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Hedlund, Hammer or Kitsch Could Play Finnick Odair in 'Catching Fire'
by Ethan Anderton
May 29, 2012
Source: E! News
There was plenty of death on the big screen when The Hunger Games hit theaters in March, and while a whole slew of tributes from the various districts of Panem won't be back in the sequel Catching Fire, with I Am Legend director Francis Lawrence filling in for Gary Ross, there's plenty of new faces heading back into the arena. One such character is that of Finnick Odair, a new competitor in the next Hunger Games, and E! News (via The Playlist) reports Taylor Kitsch (John Carter), Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy) and Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger) have been shortlisted for the role. Beware of spoilers from here on!
Again, just so we're clear, for those who haven't seen the first movie, or read the first two books, there might be spoilers from here now onward. We won't ruin any of the twists and surprises from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (the official title of the film), but in order to talk about this character, we have to talk about a bit of the story. So once again, if you don't want to know anything else, stop reading right now.
In Catching Fire, after Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) have become the first duo to win The Hunger Games, there's the threat of revolution as Ms. Everdeen's act to threaten suicide and deprive the Capitol of a victor has created unrest among the districts who are tired of the oppressive rule of President Snow. As a sort of punishment, the third Quarter Quell, a special version of The Hunger Games marking the 75th anniversary of the brutal tournament, the tributes from the district are decided to be pooled from the previous living victors. Katniss, Peeta and their mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) are the only ones from Distrcit 12 to ever win, at least two of our three main characters will be fighting to the death again. And the stage is set for another round of The Hunger Games.
But that means there are also a whole slew of other tributes heading into the arena again, and this time they aren't just kids. There are adults of all ages entering the arena again and new threats all around. One intriguing new character comes in the form of Finnick Odair, male victor from District 4 in the 65th Annual Hunger Games at age 14. Now in his mid-20's, Odair heads back into the arena, and he's got the deadly skills and charm to back up his uncannily good looks. It's this role that Hedlund, Hammer and Kitsch have been shortlisted for, and honestly, all of them fit the bill really well. Their names come after a wild rumor this weekend that Robert Pattinson was up for the role, but it turned out to be completely false.
After recently finishing the book, all I will say is that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will really kick things up a notch, and the action, suspense and story really get thrown into high gear. There's plenty of new faces to go along with the old, and an ending that will shock audiences for sure. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will begin shooting this fall (with an eye for a November 22nd, 2013 release), so the new cast members will be announced over the coming months as Lionsgate is hurrying to shoot the sequel before Jennifer Lawrence has to shoot X-Men: First Class 2 early in 2013. Thoughts?
35 Comments
1
Wow. WOW. CAN WE GET THE FAN'S INPUT INTO THIS CASTING DECISION, because Finnick Odair is pretty much everyone's favorite character. These are the whitest white guys in Hollywood. Let's get some POC. Like Jesse Williams. Hot damn, he might not have Finnicky hair, but that's why wigs were invented. I am not pleased. But I'm thankful Alex Pettyfer's name isn't in the mix, because then I might go Floridian and bite someone's face off.
fem!anon on May 29, 2012
2
Well the hunger games fans are pretty racist so yeah they are getting the fan input and casting the whitest actors they could find 😉
lolz on May 29, 2012
3
Yes! I would really like Jesse Williams as Finnik. It will be way more cinematographic ) and brighter!
Lisa on May 30, 2012
4
I agree Jesse Williams would be amazing. Although as i was reading the book I imagined Armie Hammer as Finnick, except his acting his blasé to me. I also imagined Zoe Saldana as Johanna
Sugar_Spice on Jun 1, 2012
5
Honestly, I would love it if Alex got the role. I don't know if he's a good actor or not (I'm 11), but he looks a lot like how I imagined Finnick. That's just my opinion though. I do, however, agree with you completely about the fan's input about the casting. The people that they have chosen make NO sense!
rue4eva on Jun 12, 2012
6
jesus christ jesse williams COULD NEVER be finnick! where is your taste?!
no, just no on Jun 14, 2012
7
Out of these three Garrett Hedlund would prob be best, Taylor Kitsch is too angry/serious and Armie Hammer is too Armie Hammer
HazedMind on May 29, 2012
8
I like Garrett or Taylor for this.
