Lionsgate has picked the mother of its lead character, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Paula Malcomson (TV's CAPRICA) will play the mother of Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Prim (Willow Shields). In the story, Prim is selected to compete in the yearly death games for their District, but Katniss volunteers to take her place. The cast also includes Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark), Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne), Dayo Okeniyi (Thresh), Amandla Stenberg (Rue), Jack Quaid (Marvel) and Leven Rambin (Glimmer). Elizabeth Banks is in talks to play a flighty bureaucrat as well.

Based on Suzanne Collins' novel, the story is set in a future where each district of a divided U.S. sends two young competitors into a death match, which is televised.

Gary Ross will direct from a script by Billy Ray. Color Force's Nina Jacobson is producing.

The teen actioner is set for release on March 23, 2012.