It’s official! Sam Claflin is Finnick in ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’

By Andrew Sims (@Sims) at 12:00 pm, August 22, 2012

This morning Lionsgate announced that Sam Claflin will play the highly-anticipated role of Finnick in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

The casting had been heavily rumored for the past few weeks after the information was first reported by Zap2it and Variety. “Charasmatic and clever, Finnick was a District 4 Hunger Games victor when he was fourteen,” writes Lionsgate.

Claflin’s other big credits include Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides as Philip and Snow White and the Huntsman as Prince William.

It’s been a very busy month for Catching Fire casting announcements. Confirmed newcomers are Jena Malone as Johanna, Amanda Plummer as Wiress, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch, Lynn Cohen as Mags, Meta Golding as Enobaria, Bruno Gunn as Brutus, Alan Ritchson as Gloss, E. Roger Mitchell as Chaff, and Stephanie Leigh Schlung as Cashmere.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theaters November 22, 2013.

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Whitney

FINALLY! Absolutely LOVE this!!
Jess

“Charasmatic and clever, Finnick was a District 4 Hunger Games victor when he was fourteen”
Notice how they didn’t mention handsome.
- http://www.hypable.com/ Andrew Sims
  
  You don’t think Sam is?
  - http://www.hypable.com/author/clayton10ify/ clayton10ify
    
    I would have preferred Alan ritchson as finnick, but whatever
    - Guest
      
      I agree
    - http://www.hypable.com/ Andrew Sims
      
      Oh, this guy? http://www.hypable.com/2012/08/09/catching-fires-alan-ritchman-our-9-favorite-photos-from-his-underwear-modeling-career/
Tori

No.
Guest

Disappointed
Glaciusx

At least it’s not Armie Hammer…whew. They really dodged a bullet there! I like Sam.
- Luna97831
  
  Completely agree.
- http://twitter.com/CherryVanillaAd Cherry Vanilla
  
  Yep! Agree.
Jess94

Looks aren’t bad. He is very handsome in my opinion. Can’t vouch for his acting as I have yet to see the new Pirates or Snow White :(
Whitney

And if I see one more person complain that he’s not blonde with blue eyes, I’m going to smack them with a copy of Catching Fire….
- Kathryn
  
  Especially because Finnick doesn’t have blonde hair or blue eyes… He has bronze hair and sea-green eyes.
  - Whitney
    
    Which is exactly why I will smack them in the head, in hopes that this fact sinks in quicker.
    - Kathryn
      
      Haha, maybe it will sink in through osmosis!
RH

I’m excited to see Sam play Finnick. I certainly think he’s handsome enough and when it comes to acting, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be able to play both the charming and wounded sides of Finnick. Can’t wait till they start filming and we start to get some on-set photos!
LotusCalm

Whoa, he’s actually sort of how I pictured him. That never happens!
Of course, it’s pretty much impossible to get a character completely right. I mean, I think there’s only so much an actor can do…
Ahhh, I want Catching Fire right now.
Danielle

I’m just offended he was in that atrocious excuse for a movie, On Stranger Tides.

He’ll be fine as Finnick.
http://twitter.com/potterfan92 Raina

I like him. I only saw him in SWATH and he was good. Can’t wait to see him bring Finnick to life :D
Arthur

It could have been better, but it could be a hell lot worse too!
Has anyone noticed that Beetee has not been cast yet?
- Gary65
  
  Yes he has. He’s being played by Tony Shalhoub.
  - http://twitter.com/twixie09 Lauren Gizzi
    
    That’s not confirmed, yet.
  - Arthur
    
    Well that was rumor, and there is been some hits and misses in the guesses towards the casting with this movie, so lets wait and see.
    Still in the hopes to see John Hawke as Beetee *huge Winter’s Bone fan here*
Liderc

Can’t say I liked him in The Huntsman, but that was poorly written, so maybe he’ll have a better shot in Fire.
- http://about.me/dshana Shana Debusschere
  
  He’s also in the Pillars of the Earth miniserie. He was really good in that one.
Zack

Personally, I don’t care if Sam looks EXACTLY the part. Make-up and movie magic can do the trick, as we have seen with Jen and Josh and Elizabeth Banks. What we need is an actor, and I approve.
http://twitter.com/twixie09 Lauren Gizzi

I’m so glad they’ve finally confirmed him. It could have been a LOT worse. I think Sam is really handsome, but I can’t vouch for his acting, as I’ve never seen him in anything, :/ But judging from I’ve heard, I think he’ll do an awesome job.

Don’t forget, guys, no one liked Jen or Josh before the first film, and look at them now. Everyone loves them. (: I think we should all reserve our judgement until we AT LEAST see a trailer.
http://twitter.com/emilyecstasyTM Emily Bryan

Looks alone, he isn’t my Finnick. But I’ll wait to see him in the film before judging overall :]
Elphaba Thropp

He’s the only one from ‘Huntsman that I actually liked. I approve.
Jael

About freaking time!
bethanny23

Based on looks alone, Im kind of disappointed. Finnick is supposed to be drop dead gorgeous, and I don’t really find him attractive.
But going by acting skills, which is more important overall, I can’t quite judge him yet. I’ve only ever seen him in Pirates so I’m not really sure what he’s capable of.
So I’ll hold off judgment for now.
- http://twitter.com/twixie09 Lauren Gizzi
  
