Sam Claflin is new front runner for Finnick, Hunger Games.

[Baitball Blogger]

Sam Claflin As Finnick Odair? 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' May Have Cast Coveted Role (REPORT)

After nearly every young, attractive actor in Hollywood was offered up as a Tribute, has "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" finally found its Finnick Odair? British actor Sam Claflin has reportedly landed the coveted role, according to Zap2it.

Variety's Jeff Sneider confirmed that Claflin was on the studio's short list to play Finnick.

In a statement to HuffPost Entertainment, Lionsgate -- the studio behind the "Hunger Games" franchise -- said that it would not confirm or deny the casting rumors.

Should Claflin land the role, however, it would end months of speculation. "Battleship" star Taylor Kitsch was previously tied to the important part, but publicly quashed that casting rumor. Robert Pattinson was rumored for the role as well, before saying he wasn't involved. Actors Armie Hammer, Grant Gustin and Garrett Hedlund were also thrown into the "Catching Fire" mix.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/17/sam-claflin-finnick-odair-hunger-games-catching-fire_n_1680643.html

[fizzgig]

1. i think tony shaloub would be a great beetee

i need to go catch the first movie while it's still at the cheap theater.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Holy crap! How did I miss that!

The Shalouber! He can play any role and I'll watch him. Put him in a blonde wig and he could even play Finnick.

Thanks for the tip:

http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2012/07/hunger-games-catching-fire-casting-tony-shalhoub-nears-offer-for-beetee.html

'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' casting: Tony Shalhoub nears offer for Beetee

As Zap2it was the first to report, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" has found its Finnick in "Snow White and the Huntsman" actor Sam Claflin. Producer Nina Jacobson and Lionsgate have signed off on Claflin's offer, so now it's up to him to accept the highly coveted role that will feature prominently not only in "Catching Fire," but in the two "Mockingjay" installments.

It seems that our reveal opened the floodgates to more casting news. "Monk" favorite Tony Shalhoub is the frontrunner to play Beetee, an inventor who used his knowledge of electricity to help him win the games. He becomes essential to the rescue of the tributes from the Hunger Games arena.

Of course, Jena Malone has already landed the role of Johanna Mason. As for Mags, Finnick's fellow District 4 tribute, she has yet to be cast -- but Melissa Leo, who was on the shortlist, was recently informed that the producers were planning to offer the role to someone else. Leo's and Shalhoub's involvement were first reported by Variety.

http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2012/07/hunger-games-catching-fire-casting-tony-shalhoub-nears-offer-for-beetee.html

[Baitball Blogger]

3. BTW, I think they're thinking of Cicely Tyson for Mags.

Last sentence in this link:

http://laineygossip.com/Articles/Celebrity/21491/Details/23811/More-Catching-Fire-auditions-include-Catalina-Sandeno-Moreno