Elizabeth Banks, ‘People Like Us’ Star, On Effie Trinket, ‘Catching Fire’

Summer | June 27, 2012 | 0 Comments More

So was it refreshing to see the script for “People Like Us”?
Yeah, it was an amazing movie. It’s always a gift, I think, when you read a script that takes you on a really great emotional journey like this one does. It was very cathartic at the end. It’s translated very beautifully to the screen, which was great. They’re little gifts because they’re really fun acting challenges, to play a real person and feel like you’re relating to the audience and that people are along for the ride with you.

So if the “People Like Us” cast were all tributes in “The Hunger Games,” and had to fight to the death, who would win?
Man, we would all be fried probably. You know who would win? Josh, the guy who plays my son, would probably win. He’s very wily, that kid.

Do you have any skills that you think would help you survive?
I think that Elizabeth Banks has skills, but Frankie has no skills. I mean Frankie, you know, she’s a survivor, and she’s a mama bear when it comes to her kid and she’s a great negotiator, so I feel like she could negotiate some good alliances. But ultimately I feel she’s very vulnerable. I think of Frankie as like an egg: she has a little shell on the outside, but she’s really mushy soft on the inside.

There was a tizzy over who would direct the second movie of the Hunger Games trilogy, “Catching Fire.” Are you upset that Gary Ross isn’t returning as the director?
No! I mean, Gary is on to do things that he’s really interested in. I think it was a mutually agreed-upon decision by all involved, and, so, great. There are no tears for Gary.

Some major new characters are introduced in “Catching Fire”: former tributes Johanna and Finnick. Casting rumors are flying. Is there anyone in particular that you’re lobbying for?
I’m gonna trust the process, because so far the process has been amazing and I think it’s yielded an incredible cast. The movie is so well-cast, and I’ll even throw myself into that mix. There’ll be a similar process and we’re gonna get a great Finnick and a great Johanna. And a Plutarch! Don’t forget! There’s so many great characters coming up
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