I liked this trailer a lot. They managed to keep a lot of the mystery, but still give you an idea of where the story is going. It looks like Francis Lawrence isn’t using as much shaky-cam as there was in the first movie, which is great. I have high hopes for this one.
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Tag Archives: Catching Fire
Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have a Finnick.
Sam Claflin has been cast as Finnick Odair in ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.’ Claflin is coming off of a supporting role in ‘Snow White and The Huntsman’ and being the guy who’s not Orlando Bloom in the newest Pirates film.
I said months ago that I wanted a lesser known actor for the part, someone that could get immersed in the role with you looking at him and seeing only Finnick. I personally read Finnick a bit older, but the movie series is trying to get girls excited about cute guys not about a strong female lead.
I know most of you have read the books. Thoughts on the casting?
Hunger Games Casting is Catching Fire
Now that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has cast Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch and Jena Malone as Johanna (which is perfect in my opinion), it appears as though the rest of the dominoes are starting to fall into place.
It is being reported that even though everyone from Taylor Kitsch to Garrett Hedlund had been in the running for the role of fan-favorite Finnick Odair, it looks like Sam Clafin is getting the offer. Clafin has already been in two big budget films (Pirates 4/Snow White and the Huntsman), but was never really one of the focal points. The role of Finnick in this film is a relatively meaty one, and based on his look, I think this is something he can pull off.
In even better news it looks like veteran character actors Melissa Leo (fresh off a hilarious turn in last weeks Louie) and Tony Shaloub have also been offered the roles of Mags and Beetee respectively. If they accept this franchise will have an interesting mix of younger untested talent and seasoned veteran actors, none of which command a crazy paycheck. While I am not crazy about the rushed production schedule, it looks like Francis Lawrence and Lionsgate are putting together a world that will rival some of the great sci-fi franchises of the last 30 years.
I’m excited to see how it all plays out.
Kevin Nash & The Big Sexy Screen Renaissance
Kevin Nash is one of the most popular professional wrestlers of the mid to late 90’s and early 00’s. He was apart of many major storylines and was awesome. In his career he’s dabbled in films as Super Shredder in TMNT2 and as an evil guard in Adam Sandler’s The Longest Yard. Now it seems like we are (or at least I am) experiencing a renaissance of sorts for the man as he appeared in Rock of Ages as a bouncer, and will be in Magic Mike playing a stripper named Tarzan. In Magic Mike, which is going to be a hit, it seems like he’ll actually get something to do as he’s getting billed in the trailer.
Currently he’s in talks for a role in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. That’s a huge step up for the man. I am assuming that the role in question would either be a guard of some sort, but it makes more sense for him to be Brutus, one of the older victors of the Hunger Games who volunteers for the Quarter Quell. He’ll never be a megastar, but I’d like to see him keep getting roles like this where he gets to be a little more than just the guard in the background.
Catching Fire Casting and Actors Who Slum It?
So it’s being reported that an offer is out for Philip Seymour Hoffman to star as Plutarch “it begins at Midnight” Heavensbee in the next Hunger Games film Catching Fire to be directed by Francis Lawrence. While I can’t really picture him as Plutarch, the head gamesmaker in the 75th Hunger Games, I have no doubt that he’d be able to do a fantastic job. The only thing is that he is not what I would have thought for the character.
I guess I can be in on the casting commentary now because I have read all the books. Prior to the first films release I finally read all three books and thoroughly enjoyed them, but I had the problem that I read it now with the actors from the film in mind. I had seen enough commercials and trailers to know who was who, but it didn’t get in my way TOO much while reading. However, once I got to Catching Fire and Mockingjay, the new characters introduced were uncharted territory. My mind created strong depictions of Finnick, Beetee and Wiress, and Plutarch, based on actual actors this time, and not just whatever I imagined. That being said, I saw Plutarch as more of a Michael Ironside. If you know who that is, you know he’s played Plutarch-like roles almost all of his life. For Hoffmann this type of role is a bit of a departure, but it’s just a little bit sad.
Who even knows if he’ll say yes though.
Finnicky Casting
No claps for the title please. I actually deserve to be slapped for it.
‘Catching Fire’ casting is underway, well ‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ is the official title. First off the title is unnecessary. I can’t believe I’m about to give Twilight a compliment, but I like how they give to movie the name of the book and just tack on ‘The Twilight Saga’ on all promotional material.
News right now is the three Actors still up for the role of Finnick are Armie Hammer, Taylor Kitsch, and Garrett Hedlund.
I choose Hedlund. Why? Because I had to look him up.
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