Rumor Control: Daniel Newman NOT cast as Finnick in ‘Catching Fire’

By Andrew Sims (@Sims) at 4:00 pm, March 28, 2012

Tumblr and various other parts of the internet were abuzz with word this morning that Daniel Newman was cast as Finnick in The Hunger Games sequel in Catching Fire.

We reached out to Lionsgate, who confirmed to us that this is not true. Catching Fire has not been cast yet.

The rumor started after Newman’s name was listed as playing Finnick on IMDb. The truth is, anyone can submit information – accurate or not – to the site.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on any and all casting information concerning the sequel in the coming months.

Had Newman been cast, would you have liked the decision?

View the latest articles in: The Hunger Games

TheOneAndOnlyCliche

No clue who he is, but that smoulder/frown is very off putting.
- Gary65
  
  Yeah he’s almost like a cross between Carlisle and Edward Cullen, isn’t he? lol
  - TheOneAndOnlyCliche
    
    EXACTLY. That’s exactly what he is.
Gary65

Apparently, this guy’s career is basically made up entirely of playing characters from literary works that tend to be vampires. He doesn’t appear to have been in anything that we can properly judge him to see if he can play Finnick so I dunno.

He seems alright, appearance-wise, for Finnick although I’m still hoping for Matt Bomer.
- http://twitter.com/Thomassholan Thomas Sholan
  
  YES YES YES Matt Bomer as Finnick would be amazing!
- Jelly
  
  Bomer looks nothing like my Finnick, but I wouldn’t oppose to him playing the part at all. I can see it.
segjbhwsardgfv

is it weird that i pictured the guy who plays Haymitch as Finnick? lol
- Gary65
  
  Woody Harrelson? Really? Woody’s a good looking guy but I think not as underwear model good looking as would be required to pull in a gift like the trident. Also, I’m pretty sure Finnick won his games within the last decade and a half. Woody’d be too old for Finnick.
  - Morsmordre79
    
    Yeah, you’re right. He was 14 when he won the 65th Games, so he was 24 in Catching Fire. Woody’s just a little past the point of being able to pull that off, I think. :p
- Mac
  
  wat
  
  er yeah its a bit weird but whatever floats your boat
- Guest
  
  I pictured Ryan from the Office because I was reading the book at the same time I was watching a marathon of the Office…..weird things happen when one reads books…….lolz
LCTerrill

Eew, no. I pictured a tan Ian Somerhalder, Tom Welling or Chris Pine. Someone older than Josh/Liam, and one of those freakishly-goodlooking faces.

Maybe Henry Cavill, but with his title role in “Man of Steel,” I doubt he’d play such a minor character in a YA film. He WAS the original Edward Cullen, after all.
- Sara848
  
  Oooo Chris Pine I like that.
- Kristenzayon
  
  Chris Pine is gorgeous enough, but maybe too old.
  - LCTerrill
    
    No way! He’s 10 years older than Jennifer–perfectly in the age range of the characters in the books. (Katniss is 17, Finnick 24)
Lexi

who
Morsmordre79

Erm…no. For me, Chris Hemsworth was always Finnick, but then his brother got cast as Gale (which was fine! Perfect casting!) Alas, I’ve had to reassess my Finnick. This guy isn’t it. He looks too…pretty. And not in the way that Finnick is supposed to be pretty.

I have it narrowed down to Jensen Ackles and Kevin Zegers. Both handsome, both strong-looking, and both underrated, talented actors that are known but not *too* known.
- Jelly
  
  Jensen is starting to look “old” though. A few years ago I’d agree. I could deal with Kevin Zegers playing the role, I think. It would work for me.
  - QuaffleRose34
    
    but perhaps Finnick is supposed to look way older than he is by Mockingjay…. i can’t believe I never thought of Jensen as Finnick! I’d take it. :)
    - Whitewatergirl
      
      I agree. Finnick is probably older than Katniss and Peeta. I think if he did grow his hair out a little, it would work. Oh, I want to start a fan page for this now! Never done it before, but this could be the thing to get me started on one!
  - Morsmordre79
    
    He is a little, but if he grows out his hair a little I think he’d look young enough. To me, getting someone who can nail Finnick’s suave-yet-tough-yet-vulnerable nature is what’s important, and after watching Supernatural for years, Jensen could totally do it, I think.
    
