Lionsgate has offered the role of gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee to Philip Seymour Hoffman for the highly-anticipated sequel The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. There is no word yet on whether the actor has accepted the offer, or if negotiations have begun.

Plutarch Heavensbee takes over as gamemaker in the 75th Hunger Games for Seneca Crane, played by Wes Bentley in The Hunger Games. In the Suzanne Collins novel, Plutarch tries to subtly show Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) that he is on her side, although he treats her and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) like any other Tribute in public.

Francis Lawrence is directing from an adapted screenplay by Oscar-winning writer Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine). We reported earlier this month that production will run from July through December in Atlanta, Georgia.