‘True Grit’ Star Hailee Steinfeld Rumored For ‘The Hunger Games’

Recruiting Hailee Steinfeld (a.k.a. Mattie Ross in the Coen Brothers’ True Grit) to play the strong-willed, 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games seems like as much a no-brainer as casting Mark Strong to be the antagonist in a big-budget production (we kid Mr. Strong – sort of).

Current rumors, however, do peg Miss Steinfeld as being a legitimate contender to star in director Gary Ross’ PG-13 adaptation of Suzanne Collin’s runaway hit novel – the first in a trilogy about a dystopian future in which adolescents must battle one another to the death.

The source for this otherwise unsubstantiated rumor is Cinematical, which also pointed out that Steinfeld is very much an ideal candidate to play Hunger Games‘ Katniss, in terms of both her age and from a physical standpoint (hair color, skin tone, and slender build). Steinfeld’s Mattie Ross persona is also virtually identical to Miss Everdeen’s; both are fiercely independent, capable young women who can be ruthlessly efficient (especially when it comes to taking care of business) but remain very likable and admirable figures.

Katniss is also a deadly warrior whose abilities are put to the test when she competes in the annual Hunger Games, a vicious government-sponsored event in which teenagers are pitted against one another in a death match that serves as a symbol of the Capitol’s might. The character’s mix of warrior instinct and emotional vulnerability also suggests that someone like Chloe Moretz, a.k.a. Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass, would be a natural fit as well – even though the young actress wouldn’t be allowed to drop as many (to quote Spock from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home) “colorful metaphors” this next time around .

Steinfeld could receive an Oscar nod for her turn as Miss Ross and rightly so – while there’s no denying the Coens did an excellent job of scripting the character, Steinfeld delivered the right mix of convincing no-nonsense attitude and authentic emotion to make Mattie truly feel like a real person. While she is still a few years away from being a legal adult and should actually try to enjoy life as a teen, Steinfeld does just seem like almost a perfect fit to play the protagonist of The Hunger Games.

There are certainly other young women in the world capable of bringing Katniss to life and it’s possible that Ross will be inclined to select an unknown to star in his adaptation – as opposed to going with either the likes of Steinfeld or Moretz. It’s all speculation at this point, either way, but keep an eye out for more substantial news and information about this project over the next year.

The Hunger Games is not expected to reach theaters until either late 2012 or 2013.

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Source: Moviefone

Hunger Games artwork source: Kristenstewarttwilight.om

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Zooey Deschanel Rumored To Join Spider-Man Reboot

Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) might not be the only attractive young lady that turns Peter Parker’s head in Sony’s Spider-Man reboot – and no, we’re not backtracking on the “no Mary Jane” promise again.

Word is that Zooey Deschanel may reunite with her 500 Days of Summer director Marc Webb for the webslinger’s new movie, which officially shifts into production mode beginning next month.

Deschanel would reportedly star in the Spider-Man reboot as Elizabeth “Betty” Brant, the assistant to Peter’s fast-talking, hard-edged boss J. Jonah Jameson at the Daily Bugle. Actress Elizabeth Banks dyed her blonde locks brown to play the character in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, but Miss Brant was never a major player in those films. Showbiz Spy indicates that that could change in Webb’s reboot and claims that the director has “big plans” for the character and “wants a strong performer to carry the role and Zooey fits the bill perfectly. The role is hers if she wants it.”

The female half (naturally) of the musical duo She & Him, Deschanel is a charismatic actress who delivered memorable performances in films like Almost Famous, Elf, and Webb’s Summer indie rom-com (see what we did there?), among others. She would be a welcome addition to the Spider-Man reboot cast, which recently added Sally Field and Martin Sheen to its ranks as well.

Joseph Godon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel in '500 Days of Summer'.

What exactly are these “big plans” that Webb has for Miss Brant? The character was romantically involved with Peter Parker a handful of times in the original Spider-Man comics, but things never seemed to work out between those two crazy kids (supervillains and Peter’s hero duties always tended to get in the way). Will the reboot set Betty up as a future love interest for Mr. Parker? Or might she have more of a platonic relationship with Peter in future Spider-Man installments?

Miss Bryant will definitely appear in the webslinger’s new movie, regardless of whether or not Deschanel plays her. A larger role for the character would help the reboot further distinguish itself from Raimi’s Spider-Man and provide some additional personal drama for Peter to deal with – and he can never have enough of that, right?

What do you think of the latest Spider-Man casting rumor?

Source: Showbiz Spy (via MTV)

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