Philip Seymour Hoffman has reportedly been offered the role of Plutarch Heavensbee in Catching Fire.

The 44-year-old actor is the top choice of bosses at Lionsgate to take on the part of Head Gamemaker after his predecessor Seneca Crane was executed in The Hunger Games, the first film in the trilogy. Plutarch, however, is also secretly the leader for the underground rebellion of District 13 in the movie which tells the story of a group of teenagers forced to fight to the death on TV for entertainment.

If Philip does take on the role, he will join the stars of the first movie including Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth who are on board to reprise their roles of Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark and Gale Hawthorne respectively.

Meanwhile, bosses are still trying to fill the role of Finnick Odair in Catching Fire.

Finnick is the victor of the 65th Hunger Games in the Suzanne Collins book trilogy on which the movies are based and his role is a vital one in the second novel. Film bosses are reportedly undecided about whether to go with an established name or launch an unknown with the pivotal role.

Shooting is scheduled to begin later this year with Francis Lawrence taking over the directing reigns from Gary Ross, who chose not to return to the franchise.