    But I’m so glad someone agrees with me about Kevin Zegers! I can’t believe how little he’s been mentioned. Not only does he look perfect (bronze-ish hair and all,) but he can definitely act.
  - Kristenzayon
    
    Kevin Zegers would be great if he were bigger, but he’s barely bigger than Josh Hutcherson.
- TheOneAndOnlyCliche
  
  HA. Never thought of Jense- WAIT. What about Misha Collins? WHOO boy, that man could pull it off, age handicap or no (although I don’t think he’s THAT old). Handsome devil like himself. He sure is diverse enough.
  - Morsmordre79
    
    Misha was actually one of my original choices for Cinna, believe it or not, lol.
    - TheOneAndOnlyCliche
      
      Misha Collins’ charisma is a without-a-doubt NECESSITY for Finnick…
- Whitewatergirl
  
  I agree with you on Jensen Ackles. I am such a huge fan and have been since his very first acting gigs. Plus he has won a daytime emmy and not only does he have the amazing charisma BUT ALSO the emotional depth to pull it off! I would really LOVE to see him play Finnick! And with acting chops like those, I feel he could hold his own with the rest of the cast.
  - Morsmordre79
    
    This is exactly my reasoning for him. Not to mention he’s gorgeous… :p
- Gary65
  
  What about Matt Bomer?
  - Sylvia
    
    Bomer!! Great call.
    - http://profiles.google.com/traveltheworld99 Nymphadora Macias
      
      noooo not matt bomer.
      - Gary65
        
        Why not? MAtt Bomer’s awesome.
  - sugarcubes
    
    MATT BOMER. Exactly how I pictured Finnick.
  - Kristenzayon
    
    Too old! He’s 35 and Finnick’s supposed to be around 25.
    - Gary65
      
      Finnick’s 24.
      
      What difference does that make? Jessica Parker Kennedy from Secret Circle is 30 and she plays a 16 year old. Woody Harrelson is 50 and Haymitch is 40. Age isn’t that big a deal. So long as the age gap isn’t huge(someone said they always saw Woody as Finnick lol), the actor is hot as hell and they can act really well(all of which apply to Matt Bomer), you’re golden.
    - ducky
      
      I don’t know the actor but 35 I think that someone from 30-35 would be good as Finnick because you have to remember that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are much older than they were supposed to be in the book (21 and 19 respectively) so they will have to age up Finnick and Johanna (who were described to be in their early twenties) a bit so that they don’t all look the same age.
  - Morsmordre79
    
    Eh, a lot of people have been suggesting him but he doesn’t work for me. I can’t really pinpoint an exact reason why, though. Perhaps it’s because I personally don’t find him very attractive. Who knows.
    - Gary65
      
      What difference does that make? I’ve never found Grant Gustin attractive but, if he gets the part, he gets the part. There is no one person on Earth who the entirety of humanity is going to find attractive. No matter who they pick, someone’s not going to think they’re good looking so there’s little point in saying someone can’t play Finnick just cos you’re not attracted to them.
      
      Personally, whether or not they can act and carry Finnick is more important than whether I find them personally attractive or not.
      - Morsmordre79
        
        Precisely why I suggested Ackles and Zegers to begin with. They can act. They can be both ridiculously funny and insanely deep.
        
        And obviously not everyone is going to think the person cast as Finnick is attractive, and perhaps “attractive” was the wrong word for me to use. What I really meant was that I don’t think Bomer looks right for Finnick. Several people have said that they think my suggestion for Ackles isn’t a good one because he looks “too old.” Well, I think Bomer looks too old. Obviously, playing the part well is key, but the person has to look right for the part, too. There’s no getting around that. Older people play younger people all the time…when they can pull it off. I personally think Bomer is passed the point of being able to play a 24-year-old.
        
        You don’t need to get defensive just because my opinion differs from yours. Relax.
      - Gary65
        
        I wasn’t being defensive. Just making a point.
        
        I don’t think Ackles would work for Finnick either. Not cos of his age. I think he wouldn’t work because he looks like a lumberjack and Finnick is supposed to be a fisherman. He’s too butch(for want of a better word) for Finnick. There’s a big difference between the captain of the swim team and the quarterback.
        
