Wes Bentley to play Seneca Crane in 'The Hunger Games'

"American Beauty" star Wes Bentley is set to join the cast of Lionsgate's highly-anticipated film "The Hunger Games," and he's scored a pretty juicy role.

According to Deadline, Bentley will take on the role of Seneca Crane, "the head gamemaker," who designs the fight-to-the-death televised Hunger Games plays a vital role in the lives (and survival) of Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson).

Bentley is most known for his role as Ricky Fitts in "American Beauty" and recently appeared in "Jonah Hex." Bentley is the third actor to be cast in one of the film's few adult roles. Elizabeth Banks will be playing Effie Trinket and Paula Malcomson will be playing Katniss' mother. John C. Reilly is reportedly in talks to play Haymitch.

"The Hunger Games" hits theaters on Mar. 23, 2012