The Kidd here...
The next chapter of THE HUNGER GAMES just landed a big piece to the puzzle, as Lionsgate today announced Sam Claflin would be taking on the crucial role of Finnick Odair for CATCHING FIRE, as had been long rumored.
Claflin was recently seen earlier this summer in SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN as the son of the Duke. Before that, his biggest role to date was as the missionary Philip in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES. In both cases, they were rather bland and lifeless performances that brought nothing to the table for either film.
I wasn't a big fan of the first HUNGER GAMES film, feeling it missed the mark on a lot of the important points that made the book so good. As a result, I've passed on reading further ahead, as maybe not having that comparison to make may allow the film adaptations to play better. But I showed my wife, an avid reader and fan of the novels, Claflin's picture when the casting came down, and her reaction: a disparaged "Nooooo..." followed by "Ewwww..." When asked for clarification, she told me she just didn't see it. I've talked to a few other big HUNGER GAMES fans since then, and I've gotten similar reaction. Doesn't sound like even the die-hards are impressed.
-Billy Donnelly
"The Infamous Billy The Kidd"
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