        Plus, his accent would be an issue. I don’t know how good Jensen Ackles is at changing his accent but he’ll need to. I do NOT want to hear Finnick with a Texan accent.
- IT
  
  Jensen is too old and doesn’t really have the build for it…
- sugarcubes
  
  Jensen Ackles! if only they would.
John88

How about Randy Wayne for Finnick?
TheGarBar13

Zac Efron please!
- Jason
  
  Really..? Lmao.
- Shae
  
  Please no
  - moonshoespotter1712
    
    Why not? He’s definitely good looking enough, and he’s a very decent actor.
    - Sylvia
      
      Both of those things are untrue.
- IT
  
  No. Try again.
- Danielle
  
  Not gonna lie, I’m the first to hate on Zac Efron, but I actually don’t think he’d be a bad Finnick.
- Jelly
  
  I’m not a big fan of Zac Efron, but I actually don’t think he’d be a bad fit for the role of Finnick.
- Ducky 13
  
  I don’t see Zac Efron as Finnick AT ALL!!! Finnick was descriped as a strong physical specimen. Although Zac Efron is not weak or unstrong, he doesn’t have the broad shoulders and overall buff figure that I believe Finnick should have.
- http://twitter.com/greeneggsplusam Sam
  
  I love Zac, but he’s no Finnick
Firenze

For me, I see Jeremy Irvine from War Horse as Finnick. Him, Garett Hedlund or Freddie Stroma are who I can picture as Finnick.
jss

Paul Wesley!!!
- TheOneAndOnlyCliche
  
  Lord no.
  Nothing against the guy, but…well, yeah, I have a LITTLE something against the guy. It starts with ‘s’ and ends with ‘moulder’. I’m sure it’s just a mannerism he cooked up for his vampire alter-ego, but I’m still worried that Stefan-pout would work it’s way into a character where it has no place being – charmer that Finnick is, I can’t see that particular expression sitting well with the rest of the character.
Intellectual

Matt Bomer
http://twitter.com/CatosSword Cato

Garrett Hedlund
- Emily S.
  
  He is perfect for the role! He looks just like him and he has already proven he is a great actor. Grant Gustin btw would be a horrible choice as Finnick. Not bulky enough and his hair is bronze
http://twitter.com/CassiopeiaDrake Cassie Drake

lol that just reminds me of the whole “SOMEWHERE… BELLA’S STOVE IS ON!” thing from New Moon lol

Gotta be wary of user edited websites lol
blublu

I pictured him more like a Freddie Stroma with a dark blond hair
- Kristenzayon
  
  He would be good.
Rain

Joey Graceffa should be Finnick! (:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sofia-Thomas/100001117166893 Sofia Thomas

Finnick just needs to be incredibly good looking and has to be able to act. I’ll I’m asking for here! :)
Hermione06

While reading the book I pictured Heath Ledger… but sadly that cannot happen- he would have been absolutely PERFECT though =(
Claire

Armie Hammer for Finnick.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1683360003 Paige Barton
  
  YES YES YES YES
jp

joey graceffa?
Guest

NO NO NO NO HE IS NOT FINNICK
- Anon
  
  So much agreed.
The Boy On Fire

jake abel all the way lol
- RH
  
  I thought I was the only person who thought Jake Abel would be a great Finnick! I’ve been watching some of his interviews on youtube, and he totally has the Finnick charm : ) Plus he’s got that tall, lean swimmer’s look, which is how I always pictured Finnick (instead of being super muscular, like a lot of the actors people have been suggesting).
Grace

Grant Gustin as Finnick :)
Courtney

Grant Gustin NEEDS to be Finnick. He would be perfect.
Hotchix

No. He will not be Finnick.
Nor will Zac Efron you fuck.
Ella

Jensen Ackles for Finnick!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1683360003 Paige Barton

thanks for clearing that up. i was one of the ones that sent you that info and i’m really glad he’s not cast as finnick
Alina

Ultimately I trust Gary, Suzanne, and everyone to make the right choice. They have hit it out of the park with each and every cast member in THG, so I have faith in their CF castings.

Remember, many people were shocked that Jennifer, Josh, and Liam were chosen and now we love them all to pieces.
- http://twitter.com/JediShywalker Shylah
  
  Gary Ross is no longer involved with Catching Fire.
http://www.facebook.com/Panhead1922 Ande Anderson

Not near good looking enough. I still say Chris Evans. He’s got the looks, and I’ve seen him play both sides of Finnick.
Isenhobbitz

No one can ever live up to my perfect vision that is Finnick in my head. I will be disappointed no matter who is cast…..
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Diego-Hernandez/539018211 Diego Hernandez
  
  what about chris hemsworth?
  - NarniaPotterGoneHungerGames
    
    Might be a bit confusing as Liam (his brother) is Gale…..
Effie Trinket

Wait I donj’t know him, but according to the picture: NO!
http://www.facebook.com/TreeKisser Jessica White

