Elizabeth Banks joins The Hunger Games

No sooner had we announced the casting of Rue and Thresh as the tributes from District 11 in The Hunger Games, Variety chimed in to add that Elizabeth Banks is also in line for a role.

Banks is in talks to play Effie Trinket, the flighty, airheaded, pink-haired escort of the District 12 tributes Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). Though Lionsgate will not confirm the casting news presently, a source close to the production has confirmed an offer has been made to Banks.

Though Banks is possibly not the obvious choice (comedic actress Kristin Chenoweth was perhaps born to play this role; it’s much like her performance as Glinda in the musical Wicked) I have no doubt Banks will make this role her own, especially in providing some much needed comic relief.

Effie perfectly represents the Capitol’s general opinion of District 12; she avoids the area at all costs except when her duties require her there. But as the Hunger Games begin she develops a newfound respect for Katniss and her position as her escort.

Discuss: Is Banks a good fit for Trinket?