Which Actor Is Hungry for the Role of Haymitch in The Hunger Games?

The remaining Hunger Games role is about to be cast

By Ted Casablanca, Aly Weisman Apr 25, 2011 7:52 PMTags
Recognize the RevelerSipa via AP Images

According to a new report on Vulture, one lucky dude is about to be offered the role of Haymitch Abernathy, the remaining meaty role in the screen adaptation of The Hunger Games.

As we told you before, we think Robert Downey Jr., Gerard Butler, Brad Pitt and Hugh Laurie would all be excellent choices to play the part of the alcoholic mentor, and while the actor "being offered the role" isn't an obvious choice, we think he could be a solid pick.

Some hints: He gave us his best jazz hands in Chicago, he has repeatedly played opposite Will Ferrell and he rocked a major ‘fro in Boogie Nights. And the winner is...

Sipa via AP Images

John C. Reilly, who we hear is starving for the role!

So much so that according to Vulture, Reilly had been in talks to star as the sidekick to James Franco's Wizard character in Disney's Oz, the Great and the Powerful until he got word of The Hunger Games.

Although Lionsgate has yet to comment on or confirm this latest casting rumor, it could be one reason the Disney talks were stalled.

But not so fast, according to Reilly's rep, who tells us, "John does not have an offer. NY Mag never fact checked with anyone."

Doesn't have an offer yet. Keyword.

Regardless, we think Reilly could totally pull off the outlandish drunken mentor to Katniss and Peeta who later reveals himself to be deeply compassionate and intelligent. Reilly has layers, man.

Enough layers that we trust he can go from a mustachioed racecar driver with a Southern drawl in Talladega Nights to mastering the role of Haymitch, the only living person from Panem's District 12 to ever win The Hunger Games.

Let's hope Lionsgate is as hungry for Reilly as we are.