Image Credit: Allen Berezovsky/PR Photos
Lionsgate and director Gary Ross have brought Lenny Kravitz on board The Hunger Games. The actor-musician, who gave a brief but powerful performance in Precious, will play heroine Katniss Everdeen’s Capitol-appointed stylist, Cinna, the kind and graceful artist who conceives of Katniss’ breath-taking Girl on Fire dress. While most people in the Capitol dress in absurdly garish fashion, Cinna’s one nod to flare is gold eyeliner. Katniss quickly comes to believe that her stylist not only possesses great artistic skill, but a good heart as well.
Filming on The Hunger Games, which stars, among many others, Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson, and Elizabeth Banks, just commenced in North Carolina. EW recently revealed an exclusive first look at Lawrence in costume as trilogy heroine Katniss.
For more on The Hunger Games, including photos of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and a guide to the film’s other characters, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands now.
Read more:
First look at Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in ‘The Hunger Games’
‘Hunger Games’ Central
‘Hunger Games’: Meet the Cast!
This is the only casting so far that has made me pause in a bad way. I have no issue w/ Lenny Kravitz overall, just I pictured someone young and serious. There’s potential… best to take the wait-and-see approach.
ITA…I just don’t see it, but then again, he blew me away in Precious…so he could surprise me again.
I guess he only got a 2 movie contract.
This is really rare of me but I just realised who he was in Precious.
I hear another 80s has-been Vanilla Ice is also available.
Lenny Kravitz’s biggest hits were in the 90s. Try to be less stupid, Greg.
he only got a 2 movie contract because cinna is only in two of the books.
He was in Precious??
He was in precious.. who wasn’t?
I agree, I loved him in precious. However I REALLY wanted Stanley Tucci to place Cinna.
My thoughts exactly. This is the first time I have really thought that maybe they didn’t get it quite right. Alas, I have opted to take an open mind approach in regards to the films.
Woody Harelson was the first time I thought they didn’t get it right. Kravitz is the second. He can act, but I just don’t know if he can bring the right feel to the character, esp. in the second book. I hope so.
Harrelson is actually perfect for Haymitch, attitude & description wise. a lot of people wanted Hugh Laurie b/c of his personality, but harrelson is an AMAZING actor. And Kravits isnt necessarily how Cinna was described… but it makes sense because Cinna kind of needs to have a soft personality but also the silent stength to help incite a rebellion. THG is lucky to have both
I have no idea if the man can act, but he matches up pretty well to the image i had of Cinna when reading the book. Though I pictured him a more wirey in terms of build.
He was really great in Precious. I didn’t even know it was him!
He’s exactly the way I pictured him in the book too.
Ugh, I need to read this already! Very eniertsting angle—about whether and how to teach the book to students—as opposed to a standard review. I wasn’t aware that this series was so violent, but I guess that’s to be expected given the nature of the story! I say any book, even the most violent or controversial ones, deserve to be exposed to students. I’m not against banning any quality book in school, but of course, parents will be parents. But oftentimes popular, commercial books are the ones that get kids to read—and as long as they’re reading and loving it, who cares what book it is!
Not at all what I pictured.
I know!! I had my heart set on Cillian Murphy. So I’m really disappointed now. But if he can really pull it off I’ll be okay with it.
I agree about Cillian Murphy…he’s just more what I pictured when reading the books.
i had my heart set on cillian too. but after seeing him in precious im convinced. go lenny!
Ha- Cinna has to be more than just ‘understated’ like everyone’s saying. Katniss called him “lovely” in the books, and he was supposed to be a “young man”. Cillian sounding better to you yet?
For real- Look! all of us would rather have Cillian Murphy play Cinna. Don’t you think if enough people, like, emailed debra zane, we could change something?! It could really happen!
I’m also dislike the casting.
You know who would have been PERFECT??
1991 Lenny Kravitz!!!
Ha. He is older than I thought Cinna would be, but he doesn’t look it. I think he’ll be fine.
I was kind of surprised but I think he has the right energy. He could be great. here’s hoping.
he wants to start a career in acting and i say go for it. you’ll do great
not who i was hoping for either. then again, also not a fan of woody harreelson. waiting to see…
Who will they cast as buttercup?
a) a very old geriatric cat that is also a great actor because after all in movies and tv old cats always play kittens.
b) a red or black cat with acting experience and awards nominations because after all color is not important they will dye its hair and acting is more important. Plus it’s impossible to cast a yellow cat that also has acting talent.
c) a black old cat that became famous not because his acting but its singing but had a 5 minute role in a movie and gary ross liked his acting.
d) Cate blanchet! She is an oscar winner actress and because of that she can pull off anything. If you don’t think she is the right one watch all of her previous movies. She even played BOB DYLAN!
e) a yellow mashed-in nose,half of one ear missing, eyes the color of rotting squad.
f) a squirrel or a dog because there is one thing called makeup and there’s also Hollywood magic.
G)None of the above they will just cut out Buttercup because he is a minor role.
Not really what I had in mind (I imagined Cinna smaller, graceful), but I’ll wait and see.
Yeah…I had pictured Cinna as sort of delicate and feninine myself. But I guess we’ll see.
Oh my god- Cillian Murphy as ANYONE! The man is brilliant!
Heck yes he is!!! And just the right build and personality for the part too!
