Yep. I didn't think so either.
My first thought was: Glimmer. That's freaking Glimmer from District 1, right? This is a joke, right? They really are casting Katniss as a tall curvy blonde white girl?
There's been a quiet buzz around The Hunger Games casting for a long time now, barely audible beneath the ZOMG I WANNA BE KATNISS shrieking, and that's that it's never been clear whether or not Katniss is white. She's described as olive-skinned, gray-eyed, and dark-haired, which to me adds up to Latina or Native American, but which Hollywood unsurprisingly interpreted as "Caucasian." She does have a very fair sister and mother as described in the novels, so I guess it was ambiguous, but it's still incredibly frustrating that they felt the need to specify her race in the casting call.
In that vein, and continuing along the lines of my first thought, I should be disappointed in Jennifer Lawrence's casting, too. After all, she is the epitome of the blonde Hollywood bombshell on the red carpet, and even though I hate to hold a boyfriend against her, she is dating Nicholas freakin' Hoult. But honestly, my second thought went something much more like this: Wait a minute. Is that that chick from Winter's Bone?
And pissed as I remain that Hollywood didn't take the opportunity to add some color to their lily-white mix with someone who looks more like this, I am now convinced that she will make an un-frigging-believably awesome Katniss, especially since even Suzanne Collins is a fan.
In other news, Miley Cyrus has been confirmed as Janie for the movie adaptation of Lisa McMann's Wake, which ironically is something out of a recurring nightmare of mine. Because we all know a Disney star worth $120 million that is using this movie "as a vehicle" is the perfect choice for someone without enough money to buy groceries who's trying to put herself through college. Yep, I'm trying not to think about it, either.
Anyway, what does everyone think of the choices for Katniss and Janie? Please chime in in the comments!
Now Listening: "Daffodil Lament" by The Cranberries.
7 comments:
Cyrus for Janie?
*facepalm*
I'm excited to have Jennifer as Lawrence. I've yet to see her act, though I'm planning on watching Winter's Bone ASAP. I think we could have had a lot worse actresses chosen for the role (**cough** Miley Cyrus***cough)
I'm really excited about Jennifer! I'm just excited that they got someone that can act! :) She can always get airbrushed and roughed up! Dye her hair and she will be perfect. I bet they will make her lose weight too. Did you see Sophistikaited Reviews fan art? Awesome! http://sophistikatied.blogspot.com/2011/03/fan-art-friday-76.html
Oh and Miley being cast as one of my favorite characters in one of my favorite series makes me cry if I think about it too long...
I was a bit worried about Jennifer, but as long as they dye her hair, I think she'll be Katniss Everdeen!
Miley as Janie? Really?
I feel that they shouldn't have to give Jennifer a tan and dye her hair, but at least the project is moving forward. She seems like a good actress, but I was afraid they'd chose Vanessa hudgens or something. I wish they would have been a little more open with the casting, but watching the trailer I'm pretty sure it'll be okay. Everyone is thinking that Willow Smith should play Rue...
As for Miley Cyrus? I hope she does something Lohan like and gets kicked off the project. I'm not sure that I will be watching that movie, even though I really liked the book and plan on finishing the series at some point. Miley Cyrus isn't even a good actress...
I don't remember Katniss's skin and eye color being discussed in the first book, but it's been a while since I read the first book, so I'm sure it's just something I forgot reading.
I always pictured Katniss as Caucasian because District 12 sounded like it was somewhere in Appalachia, and not to sound insensitive, but that's not exactly an ethnically diverse area.
@Jessica Secret: My thoughts exactly. *double facepalm*
@Natalie: No freaking kidding they could have picked worse! I haven't seen Winter's Bone yet, either, but I'm dying to now!
@Lori: Wow, gorgeous! Fits a lot better with how Katniss looked in my head than the red carpet photos. Yeah, I'm incredibly disappointed about the Miley Cyrus thing. This seriously might make me skip the movie.
@YA Book Queen: I'm actually hoping they DON'T focus too much on dying the hair or it will look tacky, but I see your point. =) I love the fact that she's actually from Appalachia!
@Najela: I hope they don't give her a tan, because that will drive home the fact that the casting WASN'T open, which is infuriating. I'm happy with Jennifer Lawrence's casting after much deliberation, but still infuriating. I'd LOVE Willow Smith as Rue, too! And while I try not to wish ill on anyone, it would feel like sweet justice if Miley got kicked off the project. Though that would probably be its kiss of death. Catch 22, ugh! =S I hope you do finish the trilogy eventually, by the way. I think they're fantastic.
@Beth S.: That's funny that you don't remember! I always thought Katniss's appearance was over-emphasized. Fair point that Appalachia isn't diverse, but I always thought that Katniss (and the other people from the Seam like Gale and Haymitch) were Cherokee and/or melungeon. I used to live in Virginia, and whenever we'd visit the mountains, those were the groups I saw. But as I pointed out, Jennifer Lawrence IS from Kentucky, so...it works. She's a great actress. =)
Thanks for the comments, everyone!
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