I’m all for Garrett Hedlund…that’s who I pictured…plus he’s amazing…
shar

Too be honest, I decided not to pick an actor for who I want to play Finnick. I feel like when the entire fandom rallies behind certain actors, they’ll automatically be disappointed if those actors aren’t cast. Also, I feel like too much of the time, fans choose actors solely on their physical resemblance to the character. Yes, Finnick is very attractive, but more importantly, he has a lot of depth to his character, especially in Mockingjay. When it comes to casting, I feel that the actors’ ability to portray the character well is much more important than their physical resemblance. Just look at the backlash that happened when Jennifer, Josh, and Liam were cast (a big reason being that they were not what fans imagined the characters to look like). In the end, they all turned out to be great for their respective roles and pretty much everyone loves them. I trust Gary and Suzanne to pick the right actor for Finnick because they certainly showed that they knew what they were doing when they cast the actors for The Hunger Games. Just my opinion :)
- Sapph
  
  God, YES. I’m totally agree.
7Starrchasers

Armie Hammer!!!! Or someone less obvious…
- Kristenzayon
  
  He’s good looking enough and big enough and just about the right age. Plus he can act.
  - 7Starrchasers
    
    Exactly why I think he’s perfect!
Strikerk1615

Finnick should be black
RhennHGP

MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR!!!
James

Finnick must be older than Katniss and Peeta and it is very important he has larger,muscular body than Peeta as Finnick is described to carry Peeta in a few scenes..Would it be beliveable if Zac Efron carry Josh Hutcherson..NO..
I would like to see Henry Cavill as Finnick..he as the body for finnick
- LCTerrill
  
  Right?? I think he’d be great. He’s got the acting chops for it too–The Tudors, anyone?
  
  And remember, previous commenters, Finnick is approx. 7 years older than Katniss. He can still look young, but he needs to look proportionately older than Jennifer Lawrence and the guys. So Zac Efron and Grant Gustin are out.
  
  Garrett Hedlund isn’t a bad choice, though.
Charlotte

Joey Graceffa as Finnick!!! :D
Azeem

jesse eisenberg as finnick
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1683360003 Paige Barton

Hunter Parrish, anyone?
- Kristenzayon
  
  Too short. Needs to be someone taller than Josh Hutcherson.
ilovebeingpurple

Channing Tatum as Finnick. Done.
- http://www.facebook.com/ElisabetaLugosi.sha33 Jackie Langley
  
  Nope. Channing lacks the charm needed for Finnick. I like Channing Tatum, but he has “dead eyes,” he would be unbearable.
- Morsmordre79
  
  No. Just no.
  
  Channing Tatum doesn’t have the acting chops to pull off a character as deep as Finnick.
Kristenzayon

Alex Pettyfer is beautiful enough, but is he old enough?
- http://twitter.com/greeneggsplusam Sam
  
  Yesss
- Sportsjunkie10
  
  YESSSSS!!!!! i was totally thinking that!!!! he would be perfect. I think Kristen Bell could play Johanna Mason too.
- Emyrosa
  
  Alex Pettyfer doesn’t seem nice enough to play Finnick, tbh.
Alyssa

i would do anything for them to cast colton haynes as finnick, he’d be perfect!!
Ngozi528

Um, no, I don’t think he’s enough of a “hunk” or eye candy as would be expected of finnick’s character.
Guest

Looks like a Charlie weasley
Laura Jones

the guy from the MainStayPro mini series would be PERFECT!!
http://twitter.com/greeneggsplusam Sam

Well I’d never heard of him until this article but I just saw the picture and..wow! Finnick!
However, I’d like Alex Pettyfer. He’s a bit young though.
http://www.facebook.com/ElisabetaLugosi.sha33 Jackie Langley

Why not have Chris Hemsworth? He is a little older, but his personality rocks as Finnick! They could unite the Hemsworth brothers! hehehe.. and no, jesse eisenberg is a great guy, but he is not Finnick. Neither is Zac Efron… completely different look and attitude from Finnick… Armie Hammer is also not a bad choice, I could totally see him as Finnick.
- Morsmordre79
  
  Honestly, the first time I read the books, Chris Hemsworth was the person I pictured as Finnick. He’s got both the looks and the demeanor. But with his brother Liam as Gale, I don’t know if they’d cast him. They do have a bit of a resemblance. Plus, Chris will be filming Thor 2 soon, I think.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Diego-Hernandez/539018211 Diego Hernandez

TOM WELLING!!!!
Sportsjunkie10

Alex Pettyfer!!!!!!!!
leviosaaax3

GARRETT HEDLUND AS FINNICK. HE IS PERFECT<3
Ben Gianacakos

Alan Ritchson
Lauren

Benjamin Stone.
Skye H.

