THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY (2014): Julianne Moore Confirmed for Film

Julianne Moore confirmed for The Hunger Games Mockingjay. The confirmed casting of Julianne Moore in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015) ends the speculation of whether or not she would play a character in the Francis Lawrence directed films. Julianne Moore will play Alma Coin, a character that plays a key role in the two films.

The press release announcing Julianne Moore’s casting in both Mockingjay films:

Lionsgate announced today that four-time Academy Award® nominee Julianne Moore (BOOGIE NIGHTS, THE HOURS, THE END OF THE AFFAIR and FAR FROM HEAVEN) has joined the cast of THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PARTS 1 & 2 as President Alma Coin, the leader of the rebellion against the Capitol.

Moore will star opposite Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth in the third and fourth installments of the global blockbuster HUNGER GAMES franchise, slated for release in November 2014 and November 2015, respectively. She will join new cast members including Natalie Dormer, Stef Dawson and Evan Ross.

In addition to her four Oscar-nominated roles, Moore has previously starred in CRAZY STUPID LOVE, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, CHILDREN OF MEN and last year’s HBO political drama film GAME CHANGE, which netted her an Emmy®, Golden Globe® and SAG Award®. She will next be seen in DON JON, SEVENTH SON and CARRIE.

On Alma Coin from the book (Mockingjay) the films will be based on (spoilers):

President Coin is described as being about 50 years old. She has grey hair that falls in an unbroken sheet to her shoulders, her eyes were a pale grey, described by Katniss as being like “slush that you wish would melt away”. Coin was described as plain, with eyes that could burn straight through you.

Coin was presumably raised, and served as the leader of District 13 and the rebellion. Due to Katniss Everdeen’s unique position as a symbol of rebellion to the districts, Coin had Katniss, along with Finnick Odair and Beetee rescued from the arena following the 75th Hunger Games, after Katniss destroyed the sheild surrounding it. This action effectively prompted The Capitol to bomb District 12. However, she was not able to rescue Peeta Mellark, or Johanna Mason. With Katniss safe in District 13, Coin was forced to cooperate as she recovered from her physical and mental traumas, although she was rather impatient. Like the other rebels, Coin needed Katniss to don the label of Mockingjay, and help fuel the Districts into rebellion.

Though she and Katniss were on the same side, Katniss strongly disliked President Coin because of her ruthlessness and hunger for power and absolute control. Despite her affiliation with the rebellion, she seemed even more ruthless than President Snow, since Katniss believed his explanations, but not Coin’s. Coin was willing to let Katniss die once she had fulfilled her duties as the Mockingjay, since she saw the girl as a possible threat to her power. Katniss believed her death would incite the rebel force to further Coin’s victory. Coin’s lust for power was such that she killed Capitol children and her own Medical Corps—with Primrose Everdeen amongst their ranks — to undermine Snow.

She was also very manipulative. According to President Snow, Coin’s plan all along was to let the Capitol and the other districts destroy one another, and then step in to take power with District 13 intact.

During the execution of President Snow, Katniss remembered the conversation she had with Snow and realized President Coin was behind Prim’s death. So instead of shooting Snow, she turned her single arrow from Snow to President Coin and shot Coin instead (partly to avenge Prim’s death). President Coin fell off the balcony as the people looked on in fear and horror. It is possible that she didn’t die from the arrow but from the fall itself. This resulted in Katniss being taken away and declared mentally unstable.

We previously published these The Hunger Games: Mockingjay articles: