Sep 10, 2012 12:51 PM EDT
'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Movie: Production to Begin This Month; New Casting, Film Location Details

New details are emerging for the highly anticipated second "Hunger Games" movie, "Catching Fire."

Lionsgate and the filmmakers of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" announced Friday that actor Jeffrey Wright has been cast as Beetee from District 3, nicknamed "Volts" because of his electronics expertise.

According to the press release, "critically acclaimed and known to theater, film and television audiences alike, Wright garnered a Tony® Award in 1994 for his work in Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize-winning epic 'Angels in America' and reprised his 'Angels' role in HBO's 2003 mini-series adaptation of the play, earning both a Golden Globe® and an Emmy® for his groundbreaking performance. Since then he has played memorable roles in films as diverse as 'BASQUIAT,' 'SOURCE CODE,' 'CASINO ROYALE' and 'QUANTUM OF SOLACE,' 'W, SYRIANA,' and 'CADILLAC RECORDS.' Wright can next be seen with Mark Walhberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Allen Hughes' political thriller 'BROKEN CITY.'" 

Actress Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" series, recently spoke out about how she nearly turned down the key role that made her one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

According to the Huffington Post, Lawrence said she spent about three days figuring she would say no to playing Katniss Everdeen, the hero of the action franchise set in a post-apocalyptic North America where teens are forced to fight in televised death matches.

The 22-year-old actress said she had envisioned remaining where she started, in smaller independent films, and that "just saying yes to this one thing could completely change my life, and I don't know if it's going to be for the better," Lawrence said in an interview over the weekend at the Toronto International Film Festival, where her comic drama "Silver Linings Playbook" premiered.

She ultimately agreed to do "The Hunger Games" for the same reasons she does indie flicks - and because of some straight talk from her mom.

"She was like, 'You're being a hypocrite, because you always say you don't care about the size of the movies.' Because when I was doing indies, everybody was always like, 'Why don't you ever do a studio?' I'd say, 'Because I don't care about the size of the movie. I care about the story,'" Lawrence said. "And my mom was like, 'Now you have a story you like, and you're not going to do it because of the size.'

"The truth was, in the bottom of my heart, I wanted to do it. I wanted to play this character. I was scared of the aftermath, but you can't say no to things because you're scared. You just have to go for it."

"On the Road" actor Garrett Hedlund also spoke out about playing Finnick Odair, which "Snow White and the Huntsman" actor Sam Claflin has now.

According to BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, Garrett has revealed that he was considered for the role of hunky tribute Finnick Odair in "Catching Fire" before it was eventually given to Claflin.

"They did [approach me]," he admitted to MTV News. "But I was working on this film at the time. We shot the whole film in 23 days and I was really immersed in it. I couldn't get around [to reading the Hunger Games novels]."

"Everybody around me is flipping out about the books, and I didn't really have the time to sit down lately to read any book, not just Hunger Games.

"But I've got a couple [projects] on my plate that I'm looking forward to reading now."

Actor Woody Harrelson, who stars as Haymitch Abernathy in the "Hunger Games" movies, revealed in August that filming will begin in September on the second film adaption of Suzanne Collins' bestselling trilogy.

According to CBS News, Harrelson said the film will be shot in Atlanta, and in Hawaii. "The part I'm not in is going to be shot in Hawaii, which happens to be where I live. It's one of life's ironies."

This is similar to what reports said in July about filming in Georgia.

"Sources close to the production tell us various locations in Georgia are currently being looked at for "Victor's Village" in District 12 - the affluent neighborhood where winners of the Hunger Games live. In the book, the victor is given a luxurious home for winning the Games," reported Celebuzz.

There are only three victors from District 12: Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark and Haymitch. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) live together, while Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) lives on his own.

Katniss' mansion is described as white and clean; Haymitch's mansion has more of a cottage feel with wooden windows.

"Catching Fire" has a release date of November 22, 2013. "May the odds be ever in your favor!"

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