By Zanub Saeed
The most coveted role for the second installment of "The Hunger Games" series, that of character Finnick Odair, may just have gone to 'Snow White and the Huntsman" actor, Sam Claflin, reports Variety.
Though Lionsgate films are remaining hush about the casting of Finnick for "Catching Fire," the second movie in "The Hunger Games" series, sources have told Variety that Claflin was chosen to play the character for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," which is set to begin production this fall.
Along with Claflin, Oscar-winner Melissa Leo and Emmy-winner Tony Shalhoub might join Claflin in "Catching Fire," where they would play Mags and Beetee, respectively. Variety noted that Leo is currently on the short list for the elderly character of Mags, though her representatives were told that she will not be getting the part. Shalhoub, on the other hand, is still up for the role, according to those involved with the project.
Claflin is very nearing an offering of the role, noted Variety, though Lionsgate and his representatives have not made any comment on the casting. Finnick is one of the youngest characters in the book series by Suzanne Collins to become a tribute for the deadly Hunger Games, and becomes an ally to lead Katniss Everdeen, played in the saga by Jennifer Lawrence.
Returning to the "Catching Fire" cast, with Lawrence, are Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, and Donald Sutherland. So far the only actors officially announced for the second film, via Lionsgate, are Oscar-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amanda Plummer.
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" will be released in theatres November 2013.
