Actress Elizabeth Banks is reportedly in talks to join the cast of the anticipated film 'The Hunger Games', which also stars Oscar nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.
The film is based on a novel by Suzanne Collins and is set for release on March 23, 2012. 'The Hunger Games' are part of an annual televised event put on by the government, in which a boy and a girl from each district fight to the death. Lawrence plays heroine Katniss Everdeen.
The 37-year-old Elizabeth Banks has been tapped for the role of Effie Trinket, a pink-haired showbiz type, who becomes Everdeen's handler, The Hollywood Reporter said. The actress and the movie studio, Lionsgate, have not commented.
Others set to star in the movie include Jack Quaid, the son of actors Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, Leven Rambin, Dayo Okeniyi and Amandla Stenberg, the trade publication said.
Elizabeth Banks is known for her parts in films such as 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno' and 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' and also had a recurring role on the NBC comedy series '30 Rock'. She and husband Max Handelman recently welcomed a son, Felix, who was born to a gestational surrogate mother. Banks said she had battled fertility problems.
The star Elizabeth Banks most recently starred alongside Tobey McGuire in 'The Details', which aired at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Her next release is 'Our Idiot Brother', which co-stars Paul Rudd and Zooey Deschanel and is set to hit theaters on August 26, 2011.
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