Philip Seymour Hoffman in Talks to Star in The Hunger Games Sequel Catching Fire

Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman has been offered the role of Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games sequel, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, according to Deadline.com. The Lionsgate film will be directed by Francis Lawrence and is due to begin filming this fall.

Based on the novels by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games centers on teen heroine Katniss Everdeen, who uses her skills as a hunter to outwit competitors in a post-apocalyptic death match. The first film in the trilogy opened to huge box office earnings earlier this year and starred Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. Hoffman's potential role, Plutarch Heavensbee, is the new Gamemaker at the Capitol in charge of managing the obstacles the players face inside the death match arena. Plutarch is far savvier than his predecessor, and he plays a crucial role in the events of the series' second installment.

Hoffman received Tony nominations for Long Day’s Journey Into Night, True West and most recently for his performance as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. He won an Academy Award for Capote. His additional film credits include Almost Famous, Magnolia, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Moneyball and Doubt.