Director Francis Lawrence and Lionsgate have cast Lynn Cohen (Munich, Eagle Eye) as Mags in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The character is a former mentor to Finnick Odair, and an eighty-year old Hunger Games victor from District 4. Seems like she's a perfect fit for the role. Here's a little bit more detailed information on the character:
Mags was the female tribute from District 4 during the 75th Hunger Games, for which she volunteered, as well as a previous, unspecified Hunger Games, most likely the 7th-14th Hunger Games.
Being a previous victor and a mentor for the tributes of District 4,Finnick Odair and Annie Cresta, Mags, an eighty year old woman, loyally volunteered for the 75th Hunger Games in the place of Annie, becoming a tribute alongside Finnick. She stutters every time she talks, and Katniss believes it is because of a possible stroke she may have had in the past. While in training for the third Quarter Quell, Katniss Everdeen watched as Mags displayed her skill of being able to make fishhooks out of nearly anything. This skill, plus the fact that she volunteered to take Annie Cresta's place, made Katniss want Mags to be one of her allies in the arena.
Here's the Synopsis:
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.
From the Press Release:
Known to New York theater audiences for decades of memorable roles, Cohen has also appeared in critically acclaimed films such as Steven Spielberg’s Munich and Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, NY, as well as commercial fare such as Sex and The City and its sequel. She can next be seen in They Came Together, with Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler.
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 sold more than 50 million books in print and digital in the U.S. alone.
Lionsgate will release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on November 22, 2013.