Only a few days until the much-anticipated arrival of Catching Fire, the second installation of The Hunger Games franchise based on the novels by Suzanne Collins.
In Part 1 of this article, we covered the main returning characters from The Hunger Games. In Part 2, we’ll sort out all the major newbies. So many unfamiliar faces — a few who will play key roles in keeping Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) alive, and far too many who want them dead.
Keep in mind that this time, all the tributes in the 75th Hunger Games are former victors who have plenty of killing experience and serious fighting skills.
Gloss (Alan Ritchson)
Gloss
The male Career tribute from District 1.
Also known as “Careers,” these tributes have one mission in life: to volunteer for the Hunger Games, compete ferociously and emerge victorious. They train their entire lives for the Games and typically come from the wealthier Districts 1 (luxury items), 2 (masonry) or 4 (fishing).
Gloss is one of Katniss and Peeta’s enemies in the 75th Hunger Games, along with his sister and fellow Tribute, Cashmere.
Cashmere (Stephanie Leigh Schlund)
Cashmere
The female Career tribute from District 1 and Gloss’ sister.
Cashmere and her brother have vengeance in mind when it comes to Katniss; it was she who killed both District 1 tributes, Glimmer and Marvel, in the last Games.
Unlike her soft, luxurious name, Cashmere will be hard as nails to beat.
Enobaria (Meta Golding)
Enobaria
Female tribute from District 2; winner of the 62nd Hunger Games.
Another Career, this one with bite — she became famous for ripping another tribute’s throat out with her teeth. After Enobaria won the Games, she had her teeth cosmetically sharpened into pointy fangs and inlaid with gold to make sure no one would forget her brutal victory.
Brutus (Bruno Gunn)
Brutus
Male Career tribute from District 2.
Another enemy of Katniss, the aptly named Brutus happily volunteered to participate in the 75th Hunger Games. He apparently just couldn’t wait to get back into the arena. Scary much?
His idea of fun being rather twisted, Brutus will be a dangerous foe for Katniss and Peeta.
Beetee (Jeffrey Wright)
Beetee
Male tribute from District 3.
An expert in electronics and wiring, he was given the nickname “Volts” by the other victors after he won his Games by taking electronic supplies from the Cornucopia and creating an electrical trap that killed the remaining tributes.
Beetee’s skills will be of significant use in Catching Fire.
Wiress (Amanda Plummer)
Wiress
Female tribute from District 3.
After her own victorious Hunger Games, Wiress’ mental health sadly began to deteriorate. Other victors knew her as “Nuts,” making her and her fellow tribute Beetee the odd duo of “Nuts and Volts.”
Wiress cannot communicate well with anyone other than Beetee, and the two of them become important allies to Katniss and Peeta in Catching Fire.
Mags (Lynn Cohen)
Mags
Elderly female tribute from District 4 who won her own Games about 50 years before.
The soft-spoken Mags volunteered for the 75th Hunger Games in order to save someone else from being reaped. Coming from the fishing district, she can make a fishhook out of almost anything.
Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin)
Finnick Odair
Male Career tribute from District 4 who won the 65th Hunger Games at the age of 14.
Finnick was mentored by Mags, so his love for and loyalty to her eventually earns Katniss’ respect. His physical prowess and fighting skills are extraordinary, but his good looks and popularity are nothing to scoff at in the arena — he received many gifts during the Games, including an impressive trident, which helped ensure his victory.
Johanna Mason (Jena Malone)
Johanna Mason
Female tribute from District 7.
Described by Katniss as having “a wicked ability to murder,” Johanna’s skills with an axe are fierce. Her anger at the Capitol and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) make her a good ally.
Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Plutarch Heavensbee
After President Snow killed off former Head Gamemaker Seneca Crane (mmm … berries), Plutarch Heavensbee got the job. Not surprisingly, there weren’t too many applicants.
What does this gamemaker have up his sleeve?
Got all that? Catching Fire opens November 22, but we’ll likely be seeing you at a midnight screening the night before.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
More Catching Fire on Cinephiled:
Know Your Peeta From Your Gale: Who’s Who In ‘Catching Fire’
Movie Review: ‘Catching Fire’
The Final ‘Catching Fire’ Trailer
8 ‘Catching Fire’ Movie Reviews You’ll Want to Read