Elizabeth Banks Cast as Effie in Hunger Games

Sorry, Kristin Chenoweth: Elizabeth Banks is the new Effie of The Hunger Games.

The 37-year-old 30 Rockstar has been cast as the "maniacally upbeat" Effie Trinket. Effie acts as the District 12 chaperone for Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark (Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, respectively). Chenoweth had been a fan favorite to step into the role.

Hunger Games in talks with Elizabeth Banks, finds its Rue and Thresh

In other Hunger Games news, Ian Nelson and Kalia Prescott will portray the District 3 tributes. Joining the special batch of career tributes from Districts 1, 2 and 4, who look at the Hunger Games as an honor rather than a death sentence, are Tara Macken and Ethan Jamieson as the unnamed District 4 tributes.

Jack Quaid and Leven Rambin, who will portray District 1's Marcel and Glimmer, respectively, were previously cast, as well as Dayo Okeniyi and Amanda Stenberg as Thresh and Rue from District 11.

Are you glad Banks was cast for the role? Or were you holding out hope for Chenoweth?

The Hunger Games is set to hit theaters in March 2012.