The Hunger Games

Want to own a limited-edition piece of 'Hunger Games' merchandise now that the first film in the lucrative franchise is heading to DVD? You better be ready to break open your bank account.

Lionsgate is not messing around when it comes to 'Hunger Games' news today. To add to the casting of Amanda Plummer and the shortlist of actors' names for the upcoming sequel 'Catching Fire,' we've got news that the studio is already looking for a director for the final installments of the franchise.

And the 'Hunger Games' sequel news has officially started rolling out with as much regularity as the daily mail delivery. The latest: Lionsgate's shortlist of talent includes Melissa Leo, Tony Shalhoub, and possible contender for the role of Finnick Odair -- Sam Claflin. Sam who now?

August has a wealth of titles hitting DVD and Blu-ray, from family-friendly titles like 'The Lorax' and 'The Hunger Games,' to darker, critically acclaimed adult fare like 'The Raid,' 'Kill List' and 'Headhunters.' Read on for this month's home video release dates.

Lionsgate will follow in the footsteps of the successful 'Harry Potter' and 'Twilight' franchises by splitting 'Mockingjay' -- the final story in the 'Hunger Games' trilogy -- into two parts.

After a lot of rumors about who was getting the role, it now appears official that Jena Malone has been picked to play Johanna Mason in the 'Hunger Games' sequel 'Catching Fire.' But will she get naked onscreen?

Time to pack it in, Jena Malone. It looks like newcomer Zoe Aggeliki is giving Malone a run for her money for the role of Johanna Mason in 'The Hunger Games' sequel. But who is this Zoe Aggeliki anyway?

There's a whole lot of 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' casting rumors going around, and at this point it's hard to say what's real and what isn't. Though they listed a number of Hollywood hunks, Finnick Odair has yet to be cast, nor have we heard if Philip Seymour Hoffman is officially on board. But the latest word is that Jena Malone is up for the role of Johanna Mason.

Though no actor has been locked down for any of the new characters entering 'The Hunger Games' sequel 'Catching Fire,' there's been an awful lot of rumoring about who's joining the cast. The latest word is that Mia Wasikowska and Zoe Aggeliki are up for the role of Johanna Moore.

Franchise films often cast great actors for small roles. It usually means a big payday for the actor, and it gives the film more credibility. So it's no surprise that 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' has offered a role to Philip Seymour Hoffman. But he'd also have to sign on for the sequel...