Today it was confirmed that Jena Malone is very close to signing for the much anticipated character Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire!

This contradicts a report last week from Deadline which indicated that Zoe Aggeliki was in the lead. From THR:

Malone has the offer and is in early negotiations for the part, according to sources. The move nixes premature reports that pegged newbie actress-model Zoe Aggeliki as the frontrunner to play the ax-wielding former Hunger Games winner from District 7.

Both Deadline and THR are very reputable, so we suspect Lionsgate may’ve been deeply considering both, but ultimately Malone may end up with the spot.

Catching Fire hits theaters November 22, 2013.