Earlier this week, reports surfaced that casting for the role of Jace Wayland in the big-screen adaptation of Cassandra Clare's "Mortal Instruments" series was down to a handful of actors: Jamie Campbell Bower ("Breaking Dawn"), Ed Speleers ("Eragon") and newcomer Leebo Freeman. (No word on fan favorites Max Irons and Alex Pettyfer, though Alex's schedule continues to fill up...)

Following the news, Hollywood Crush readers passionately expressed their opinions on who should play the snarky Shadowhunter (as of this writing, Ed and Leebo are leading our "Who should play Jace?" poll). And with so much growing anticipation, we thought it high time we checked in with some of the experts, namely Cassie, star Lily Collins and our friends at "Mortal Instruments" fansites Mundie Moms and "The Mortal Instruments" Examiner.

Of course, it's no surprise both Lily and Cassie were loathe to drop specific names, though they both told us what they could about the ongoing casting process.

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With the cast of "The Hunger Games" movie almost fully rounded out, fans have been clamoring ever more loudly to know who will play the very important role of Cinna, the gifted stylist who transforms heroine Katniss Everdeen from a unibrowed tomboy into a glam-tastic, tabloid-ready killing queen. And we're pretty sure that Lionsgate knows about the clamoring—because they keep issuing casting announcements for every other role in the movie instead. Like this one, for instance: the news, announced on the film's Facebook page, that characters Portia (Peeta's stylist) and Octavia (a member of Cinna's prep team) will be played by Latarsha Rose and Brooke Bundy.

Seriously! It's like they're just messing with us!

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In the Cannes Film Festival entry "We Need to Talk About Kevin," Ezra Miller plays a teen who goes on a murderous rampage through his high school. It's a gritty, dark role—one of a couple Ezra has taken on of late. But now the up-and-coming actor is ready to cleanse his palate with something a bit lighter, yet still brimming with teen angst: the film adaptation of Stephen Chbosky's "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

Summit Entertainment confirmed to Hollywood Crush that Ezra will play Patrick, the brother of Emma Watson's Sam and friend of Logan Lerman's Charlie. We spoke briefly with Ezra about the film at Cannes, and he could hardly contain his excitement over the plum part, which he'll begin filming very shortly in Pittsburgh.

"It's fantastic," he said with a grin. "And that is certainly—the role is such a fun one. He's such a mischievous—and this gay boy, who's full of pride and full of humor and wit and just confidence. And it is—it's just largely a comedic role but with real actual heart. There's a lot of levity, which will be a nice break from the last two."

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The search for snarky Shadowhunter Jace Wayland is heating up! Three actors reportedly met with Screen Gems last week to screen test opposite star Lily Collins, who will play Clary Fray in the big-screen adaptation of "The Mortal Instruments" novel "City of Bones."

According to The Wrap, Jamie Campbell Bower ("Breaking Dawn"), Ed Speleers ("Eragon") and newcomer Leebo Freeman are all lead contenders for the love interest role. No mention was made in the report of fan favorites Alex Pettyfer (who recently signed on to strip opposite Channing Tatum) and "Red Riding Hood" star Max Irons.

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TGIF, ladies—and here's some news that'll make your morning! Deadline reported late yesterday that Alex Pettyfer, also known 'round these parts as His Royal Harbodied Blondness, has been cast in the ingenue role in Steven Soderbergh's "Magic Mike"—a film based on the real-life experiences of Channing Tatum—in which he and Channing will both play male strippers.

MALE STRIPPERS.
MALE STRIPPERS WHO GET NAKED.

No, we are not making this up. And obviously, this can only mean one thing: Somewhere out there, a Hollywood producer has developed the ability to read our minds AND made it his business to personally fulfill all of our most desperate desires like some sort of modern-day, mildly perverted Fairy Godfather. (Speaking of which, we would also like a pony, a date with Hunter Parrish and a year's supply of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Thanks, dude!)

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We thought wallflowers were supposed to blend in, but the cast of the film adaptation of Stephen Chbosky's "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is pretty much full of standouts. Yet another big name has been added to the cast—Variety reports that Dylan McDermott will play Logan Lerman's father in the film.

Logan's character is a "boy whose life dramatically changes as he learns about secrets buried deep in his past during his freshman year of high school" (and for those of you who haven't read the book yet, it's a pretty intense secret), so playing one of the parental units is a pretty tall order. Dylan joins Kate Walsh, who was announced as Logan's movie mom earlier this week.

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Cheers (yes, I went there) to Woody Harrelson who just landed the plum role of Haymitch Abernathy in the big screen adaptation of "The Hunger Games"!

The casting came as a bit of a surprise to fans who had all but accepted rumored contender John C. Reilly as the perpetually drunk District 12 mentor. We're pretty excited about the casting ourselves, but as the news continues to settle in, we checked in with some of our fansite friends, including Down With the Capitol and "Hunger Games" Examiner to get their expert opinions on the big announcement.

"Woody Harrelson as Haymitch is pretty much a total win," said "Hunger Games" Examiner Sara Gundell. "He was never anyone I pictured in the part originally. I mean, fantasy casting was always Hugh Laurie or Robert Downey Jr. It was not a name I ever expected to come out, but now that it has, I'm totally and completely in love with this idea. I think he's perfect for the part."

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The Reaping is complete.

All 24 "Hunger Games" tributes have been cast following the news today (via Facebook) that Alexander Ludwig and Isabelle Fuhrman will represent District 2 as Cato and Clove.

"Hunger Games" fans may remember Alexander as one of the handful of actors on the shortlist to portray Katniss love interest and District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark. The 19-year-old is probably best-known for playing Seth in the 2009 Disney flick "Race to Witch Mountain."

Fellow tribute, 14-year-old Isabelle, already has one conniving creepster to her credit: She played evil Esther in the 2009 film "Orphan." (Meaning "bloody thirsty teen" is nothing new for her.)

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If you thought there was something not-quite-right about the rumor that John C. Reilly was about to be cast in the role of Haymitch Abernathy in "The Hunger Games," give yourself a gold star. Because the official announcement is in, and everyone's favorite dystopian drunkard will be played by... Woody Harrelson?!

YES!

And we must say, this is very exciting. Woody's got a well-documented talent for bringing a dose of sly wit and outsized personality to otherwise bleak cinematic settings, and we didn't think it could get any better than his performance in "Zombieland"—but nevermind, because this tops it. (For those not in the know, Haymitch Abernathy is the hot mess of a mentor assigned to help Katniss and Peeta train for the 74th Games, offering some much-needed comic relief as the two teens prepare for near-certain death.)

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Well, I called it. Whether my prediction that District 2 would be reaped last stems from potent prognostication powers or an all-seeing eye on par with the Capitol's, I'll never tell. But suffice it to say, we have a new pair of tributes to welcome to the "Hunger Games" arena that are NOT from the weapons-manufacturing region.

Jeremy Marinas and Dakota Hood have been cast as the unnamed contenders from District 10, according to the film's official Facebook page. Like many of his fellow tributes, Jeremy has a stunt background, having appeared in "The Green Hornet," "The Expendables" and "The Mechanic." You may also recognize him from acting roles in "The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers" and "Community." Dakota's resume is much more sparse, with only one credit: "Scripture Cake: A Southern Cuisine Movie." Sounds interesting. (On a side note, a Google search of her name produces more images of Dodge automobiles than I care to peruse.) Although according to the YouTubes, she appears to be a budding singer.

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