I don’t remember him in Prescious at all. Must have been a really small part. I would have preferred Cillian Murphy (but perhaps he’s a good candidate for President Snow).
He was great in Prescious. Watch the film again.
OMG Cillian Murphy as SNow would be amazing.
Murphy as Snow would be amazing. He has that scary creepy kind of attitude. I think Lenny Kravits will be just fine. Not everyone’s first choice but he does have that who gives a frack cool demeanor.
Murphy can do creepy well enough for Snow, but he’s wayy too young!
Everyone needs to stop riding Cillian Murphy’s dic for real. I don’t like the casting of Kravitz (but like many others I will wait and see how it turns out), but honestly, I’m glad it wasn’t Cillian. He creeps me out.
Well, if you think Cillian Murphy is creepy, than he’d be PERFECT for President Snow! ;D
Okay I’m glad I’m not the old one who Cillian Murphy creeps out. The only time I was freaked out by his looks was in the new “Tron” movie.
And don’t even bring up the Pres Snow route. He’s way too young and raven haired.
Interesting. When I first saw him (Inception), I thought he was “pretty” AND found him a little…creepy…I can’t say why.
he was the male nurse in precious. His part was small, but actuallly really important because he had a genuine love for this girl who was abused her whole life & the injustice of it all. hmmm…. kind of like Cinna!
Yeah, for me Cillian Murphy is a little too creepy for Cinna. I’m not 100% about Lenny Kravitz, but I can see possibility. I think he has the right “vibe” for Cinna. Quietly rebellious. I like Cillian Murphy for President Snow.
I love it!
same here!! I’M BLOWN AWAY! I love it! Totally unexpected. Like them Capitol people. I can see him nailing this. He’s got serious style so he can pull this off beautifully!
I agree I think he’s going to surprise us all!
whaaaat?
WHY????? Seriously. WHY? Terrible, horrible, stupid, asinine casting of an otherwise near-perfectly cast movie. Who was smoking crack the day they decided to offer the role to a washed-up old guy?
‘Washed up old guy’?? Ouch, you just aged me 20 years….Lenny is a god!! He is different from who I imagined in the book, but he was great in Precious, so I’ll be excited to see what he does with the role.
ok i like lenny but he aint no god.. @allie listen this is a good casting so get your foot out of that mouth. no one is impressed by your excessive, strongly-worded rant..
My initial response was similar except I was thinking NOOOOO!
It mostly had to do with the image I had of Cinna in my head based on the book. But after seeing the picture of him in the post and remembering his general acting skills I think that he could be the man for the job…I’ll hold my real judgement til the movie though.
I was seeing bigger hair, and piercings, both of which do not fit Cinna. At least his hair is short, but, the tattoos are a bit much for someone whose ONLY flair is gold eyeliner…They will have to have him take out all the piercings and cover the tattoos to make him the Cinna from the books!
Actors have their tats covered up all the time. Tats are hardly a big thing or a deal breaker from someone getting a particular part in a movie.
Um, Emily, I imagine he’ll be wearing CLOTHES. You won’t see his tats. LOL
Piercings are no big thing, actors take those out all the time. I was actually more concerned by his build, Cinna is very slight and delicate. But hopefully Kravitz call work that. I know he’s small, but “delicate”… hmmm.
@allie. Just because you pictured a character one way doesnt mean that’s how the author pictured the character. Collins has been incredibly active in the casting choices with Ross. Kravitz will be brilliant as Cinna. & THG is lucky to have this “washed up old guy” in the movie- b/c kravitz could of honestly acted like he was above this franchise. Man, all people do is complain.
I like the different approach to Cinna!
I’m actually 100% cool with this. Inspired choice.
Agreed! Not at all what I pictured, but I’m incredibly excited, I think he’s going to be great!
Same here! I never would have thought of him if I was in charge of casting, but I think it’s a pretty cool choice. He definitely has style.
I just hope he can bring it to Cinna on the acting front. But I trust they chose him for a reason.
Are you kidding me? I thought this was a joke when I first read it. This is great, this guy can’t even act in his own music videos.
Did you see him in Precious? He was great! Give him a shot.
just watched precious, because everyone said he was so great in the movie. He wasnt as amazing as everyone says, not even close
Awesome stuff. And Mos Def is killing it with that bow tie and short svelee shirt- not usually a fan of short svelees, but he’s got the right fit, and most importantly the right attitude.
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theres a difference between acting in a movie and acting in a music video. an i agree michelle he was awesome in precious! This is not the first time a singer has been cast in a movie.
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I actually love it…Kravits is stylish, handsome and soft spoken all of the attributes that Cinna possessed.
I agree – the more I think about it, the more I like this choice.
I hadn’t really pictured Cinna being anything but white, but I agree – he looks perfect! Handsome, elegant, and kind.
That’s Kravitz…i need to stop typing so fast.
I didn’t see ‘Precious’, so I have not seen him act, and this announcement kind of sent my eyebrows shooting up towards my hairline in surprise, but the casting so far has been fantastic, so I’m going to adopt a “wait and see” approach.
That’s exactly how I feel.
Huh…I really don’t know what to think of this. I haven’t seen him act, so I don’t want to rush to any judgment, but he’s not at all what I pictured.
It’s an interesting pick… I’ll wait and see how it works!
I’m kinda digging it. Interesting choice.
swoon!
ditto! love him