Jeffrey Wright is totally playing Beetee in ‘THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE’

Jeffrey Wright is a great actor, and now he is going to get to show off his chops to a lot more people. Duder who is best known for hanging around with Danny Craig in the Bond Flicks has been cast in a rather essential role in Catching Fire.

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Most of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire cast has been in place for weeks if not months, but as often happens with projects this big, there’s been a last-minute tweak. Fortunately, it’s a positive one: Character actor Jeffrey Wright has just signed on to play Beetee, a former Hunger Games winner from District 3. I want to say that this is the end of major casting for the film, but every time I think we’re just about done something else seems to shift. So I won’t. More after the jump.

Directed by Francis Lawrence and based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire picks up with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) shortly after the events of the first movie, as they take a Victor’s Tour around Panem. During their travels, Katniss realizes that a rebellion against the Capitol is gaining traction. The plotline sees the pair coming into contact with a number of other former Games winners, including Finnick (Sam Claflin), Johanna (Jena Malone), and Mags (Lynn Cohen).

Lionsgate issued a press release announcing Wright’s casting today. Earlier this summer, rumor had it that Tony Shalhoub was up for the part. Known for his intelligence and expertise with technology, Beetee won the Games in his year by rigging an electronic trap to kill off his competitors. He remains close friends with another District 3 victor, Wiress (Amanda Plummer), and immediately hits it off with Katniss they meet.