The Hunger Games live show is kicking off in London later this month, and some big casting news has just been announced in the form of John Malkovich, but there's a twist.
The actor will be taking on the role of Coriolanus Snow, the evil President of the Capitol of Panem. However, it looks like he won't be appearing on the stage.
Instead, his performance appears to have been pre-recorded, and will play on a screen during performances. While it may be disappointing for attendees not to see Malkovich in the flesh, it does make narrative sense, as Snow's character is an untouchable puppeteer, running things from a distance.
"I'm delighted to join the World Premiere production of The Hunger Games in London, bringing this iconic story to the stage," the actor said.
"Playing President Coriolanus Snow will be thrilling, because I have long been an admirer of Suzanne Collins' novels, the films and Conor McPherson's writing, and it is a privilege to take on this role."
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2:22 A Ghost Story's Matthew Dunster is directing this adaptation of the first book in the series, which sees Katniss Everdeen volunteer to take part in the Hunger Games, a deadly annual competition that serves as a symbol for the power the Capitol wields over the dystopian world of Panem.
The cast for the stage version includes Mia Carragher as Katniss, Euan Garrett as Peeta Mellark, Tristan Waterson as Gale Hawthorne, Joshua Lacey as Haymitch Abernathy, and Tamsin Carroll as Effie Trinket.
The show runs in the purpose-built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, in a theatre-in-the-round setting with each section named after a different District. Tickets are on sale now, with dates currently running until mid-February.
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The Hunger Games as a wider franchise is still going strong, with the Sunrise on the Reaping prequel novel releasing earlier this year to huge debut sales.
That novel is getting turned into a film, set to release next November, and it features a pretty beefy cast list.
The Hunger Games: On Stage begins in London on October 20.
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Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy, having worked there since 2016. In his time, he's covered a host of live events and interviewed celebrities big and small. A big fan of TV and movies both mainstream and obscure, Joe also enjoys video games and in particular PlayStation. Joe currently does not use Twitter, but he only ever used it to tell people to watch the film Help! I'm a Fish.
