There is little more than a year to go before the next film from The Hunger Games hits theaters, but it needs to be recorded and produced long before it hits screens, and Lionsgate today announced that Peter Dinklagethe four-time Emmy Award winner for his role on HBO’s Game of Thrones, has joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Serpents.
This film, which will be a prequel to the saga we know, will bring Dinklage as Casca Highbottomthe dean of the Academy, so this announcement made by Nathan Kahanepresident of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group.
Dinklage will star in the film alongside Tom Blythwho will play the young Coriolanus Snow, and Rachel Zegler, as a tribute to Lucy Gray Baird, this film will be directed by Francis Lawrencewho previously directed 3 of the films within the franchise: Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 and Mockingjay Part 2, will also be directed by producer Nina Jacobson and her producing partner Brad Simpson, while Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen and Jim Miller will star. as executive producers.
“With production underway, we couldn’t be more excited about how this cast has come together and delighted to welcome Peter Dinklage to Panem”Kahane said. “Peter is not just a fan-favorite actor who brings a commanding presence to every role he plays. He is one of the greatest actors alive. He will bring a formidable and charismatic authority to the important role of the Dean of the Academy.”
“Dean Highbottom is one of the most powerful people in Snow’s life”director Francis Lawrence said. “As the austere and vengeful face of the games, he sets the rules that will determine all aspects of Coriolanus’ fate. I’m thrilled to have Peter bring him to life.”
“I can’t think of a more suitable actor to play the role of Highbottom”said Nina Jacobson, the film’s producer. “As the man credited with conceiving The Hunger Games and the dean of the Academy, Casca Highbottom is a character with secrets. Peter’s magnetism, intensity and dark humor will infuse him with intelligence, depth and pathos that the role demands”.