Could Selena Gomez Play Johanna in Catching Fire? – Our Thoughts
The character of Johanna in the Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire has yet to be cast, and we began wondering, what if one of the three most famous actresses played the role.
The role of Johanna Mason will be a tough one to fill.
She is sarcastic and mean-spirited. Johanna’s first meeting with Katniss involves her stripping out of her tree costume in order to make Katniss uncomfortable.
She reveals that she has no friends or family in District 7, stating “there is no one left I care about.” She won her original Hunger Games by pretending she was a weakling and a coward, so no one regarded her as a threat, but when only a few tributes remained, she revealed herself as a vicious killer.
Johanna teams up with Katniss, Peeta, and Finnick in the Quarter Quell, bringing Beetee and Wiress with her, because that was the only way to ally with Katniss. Katniss describes her presence as being akin to having an older sister who hates you. Johanna takes part in the committee to keep Katniss and Peeta alive, and helps by protecting Katniss throughout the Games. Near the end of Catching Fire she removes the tracker in Katniss’ arm by cutting it out with a knife.
Johanna is captured by the Capitol at the end of Catching Fire.
Could Selena Gomez play the role of the hardened, sarcastic and sometimes mean District 7 tribute/victor?
Note: I am assuming who plays the role in Catching Fire will play it as well in Mockingjay.
There are a few reasons why I think she could pull of the role.
Firstly, we know from reading the series that she is beautiful enough that President Snow tries to force her into the prostitution ring of previous Victors. We know that Finnick was used as one, and much of it comes from how desirable the victor is. Selena is a very pretty young actress. It wouldn’t be unbelievable to accept that President Snow, the sponsors, and the wealthy citizens of the Capitol would find her desirable.
I also think that give the opportunity she could play the part of an “older sister who hates you but loves you” character, which is the type of relationship we see between Katniss and Johanna at the beginning of Mockingjay.
If they show it, I think it is believable that Selena could pull off the weakling persona that Johanna used to win her first Hunger Games.
The best reason Selena would fit in the role is her appearance. She matches the description of the characters appearance in the novel. In the novel she is described as having wide-set brown eyes and short brown hair, both of which match Selena pretty well. The only thing that could hinder this is whether or not she would be willing to shave her head/ or appear to have for Mockingjay.
There are a couple reasons, however, that I think she couldn’t play this role.
I have never seen her in a physical role, especially not as physical as series would require. She would have to train for months to wield an axe and I probably still wouldn’t find it believable that she is a warrior.
Selena as an actress and person, just seems to incredibly wholesome and nice to be able to transform into a mean, sarcastic young woman described as having a “wicked ability to murder.” It may be because we have never seen her in a role like this, but I don’t think she could pull it off.
Going back to the warrior thing, Selena is so petite, that I would have trouble believe she overpower Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss.
Also, I have a hard time seeing Selena being ok with playing a character who strips naked in one of the first scenes the Johanna appears in. Just saying.
The last thing is age. Selena is 19 years old and Johanna is described as being young twenties. Pretty close, but Selena doesn’t look at all young twenties. (I feel her pain, truly) I don’t think she would fit because she looks to young for the role.
Damon: Sarah does a great job with her thoughts of Selena Gomez as Johanna, but let me add a few of my own
You know we know that Johanna wins her first game by pretending to be a weakling and a coward. When I think of weakling in relation to the games I could also think petite, for which Selena could pull off. The problem is that Johanna is also from the lumber district and her weapon of choice is an axe. So I think she has to be pretty buff to pull that off so I get a bit confused on how they will portray that.
I agree with Sarah on the fact that I just don’t see Selena as a warrior, and Johanna was a warrior without a doubt. I think Selena could pull off the acting part of playing that roll of an older sibling or as Katniss describes it an older sister who hates you fine to Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss it is just the physical part that does not work for me. I would also have a tough time seeing Selena cut out a tracker from Jennifer’s arm. Selena is just too sweet (from her other roles) for me to buy in. Now maybe Spring Breakers changes that.
We will be looking at other actresses for this roll and other rolls going forward. So what are your thoughts on Selena Gomez playing Johanna in the next Hunger Games movie Catching Fire?
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Mrs. Rachel Pena
April 3, 2012 at 2:48 pm
That would be AWESOME!! I just saw the hunger games yesterday and I’m reading catching fire and I really wanna see catching fire!! Go Selena I’m a Selenanator!! Yay! Selena you better see this comment
Jules
April 3, 2012 at 3:40 pm
No….just no. I like Selena, decent actress (although she mugs a little too much) but, it would require an actress that is not only up to the physical demands of the role but…the ACTING. Jennifer Lawrence is an Oscar nominated actress, a serious actress and I’m not sure Gomez could hold her own against Lawrence. Please don’t freak out (LOL) I mean no disrespect. It’s just that after watching Lawrence totally command the screen, act circles around Hemsworth (although I do ADORE Josh Hutcherson and thought he did a good job.) and carry the entire film, I believe an actress who has the chops should play Johanna because, like Katniss, she is also a damaged, complex character. Mia Wasikowska (sp.?) from Jane Eyre, The Kids are Alright, Albert Nobbs for example, seems a better fit.
