Casting Fire: Fancasting Kristen Bell as Johanna Mason

Last weeks Casting Fire editions proved very popular, so we’re back for Week 2 of our ‘Catching Fire’ fancasts! This Tuesday we’re talking about potential Johanna fan-favourite, Kristen Bell!

Kristen has been campaigning for the role, and is such a fan she even had a Hunger Games themed birthday party, but do you think she can play Johanna? Read on for our thoughts.

Beth

When I read the books, I didn’t picture Kristen Bell at all, but once I found out she was campaigning for the role (and that she threw a THG-themed birthday party), I hopped on board. Veronica Mars was mostly comedic, but she proved herself capable of tugging at your heartstrings in bits and pieces throughout the series. I think she could definitely play Johanna, and I think it’s important how passionate she is about the books, in general. No one wants it to succeed more than the true fans, so I imagine, as a fan, she’d give it 110%. I’ve got my fingers crossed for her.

Crystal

I’ve heard for the longest time how much Kristen Bell wants to be Johanna Mason and although I know her campaign to get attention for the role annoys some people, it doesn’t bother me. I’ve seen her in Heroes and I loved her combination of pretty spunkiness and I think she has the perfect amount of sass to pull off the role. She could totally play the weak act and then kick some serious ass. I’d be happy if she got cast as Johanna.

Erin

I have never actually seen Kristen Bell in anything, so I have no idea what her acting skills are like. However, I am impressed with how much she wants to play Johanna. If she does actually land an audition and she impresses Suzanne and everyone enough to earn the part, then I’d be more than happy to see such a passionate Hunger Games fan in the role of Johanna.

Sarah

I think that because Kristen is such a huge fan of the books and loves the characters so much, she would make a good Johanna just based on her dedication. However, I’ve only seen her in a couple of things and they lead me to the decision that perhaps there is someone slightly better suited to the part. I love Kristen’s work and think she’s a great actress, but since she is more well known for her work in comedies such as ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ and her glamour I feel that she doesn’t have the raw feel about her that I think our Johanna should have. She does have a range of work which does cover most genres therefore I have no qualms about her ability, she just isn’t how I pictured my Johanna.

Tash

I think its been great that Kristen has campaigned for the role, we need a Johanna who is as passionate about the story as we are, and really wants to own that role. I loved her in Veronica Mars and the few episodes I saw of Heroes, and as Crystal has said, she has that real spunk about her. The only thing I have a little trouble picturing is her pitching an axe so hard it shakes the cornucopia, but I am sure she could look deadly nonetheless. Kristen definitely covers off the looking weak aspect, then the strength as well as the vulnerabilities that Johanna displays and I would be very happy to see her cast.