Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has signed on to `` The Hunger Games : Catching Fire '' as Plutarch Heavensbee , the politically crafty Head Gamemaker who oversees the 75th Annual Hunger Games , Lionsgate announced Monday . Hoffman is the first new actor to officially join the wildly popular franchise , alongside stars Jennifer Lawrence , Josh Hutcherson , Liam Hemsworth , Woody Harrelson , Lenny Kravitz , Elizabeth Banks , and Donald Sutherland . Actress Jena Malone has reportedly signed up to play tribute Johanna Mason — EW first reported that Malone was in the running for the role — but Lionsgate has yet to confirm that casting . Director Francis Lawrence is aiming to start shooting `` Catching Fire '' later this year . Along with Hoffman 's casting , the studio also released its first official synopsis for the film , based on the best-selling novel by Suzanne Collins . Check it out below : . `` '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 75th Annual Hunger Games ( The Quarter Quell ) — a competition that could change Panem forever . '' `` The Hunger Games : Catching Fire '' is set to hit theaters on November 22 , 2013 . See full story at EW.com .
Philip Seymour Hoffman has been cast in `` The Hunger Games : Catching Fire '' Hoffman will portray politically crafty Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee . He 's the first new actor to officially join the wildly popular franchise . `` The Hunger Games : Catching Fire '' is set to hit theaters on November 22 , 2013 .