Sarah
April 3, 2012 at 3:42 pm
I agree, I don’t think she has it in her. She is as you said a decent actress, but she could not hold her own when up against Jennifer Lawrence.
Jules
April 3, 2012 at 3:48 pm
An actor should not just be cast just because they have the same hair color, eye color (LOL!!) they have to be able to act as well. I think Selena Gomez needs to prove herself as a serious actress a little more before taking a part in a franchise that’s worth a boatload of money.
Mrs. Rachel Pena
April 3, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Thank you for changing my mind I never thought about it that way
Suua P.
April 3, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Absolutely Not! Find someone else!
Billy
April 3, 2012 at 6:59 pm
I don’t think she would strip naked but I do wish she would
Nikki
April 3, 2012 at 7:19 pm
I’m a fan of Selena, and I love the Hunger Games but I personally don’t see Selena as Johanna. Mostly because I think she doesn’t look old enough. I don’t think it has anything to do with how Selena is as a person because she’s playing a character, not herself, surely to be a good actress you have to convince everyone else that you’re that character and it would be good to play someone completely different. I think someone older should play Johanna!
Dee
April 3, 2012 at 8:33 pm
NO. They cannot cast actors who are to well known for other stuff.
Bee
April 3, 2012 at 10:33 pm
I don’t think she would be good, i think they need to use an older acctress, and someone who is not known for…
Bee
April 3, 2012 at 10:34 pm
She just isn’t the right acctres for her.
graygray
April 4, 2012 at 4:20 am
ELLEN PAGE FOR JOHANNA. SHE IS PERFECT.
Mel
April 4, 2012 at 9:19 am
I think people sell her acting abilities short and want to type-cast her. I think she could play the role if people would approach it with an open mind. I do, however; feel that she would pass on the role because of the nudity. Although thru the magic of strategically placed camera shots the scene could be shot with the appearance of her stripping down without ever showing her nude, so it is possible. She has already said she would be willing to cut her hair like Vanessa did for a role if she was passionate about it. Her under-age looks could actually be worked to the characters advantage. Think about it, it would be challenging, but if a good actress isn’t challenged it is hard for them to breakout and become great.
Tl
April 4, 2012 at 11:17 am
No, it wouldn’t be the same without the original Katniss. I hate when movies change actors. The other Katniss (I don’t know what actor she is) is PERFECT for the part already
Sarah
April 4, 2012 at 11:18 am
We aren’t talking about changing the actress for Katniss so no worries there. =] We are wondering who will play the character of Johanna in Catching Fire.
Claire
April 4, 2012 at 12:24 pm
If this goes through I will cry! Just because she looks like the character and has only some of the same features does not mean she would fit the part at all personality wise. Gomez is a Disney joke and would shed a terrible light on Catching Fire.
C.Denis
April 4, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I disagree with casting Selena Gomez as Johanna. It just wouldn’t work. I found this cast list on imdb: there are very good suggestions on it- they also seem realistic casting options. http://www.imdb.com/list/FpJDA9Bs4xQ/
Meme
April 4, 2012 at 6:42 pm
F*** OFF SHE ROCKS!!!! SHE ROCKS LET HER BE!!!!!!!!
Lily
April 5, 2012 at 6:43 pm
I think Demi would be so much better for that role.
Jeff
April 5, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Yeah I think so too. Selena seems too fragile. I feel like she can break in half with 1 poke. However I don’t know if Demi would want to. It would suit her well though. With hard work and training she can really pull this off.
DianaK
April 5, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Omg no more selena plz. She seems like a great girl but no just no. Im not even a demi fan and id rather her a thousand times over.
Carlota
April 7, 2012 at 11:47 am
No, please ! I don’t like Selena.. I imagine Johanna more explosive…older than selena…
Jo
April 10, 2012 at 3:15 pm
I think Demi would be so much better for that role.
No, please ! I don’t like Selena.. I imagine Johanna more explosive…older than selena
Ale Mellark
April 15, 2012 at 2:36 pm
NOOOOOOOOO, she’s good, but not enough!
Ale Mellark
April 15, 2012 at 2:37 pm
I don’t like heeeer! She CAN’T be Johanna!
@Its_MarionCyrus
April 21, 2012 at 3:41 pm
NO WAY!
@Its_MarionCyrus
April 21, 2012 at 3:42 pm
nooooooooooooo.
Hey
June 13, 2012 at 5:43 am
No, Victoria Justice will totally kill that johanna part. She’ll do it great
tiffany
July 11, 2012 at 10:35 pm
i think selenas a good actress but shes not meant for the role of johanna mason