Sam Claflin Talks his Audition, the Sugar Cube Scene, and More

Sam Claflin originally thought of himself as an unlikely candidate to play Finnick Odair. While promoting “Snow White and the Huntsman” in L.A., the British actor’s agent had him read for the part of our favorite District 4 fisherman.

“Finnick is this tanned, green-eyed, sex god,” said Claflin. “I’m thinking I’m brunette, I have loads of stubble, at the time I was by no means in shape. This guy walked in just after my audition who looked like Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise. Yeah, I’m not going to get this.”

Luckily, producer Nina Jacobson was looking for much more than a pretty face and caught a glimpse of something distinctly Finnick-y in Sam Claflin.

“Sometimes you get someone with the swagger but not the soulfulness or the other way around,” she told EW. “Sam had both. He is such a sweet, sweet fellow.”

Still, Claflin underwent quite the transformation to become Catching Fire‘s flirty trident-wielder, consuming not much beyond chicken and asparagus.

“It’s depressing,” he admitted. “I just want a burger and beer.”

He also had his hair dyed and went through several sessions of spray-tanning to get that classic bronze skin found in District 4.

“Look at the tanlines on my fingers!” the 26-year-old said. “I’m very English. I’m white. I mean I’m so pale. With spray tans they start peeling and start getting really dirty looking. It’s kind of lucky for the arena because I’m dirty a lot of the time but it’s not great with my shirt off at the moment.”

As for the sugar cube scene many think will make or break Sam Claflin’s performance, he says he won’t be quite as exposed as Finnick was in the book.

“They did have to tone it down from what it is in the book because they can’t make it too graphic if you know what I’m saying,” he said. “Because it was just a knot covering his, basically, you know what I’m saying! I was definitely prepared to do anything. But the costumer said ‘Well we can’t have you in nothing’ so I’m kind of covered up.”

Despite those somewhat comforting changes, Sam definitely felt pressured to nail the scene.

“It was the scariest moment of my life,” Claflin admitted. “I’m on Twitter and so many people have been like ‘Don’t mess this up, or we will kill you.’”

Besides taking away many wonderful memories from the “Catching Fire” set, Claflin is considering keeping a little memento to remember his role in the “Hunger Games” franchise.

“I kept my armor from my first role playing a knight and my mum bought a mannequin for it, so part of me wants to get the wet suit so she can have mannequins all over the house,” remarked Claflin. “Though I don’t know what my fiancée will think about the décor in our house.”

It was nice to finally hear from someone regarding why they cast Sam Claflin as Finnick. It sounds like he can bring several aspects of Finnick’s personality to the table, which I’m excited to see. And it seems like he really wants to please the fans.

So, what do you think about Sam Claflin now that you’ve seen those official photos from “Catching Fire?” Tell us in comments!

[Source: Entertainment Weekly]

A Two-Sided Look at Casting Sam Claflin as Finnick

Well, my two halves have come out of hibernation to discuss one of the most important and long awaited casting decisions of the “Hunger Games Movie” sequel. Let me give you a hint. It starts with Finn and ends in dair. That’s right. Finnick ODAIR. And yes, it did take quite a long time to awaken my split personalities. This is gonna be good…

Hey, there! I’m Dani’s optimistic side. It’s so nice to be back!

Let me hit things off by saying this was an interesting casting choice. I have seen Sam in only one movie, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” and he did a great job in his role! It’ll be nice to see him take on a larger, more complex character. This might have been a risky choice on part of the casting director, but it was a bold decision and one that might result in ample rewards.

As for his physical appearance and whether or not he can literally embody our favorite trident-wielder, I would like to defer you to this:

This:

Oh yeah, and this:

And that’s even before adding Finn’s trademark flirtatious behavior and sugar cube offerings.

Well, that about does it for me! Over to you, Cynical Dani!

Hello. I’m Dani’s cynical side. I do not appreciate people waking me from a deep sleeping state.

I have only one word concerning Sam Claflin: who? Seriously, who is this guy? He’s only had, what, two, three serious roles? None of which had more than six lines. I know nothing about his acting ability. Can he be the Finnick who revived Peeta and saved Katniss on several accounts in “Catching Fire?” Can he be the Finnick who lost his marbles and found solace in tying knots in “Mockingjay?” Can he be the Finnick who is deeply in love with a crazy girl named Annie? No one knows…except maybe Sam.

As for his looks, I can’t say I would be tempted to spill my secrets to him in exchange for cubes of sugar. He’s attractive, but I’m not feeling the “Finnick smolder” so to speak.

Whatever. It’s not like the casting will change. Guess we’re at a dead end again, Dani.

Thanks to the both of ya! So, Finn fans, do you agree with Optimistic Dani, or Cynical Dani? Or do you have a unique perspective all your own? Tell us about it in comments!

Optimistic Dani: C’mon, everyone, at least give Sam Claflin a chance! Do I need to defer you to those pictures again? ‘Cause I will.

Cynical Dani: I think we’ve all had enough of your campaigning.

[Are you wondering what in the world you just read? If so, you probably haven’t read my “Two-Sided Look” posts before. Check them out on our sister site, Hungergamesmovie.org, by clicking here.]