Philip Seymour Hoffman Confirmed for Catching Fire

Last month, we reported that Philip Seymour Hoffman was offered the role of Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.? Today, Lionsgate has sent out a press announcing that he has accepted the role.? In the book, Heavensbee plays a small-but-crucial role.? However, the part might be expanded in the film much like Seneca Crane became a much larger figure in Gary Ross? The Hunger Games.? Filming on The Hunger Games is set to begin the fall for November 22, 2013 release date.? Hoffman will next be seen in Paul Thomas Anderson?s The Master.

In other Hunger Games news, Lionsgate has released a new trailer for the special features on the Blu-ray/DVD.? There will be three hours of behind-the-scenes footage on the disc, which includes a look at the casting, special effects, action choreography, and more.? It doesn?t look like any of these features will get into the nitty-gritty of the production, but it will still be a nice treat for the fans.? Hit the jump to check out the trailer.? The Hunger Games hits DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Download on August 18th.

Click over to EW to see the trailer.? We?ll have an embed as soon as one is available.

Here?s the list of special features:

BLU-RAY & DVD SPECIAL FEATURES^*

*??? ?The World is Watching: Making of The Hunger Games? ? an eight-part documentary covering the ?making of? the film in all aspects from the pre-production process all the way through the theatrical release and fan reactions
*??? ?Game Maker: Suzanne Collins and The Hunger Games Phenomenom? featurette
*??? ?Letters from the Rose Garden? featurette ? insights from Donald Sutherland on the development of his role as President Snow
*??? ?Controlling the Games? featurette ? stories and concepts behind creating the control center
*??? ?A Conversation with Gary Ross and Elvis Mitchell?
*??? Propaganda Film (in its entirety)
*??? Marketing Archive
*??? ?Preparing for The Games: A Director?s Process? (Blu-ray Exclusive)
* Subject to change

Here?s the press release regarding Hoffman?s casting:

PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN CAST AS PLUTARCH HEAVENSBEE IN LIONSGATE?S THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

Santa Monica, CA, July 9, 2012- Lionsgate? and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE are pleased to announce that Philip Seymour Hoffman has been cast in the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, Head Gamemaker for The Hunger Games, in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins? worldwide smash hit novel Catching Fire.

The actor and filmmaker just wrapped a Broadway run as Willy Loman in the revival of ?Death of a Salesman? for which he was nominated for a Tony Award.? He will next be seen in Paul Thomas Anderson?s ?The Master? and the indie film ?A Late Quartet? alongside Catherine Keener and Christopher Walken.? More recent films include ?Moneyball,? ?The Ides of March? and ?Jack Goes Boating? which marked Hoffman?s feature directorial debut.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark.? ?Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a ?Victor?s Tour? of the districts.? Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75^th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) ? a competition that could change Panem forever.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson?s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has over 36 million copies in print in the U.S. alone.

Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on November 22, 2013.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1925500/news/1925500/

zynga ipo zynga ipo sam hurd arrested roddy white roddy white howard stern howard stern