  Well in regards to the “drop dead gorgeous” thing, everyone’s opinion of who’s attractive and who’s not varies. I honestly think he’s drop dead gorgeous, but I understand that others don’t see him that way. They’re not going to be able to find someone who EVERYONE thinks is that good looking. ;P
http://twitter.com/neusparschwein Sophia

I would not pay sex with him and he’s supposed to be the “most sought-after male prostitute” in Panem so… who the fuck did the casting
- Kate
  
  Or, you know, everyone has different ideas over who they find attractive. I think Sam is HOT and he’s a talented actor, which is the most important thing going into the role of Finnick. Maybe he’s the ideal for the people of the Capitol and not yours.
- http://twitter.com/aadnama Amanda Douglas
  
  Not everyone is going to share your opinion of what is attractive.
Rayeofsunshine

Pump-pump-pump it up!
Ev42

He looks pretty perfect to me.. I can definitely see him as Finnick. Super pleased! I liked him in Pirates and Huntsman, but obviously, Hunger Games will be a bigger role. I’m very optimistic, though, for sure.
Matthewhpg

I’d complain about his eyes, but I had my fill of that will Harry Potter.
- upper_westsider
  
  Me too. I care only about the screen adaptation and the performances. The rest is just small stuff to me.
- Kate
  
  Well, his eyes are green. Maybe not sea green but green…
C OL

Hello gorgeous. Can I be Annie? ;)
http://twitter.com/Jakkpf Jack F

Oh friggin hell…
http://twitter.com/aadnama Amanda Douglas

Yes! I have been waiting for them to make it official for weeks now. I think he’ll be amazing as Finnick.
http://twitter.com/RachelgurlFL Rachel Gay

i think he’ll be a great finnick
Normal iz Boring

yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and just cause he doesn’t look like YOUR finnick doesn’t mean he won’t be able to play him! does anyone remember that jennifer was not our katniss in the beginning!!!!!!!!!! btw! watch this video! what is better than kaleb nation AND finnick?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He6oElPfxPQ
http://www.facebook.com/gregory.allen.porter Greg Porter

“I don’t like him because I personally don’t find him attractive.” Dear gods, are you hearing yourself? Friggin preteen girls…
- http://twitter.com/ClaudioCatino CCMASTER_01
  
  Tell me about it.
Steph

I’m so glad to hear this is official; Finnick is one of my favorite characters. I’m just really saddened to hear people say such negative things about his looks without having seen him in costume or in the role. Give him a chance to prove himself, guys. He obviously had to have given a really good audition to land the part. All of the casting for the Hunger Games was great; it’s honestly one of the only casts where I love every single person in their roles. And remember how there were plenty of people complaining about Jenn and Josh based on looks alone? The acting is the most important thing, after all. Personally I think Sam is very handsome and will do the role justice, and I really loved his acting in Pillars of the Earth and Pirates 4.
- http://twitter.com/aadnama Amanda Douglas
  
  I’m paying the haters no mind. I know for a fact that everyone saying that he’s horrible for the part, will be gushing about how much they love him when the movie is released. Hahaha. It happened for Jen, Josh, Lenny, and Woody for THG.
http://xyue-mayx.deviantart.com/ Dreamer

Finally! I think he’ll do a good job, but of course I’ll wait to make my final judgement until I see the movie :)
http://twitter.com/CherryVanillaAd Cherry Vanilla

I like … yep, and he’s a good actor. He’s not super mega handsome but I rather have a good actor with good looks than man candy with bad acting skills … just saying …
guest

i absolutely loved him in pirates of the Caribbean, he was easily my favourite character
- Normal iz Boring
  
  me 2! when i watch it on dvd sometimes, i’ll just skip to his scenes! (i know i’m a loser, but so wut?) i fell in luv with him and his acting a long time before he was finnick and now i’m infatuated! ;)
guest

Okay, just realized that Donald Sutherland played Sam’s father in Pillars of the Earth and Jena Malone’s father in Pride and Prejudice. Can you say crazy coincidence or what…
Kreidy_b

He definitely doesn’t look like the Finnick I was imagining while I was reading Catching Fire, but I’m willing to give him a chance. Maybe he’ll surprise me and be amazing.
Monica

If his acting is as good as Jen, Josh and the rest of the cast from the first movie, he could look like an elephant and I’d probably still believe he was desirable. That being said I think he’s quite attractive! Yay for this finally being official!
Mrs Rachel_malfoy

i’m happy! ohmygosh i loved him in pirates of the caribbean 4! he is a good choice.
Katie I. Speralda

He doesn’t look like the Finnick (who is my favorite character) I had in mind when I read the books, but I guess I’ll wait until the movie comes out to judge. As long as his acting is good, I’m so ready to love him :)
Morgen71

GOOD.
Mayaconsuelo619

Should have been Garret Hedlund!!! Im gonna have to startr casting these things myself…
http://www.facebook.com/people/Diego-Hernandez/539018211 Diego Hernandez

any news on casting for beetee????
Taylor

I think he has a good base to play the role. He is a great actor, looks a bit similar to book Finnick and with a little movie magic I’m sure all the hatters will be swooning! True, Sam is not how I first pictured Finnick but looking back now they could’ve done a lot worse. I only hope he muscles up a bit for the role, otherwise, he’ll be great:)
http://twitter.com/ClaudioCatino CCMASTER_01

Yeah, they confirmed this a while back. Old news.

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It’s official! Sam Claflin is Finnick in ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’

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