I hate to say it but Sarah Polley’s character in Dawn of the Dead was pretty fucking awesome. I remember seeing that and being like, “That is someone I’ve never seen, that is awesome, I love that action star.” Like this nurse that’s kind of like tired, but she totally kicks ass, makes the right decisions in the moment.

We know a little bit about Rocket’s back-story but we don’t really know so much about where you guys are coming from. Did you, in your minds, bother to invent your own back-stories, and in the case of Amber I thought it was interesting because she mans the gigantic RoboCop-esque structure and then she rides the helicopter, for some reason, you seem to be the mechanical wiz in the group. But I didn’t know why because I didn’t know much about your character.

Jamie: I felt like, you know, of course there’s the back-story that’s the actor’s work that we had to do, but let me break it down for you. So Amber, she’s fiercely loyal, she’s very timid in the beginning and it’s only until Babydoll comes with this amazing plan and brings all these girls together that she finds the strength within herself to go along with these missions.

Jena: I mean you’re the first one in when she presents the plan. And the Mecha and the B-25 bomber, they’re the ones that kind of come to the rescue a bit, they’re the ones sort of like flying over, they’re like, “Okay, in that final moment that you need the ultimate loyalty to come in, okay, where’s ­­­­­­­­­­the Mecha?,” and comes and smashes it down, like, comes and saves us. And that translates in the brothel sub-reality when, it’s like, you’re the first one in, you’re the first one to steal an item, it literally is fiercely loyal.

Jamie: Yeah, and she came through and put the knife under the desk for Babydoll to save herself from Blue. I feel like I’m every character.

And how about your character? I mean despite the fact that she makes a choice that kind of…

Vanessa: She does a lot of things out of fear; she’s kind of a follower. She doesn’t really stand up for her own rights, I believe, which it probably, eventually, inevitably put her in the institute. When you’re doing things out of fear they’re usually not the smartest of things and it does come back and catches up with her.

What do you think the five women here, through this journey and sacrifice, represent? When people walk out of this, what do you think they’re supposed to be getting?

Jena: That women can basically do anything that they put their minds to.

Jamie: That we’re multi-layered. That as a female hero, you can show various layers of different emotions and different sides.

Vanessa: Yeah, the freedom and strength of the mind. You know we don’t get enough credit and it’s just amazing that when you are put in dire, compromising situations, you really can find your own positives, find your own freedom, and make your destiny. Bam!

Have you guys been angling for Superman, or no?

All Three: No…

Working again with Zack, is that something you’d like to do?

Jamie: We don’t have to be in his movies to support him, you know? I would bring him his coffee everyday.

And what are you guys doing next?

Jena: Breaking it up!

Jamie: I have Hangover and Premium Rush

Vanessa: I have a movie coming out called Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. It’s like a fun, big, family 3D adventure film. And that’s with Michael Caine, so I can check it off my bucket list.

Are there more High School Musicals?

Vanessa: No.

You’d think that after releasing maybe the largest promotional poster ever the other day that Warner Bros. would cool it with the marketing of Sucker Punch at least on the poster side of things for a little while. Well, apparently there’s a reason we’re not paid to market films because they’ve gone ahead and released yet another visually stimulating poster for Zack Snyder’s next romp.

With heavy shades of greens and browns, video game fans will likely confuse this for a poster for the long talked about Bioshock film until their double take confirms that that’s not a big daddy in the background. The poster still reminds us of what we’re going to get once the movie drop in March: high flying action, dragons, and five hot girls ready to make the burliest of dudes feel like little girly men.

Thanks to Yahoo! Movies for getting this out.