DJS on May 29, 2012
9
I would say Garrett Hedlund would be a great Finnick, he is really quite attractive and would fit the role quite well.
LEonard on May 29, 2012
10
I always imagined Kitsch when I was reading, so I'm all for him, even with his nonstop bombs at the box office.
Dalton Weaver on May 29, 2012
11
I HOPE & PRAY they pick Taylor Kitsch. He is such a committed actor and he is so.... freaking.... hot
Samantha on May 29, 2012
12
Yeah, he really set the box office alight with John Carter.
Max on May 31, 2012
13
JESSE WILLIAMS. End of.
Emma on May 30, 2012
14
For me "Fransis Lawrance" is Sufficient. Screen be catching fire at his presentce. But he must know that after this Marvelous Kick-Ass Action Adventure Unforgattable Sequel he better be get back on " I Am Legend Prequel " or " Constantine Sequel ". Not something like shit for elephant 2
Ehsan Davodi on May 30, 2012
15
I'm fine with any of them. Armie Hammer has proved himself a good actor, I liked Garrett in Tron, and I haven't seen Kitsch in anything but from what I've heard even though he's been in bad movies, he looked like he was trying and he wasn't a bad actor. So yeah, I'm fine with any of these choices
Clocker910 on May 30, 2012
16
hedlund and kitsch are black holes of charisma go with hammer he has range and charisma and a superior actor not to mention he is the exact age of finnick and has the height for finnick
Nelson Ortiz on May 30, 2012
17
I love the idea of Jesse Williams, but Taylor Kitsch would make my girl parts even happier. Just saying.
Teacherkid on May 30, 2012
18
Garett Hedlund or Taylor Kitsch would be best fit to.play Finnick, though I will be elated if Ian Somerhalder was cost as he was how I imagined Finnick while reading(:
Thaheera Odair on May 30, 2012
19
ian somerhalder would be a good finnick but i think armie hammer would be best out of all three hes the cutest
Dean camacho on Jun 4, 2012
20
taylr kisch would make a good haymitch
Dean camacho on Jun 4, 2012
21
I am totally with you on this one.... Armie Hammer will make a great Finnick
Chandlerine on Jul 4, 2012
22
I suggest that Oliver Jackson Cohen should be on the list. He is hot and good actor.
Alex on May 31, 2012
23
I'm not really thrilled with any of those three. Garrett would probably be my choice of those three though. Armie is a close second. Taylor does not fit the Finnick mold in my opinion at all. He doesn't have the Finnick charisma.
GloBug62 on Jun 5, 2012
25
I always pictured Jake Abel as Finnick
Zombiehampster on Jun 11, 2012
26
I think Jackson rathbone would be awesome as Finnick
Lucy on Jun 12, 2012
27
Kitsch okay.
Lacy! on Jun 14, 2012
28
no! i changed my mind, hedlund! i remember thinking he was so freaking hot in four brothers! omg omg omg
Lacy! on Jun 14, 2012
29
Chad Michael Murray would be perfect. Otherwise, Taylor kitsch!
Jsn on Jun 17, 2012
30
I pictured Chris hemsworth in my head the whole time I was reading the books
Sara on Jun 18, 2012
31
None of them would be a good Finnick! Remember he is supposed to be hot!
ilovethehungergames on Jun 23, 2012
32
OLIVER JACKSON-COHEN as FINNICK ODAIR. I saw his pictures on Facebook and Google. He is so Handsome, hot and gorgeous. He is tall. He is 26 yrs. old. Perfect age for Finnick. He is a great actor. I am so In-love with him when I see his pictures.
Dahna on Jun 23, 2012
33
chase crawford would be the perfect finnick odair!!!!!!!
Bree on Jul 9, 2012
34
Garrett Hedlund should play Finnick
Skittles367 on Jul 11, 2012
35
I can see Garrett Hedlund making the perfect Finnick Odair.
Kat on Jul 12, 2012
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