Armie Hammer, Taylor Kitsch & Garrett Hedlund In The Mix For Finnick Odair In 'Catching Fire'

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by Kevin Jagernauth
May 29, 2012 7:27 PM
48 Comments

Well, with Robert Pattinson putting paid to rumors that he was in the race for the role of Finnick Odair in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," let the shortlist stories commence!

The folks over at E! have heard that Armie Hammer, Taylor Kitsch and Garrett Hedlund are "the top three names being bantered about" at the studio as they hope to lock down a casting decision this week. Whether that means formal overturns have been made or if it's all wishlist at this point remains to be seen, but it's an interesting bunch to be sure. Hammer is already a co-lead in next year's "The Lone Ranger" opposite Johnny Depp so joining the second installment of a franchise would be...odd. As for Kitsch, he's already seen two big movies with his name attached run aground -- "John Carter" and "Battlehship." So perhaps chalk this one up to the power of his agents for keeping his name being talked about, but if the offer comes his way, he might want to consider accepting it. Finally, Hedlund led "Tron: Legacy" without much fanfare but did show he has chops to spare in "On The Road" and of the three seems to make the most sense. But here's the thing...

...E! is also hearing that the studio might go with a total unknown. So what does this all mean? Nobody really knows anything. Lionsgate is staying typically mum as are the reps, so who knows? But what do the fans think? Are any of these guys a good fit for Finnick? Who would you like to see in the role?

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More: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Armie Hammer, Taylor Kitsch, Garrett Hedlund

48 Comments

| Reply
Gerly | June 12, 2012 3:13 AMReply

No! Not Armie, Taylor and Garrett. They look old. Finnick is 24 yrs. old. I also want Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Finnick Odair! He is perfect for Finnick. He is just 26. Handsome. I love his accent. His eyes. Everything! Oliver Jackson-Cohen should be on the casting list or as Finnick. If not, he could be Christian Grey. Fifty Shades of Grey.
Farrah | June 11, 2012 12:07 PMReply

Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Finnick Odair. Done and Deal. :) He look like Finnick. Don't just look at his pictures on Facebook and Google. Look at the way he act. Especially in the "Faster" movie. I also saw him doing the yoga. He is so amazing. WOW! Speechless. <3 He is so adorable.
Sandy | June 6, 2012 5:20 AMReply

Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Finnick Odair...
Sarah | June 5, 2012 7:21 AMReply

Yes Sam Reid would be awesome - can't wait to see him in Serena and The Railway Man!!!!
Simon | June 4, 2012 6:21 PMReply

It has to be Sam Reid - he is PERFECT!
Taylor | June 2, 2012 11:40 AMReply

I vote for Oliver Jackson-Cohen. He is definitely perfect for Finnick. They should add him on the list or if not. What about Zac Efron or Freddie Stroma?
Stephanie | June 1, 2012 5:15 PMReply

Ryan Kwanten or an unknown
Gale | June 1, 2012 9:35 AMReply

Hahaha!!! Yeah! It's so obvious but I agree. Oliver Jackson-Cohen is hot too. I search him everywhere. He is so handsome. He also looks like Finnick to me.
kindred spirit | May 31, 2012 5:59 PMReply

Sarah/Ashley/Alex/etc... commenting as "different" people in the span of 10 minutes does not make you clever... you are obviously a singular person and need to calm the f down.
Danna | May 31, 2012 11:45 AMReply

Hmmm... Hedlund or Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Finnick Odair. I saw the pics. So hot! Thanks for sharing/suggesting the name(Oliver Jackson-Cohen). <3 His my new celeb. crush.
Hayley | May 31, 2012 11:44 AMReply

Uhmm. Garrett is also okay to me. But I also suggest that Oliver Jackson-Cohen would be good as Finnick. I agree with the others.
faye | May 31, 2012 11:42 AMReply

Seriously?! I want to see Oliver Jackson-Cohen or Zac Efron in Catching Fire. :(((
Alex | May 31, 2012 11:40 AMReply

Oliver Jackson-Cohen would be great as Finnick too. :)
Ashley | May 31, 2012 11:39 AMReply

How about Zac Efron or Oliver Jackson Cohen?
Sarah | May 31, 2012 11:35 AMReply

Oliver Jackson-Cohen would be also great as Finnick. I agree with Lianne and Ally. I saw pictures of him. I saw him doing Yoga. See on Youtube. So hot.
Lianne | May 31, 2012 11:33 AMReply

I also suggest Oliver Jackson-Cohen. I also like Garrett too.
Ally | May 31, 2012 11:32 AMReply

I suggest that Oliver Jackson-Cohen should be on the list too. See his pictures on Facebook.
MyriamOdair | May 31, 2012 10:22 AMReply

GARRETT IS PERFECT FOR FINNICK!
Miranda | May 30, 2012 2:55 PMReply

Every one of these guys is too pale. Jesse Williams could work, but based on the book I pictured someone even darker.
Leni | May 30, 2012 12:11 PMReply

Ryan Kwanten please! or Jesse Williams, I could get on board with that.
A | May 30, 2012 12:10 PMReply

Armie Hammer for sure. Great actor. He can be charming and vulnerable. He'd nail that role down. His personality is very much like Finnick.
Daveigh | May 30, 2012 4:37 AMReply

I'm still holding out hope for Jesse Williams!
Kim | May 30, 2012 1:57 AMReply

We know Finnick is supposed to be hot. We know all that. But what a lot of people may forget (or haven't read...) is how damaged he is. I mean what the Capitol did to him messed him up. It probably was worse than the games. So I think they need to find someone who can portray the hot, but also the damaged. Him, Annie, and Johanna... they're all attractive, but deeply messed up. I read the book when they were casting Garrett Hedlund in "Tron: Legacy." So I pictured him. I think Armie Hammer is very good looking and can do the work. But I got the impression that Finnick was one color. Bronze. Hair, skin, eyes. Part of me would be good if not great if they cast someone of "not white origin." Maybe Panem's version of "Bronze God" is different from ours...
Paula | May 30, 2012 12:15 AMReply