Hayden Christensen as Finnick Odair!!!!! He’s tall and strong and hot enough and he’s 30, which some fans may not picture Finnick being that old but I thought he was around that age in the books. B/c he was a victor from the past games.
- LitChick
  
  But he won at age 14, so he’s only 25ish by the Quarter Quell. Hayden Christensen is getting too old and frankly, I think he’s a terrible actor.
  - Bella
    
    Actually, Finnick is 24.
Shebehbuhly

Zac Efron would be so perfect as Finnick!
Martha

Doh. I’d decided I liked him as Finnick….
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594745593 Caileigh Marks

I think he looks the part but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him act so I’ll reserve my judgement. My pick is Chris Evans though (aka Captain America).
- LitChick
  
  Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think Chris Evans is all that attractive. Finnick is supposed to be the hottest man on the planet.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000008061767 Justine E Woodard

thank god
Liizzodvj

Armie Harmer IS Finnick
http://twitter.com/mwdickens2013 Mary Warren Dickens

GRANT. GUSTIN.
Suzie

No, I don’t think he looks like a good Finnick. But I will be fine with whoever is chosen. They have won my faith with the movie for Hunger Games.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=625092335 Lucy Brook

Am I odd to think that Ben Barnes would be a good Finnick? I can’t think of anyone else. but I don’t want Daniel Newman to get the role. I don’t think he suits it personally. He’s not.. cute enough in that Finnick way :P
- Anorien
  
  Ben Barnes? that makes the two of us….. he is specially charming and handsome and will definitely set hearts aflutter……
Gray Skies

I agree with the Chris Evans suggestion, he would be the perfect Finnick
Luna97831

FREDDIE STROMA
please?
Jennifer13

He’s BEAUTIFUL!!!! PERFECT as FINNICK!!
asrhfuiahwj

Joe Walker…. hihihihih ;D
Izzy Shearstone

Arnie hammar all the way as finnick, or jake abel, either one would be perfect
Shazdudett

i think kella lutz should be finnck. he’s hot and would make his role goofy and funny witch will draw more fans!
Bella

Does it sound rude if I were to say that Armie Hammer is too old to be Finnick? I think that Grant Gustin has the look for Finnick but does he have the acting capability?

Personally, I think that they should find some new talent, find someone that not everybody knows to be Finnick.
Lu

Armie Hammer all of the way.
http://twitter.com/Rebekahdg Rebekah

No, it’s a horrible idea.
Olivia

I google imaged him.. he would be a terrible finnick! Armie Hammer on the other hand, is PERFECT <3
http://twitter.com/hgfanatic Joan

Awful awful awful idea
Mongga_k

grant justin is too young looking in my opinion :/

i think zac efron got finnick’s eyes and abs, (not that he’s all grown up) but for the character, i’m kinda still unsure it would fit or not.

daniel newman is not how i imagined finnick to be like. at all.

all in all i think garrett hedlund, alex pettifier and ben barnes can suits finnick pretty well :)
ArmieforFinnick

No. Just no. Great way to get publicity and feed ones ego…but no. Armie Hammer all the way.
Siobhan Dawson

Seriously dissapointed I want Daniel Newman as Finnick Odair
http://twitter.com/heycricca catnip.

ALEX PETTYFER JHGFDSDFGHJK
http://twitter.com/heycricca catnip.

Or.. Daniel, Armie or Alex Pettyfer. gyufdisidjfhgfjdks
caye

HUNTER PARISH!! or alex pettyfer :))
the hutch

Stop with Alex Pettyfer. Everyone automatically signs him up as the big role in every friggin movie. Everyone wanted him as Peeta, but that didn’t work so he automatically goes for Finnick. I personally think they should cast a more experienced actor with the perfect Finnick look.
Leavey_r

I have looked up so many lists of potential actors and all of them had some sort of problem: Not good looking enough, terrible actor, not enough experience, too famous, too old. There is one actor who is old enough (27) who could pass for 24 has the looks, acting talent, and personality to be Finnick. Plus he isn’t all that well known so he won’t overshadow the movie with publicity:

Kevin Zegers
guest

Jeremy Sumpter is the only man who could play finnick.

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Rumor Control: Daniel Newman NOT cast as Finnick in ‘Catching Fire’

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