Hayden Christensen!
lizzie | May 29, 2012 9:37 PMReply

Garrett Hedlund for sure for SO many reasons. He's got the charm, the right age/look, looks almost EXACTLY how I pictured Finnick [especially the hair of course], has the touch of humor, and so many other reasons. Plus, I think he did a remarkable job in the movies I've seen him in like Tron and Country Strong. He can even sing! I know that has nothing to do with Finnick but it just adds on another factor of why he's so amazing. He's got that badass quality like Finnick but is capable of being sincere and emotional and has proven in his other works that he can present the emotional depth that Finnick has. Finnick is such an important and wonderful character that it needs someone great. In the end, I'll be happy with whoever they cast because of their PERFECT casting in the first one so I have no doubt that Lionsgate will pick well with someone who truly deserves and understands the character and can do him justice. But I'm hoping for Garrett and have for at least a year... I'm just so excited to finally hear who may be him and hear who will be Johanna too! :)

PS- to all the people claiming they don't know who Finnick is.... why are you commenting then? I'm sorry but your judgement won't be as valuable because if you don't know who Finnick is or have not read Catching Fire (PLEASE tell me you've at least read THG! if not, go do it asap, it's worth it) then you obviously don't know what they're looking for in the actor whom is to play him. I'm just saying, you have to know who Finnick is to understand who can accurately play him.
PINOT | May 29, 2012 9:34 PMReply

GARRETT OH MY GOD I AM SOBBING
me | May 29, 2012 9:27 PMReply

HEDLUND.
SP1234 | May 29, 2012 9:16 PMReply

Exactly. Lawrence and Hemsworth are blonde but dyed their hair. That's called acting! LOL Hammer is the best actor of the three, but Hedlund would be a natural (might have spelled it wrong) choice.
Zack | May 29, 2012 9:11 PMReply

I'm still hoping for Jesse Williams. I know nothing about the character but the people it would piss off deserve to be pissed off.
Kayla | May 29, 2012 9:06 PMReply

I'd like to see Garrett. I've never seen any of them in anything, but I see Garrett as Finnick more than the others. He just has to know what a complex character he will have to take on as the handsome Finnick Odair.
SP1234 | May 29, 2012 9:17 PM

I think he can handle complexity. Have you seen Friday Night Lights?
Poppy | May 29, 2012 8:54 PMReply

Garrett for sure. Not only do I love him, I can definitely see him as Finnick!
Carrie | May 29, 2012 8:48 PMReply

GARRET! Or an unknown :)
ptj007 | May 29, 2012 8:37 PMReply

For the new characters, especially Finnick and Johanna, I'd prefer them to be relatively unknown actors but as long as they do justice to the characters I'm fine with any casting choice.
mary | May 29, 2012 8:30 PMReply

They should go with an unknown for this.
anonymous | May 29, 2012 8:25 PMReply

too old? Finnick was supposed to look much older than Katniss and Peeta, and plus, he is supposed to look like a man, not some hottie teenager. And Garrett is perfection. If you go on tumblr just UGH PERFECTION WITH GARRETT.
Kate | May 29, 2012 8:03 PMReply

Noooo! They look too old!
Nina | May 29, 2012 8:03 PMReply

garrett hedlund!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!

legit everyone on tumblr fantasizes him being finnick!
Dee | May 29, 2012 8:03 PMReply

Armie Hammer is 6'5 and we need someone with physical prowess for the role. Plus he needs to be a bit older them Lawrence/Hutchenson. He's also gorgeous and a great actor. Kitsch already said he wasn't interested, and Hedlund is all wrong for the part.
Dee | May 29, 2012 8:01 PMReply

Armie Hammer PLEASE!!
KG | May 29, 2012 7:54 PMReply

Why would anyone put Taylor Kitsch in another movie ever? And, Kindred Spirit, you're insane - Ezra Miller is deeply wrong for this part.
kindred spirit | May 29, 2012 9:02 PM

You're an awful person for calling a complete stranger insane. AWFUL. PERSON. I am so offended.
Pablo | May 29, 2012 7:50 PMReply

Ezra Miller isn't nearly old enough to play Finnick. He looks way younger than Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson and he's supposed to look like 6 years older.
kindred spirit | May 29, 2012 9:04 PM

I have no idea who Finnick is... I just saw the WNTTAK banner to my right and thought- well there's someone who doesn't look like the other three! All three of these dudes look alike but Hammer has at least proven he has the acting chops. I don't mind the other dude... but like I said, they all look alike/nothing special about them talent wise (so far)... lets go with someone left field.
Dan | May 29, 2012 7:44 PMReply

I'd be absolutely stunned if they don't pick an unknown for this.
kindred spirit | May 29, 2012 7:36 PMReply

Why not Ezra Miller? Just because he isn't blonde, blue-eyed and beautiful doesn't mean he can't act/slap on the prosthetics!
kindred spirit | May 31, 2012 6:01 PM

No I am not kidding and wherever you got the "racist" interpretation from reflects a lot more on you than me. Those 3 dudes do look exactly alike and someone left field could use a chance... there is such a thing as hair dye/colored contacts if said character has to retain a certain "blue eyed-blonde" aesthetic about him.
Anon | May 29, 2012 9:20 PM

You're kidding me, right? Don't make a comment making it seem as if those characteristics are bad, especially when that is exactly how the character is described. The books and movies have not been racist, and the actor cast should be exactly as described in the book. If you didn't know who Finnick was why would you write such a condescending comment?