Exclusive: First Addition to Catching Fire Cast Could Be...Robert Pattinson?
Tue, May 22, 2012 
The buzz word used for The Hunger Games for the longest time was "the next Twilight." Leading up to its March release, those with little knowledge of Suzanne Collins' literary trilogy always played the Twilight card due to their lack of comparison. Some used Battle Royale too but the emo-teenage vampires and werewolves were overwhelmingly the reference point. Since the $152 million 3-day opening monster it became (Notice it hasn’t left the Top 10 yet!), said comparisons ceased. Judging by this development, perhaps Lionsgate doesn't want them to end?
TMT received a tip the studio is chasing Robert Pattinson to join the cast of Catching Fire, the sequel Francis Lawrence is taking over after helmer Gary Ross' high-profile departure, as Finnick Odair. So yeah that would make it a Water for Elephants reunion, huh?
Finnick was the one of the competition's youngest champions, at fourteen, having won the 65th annual Hunger Games for District 4. By the time we get into Catching Fire, he's in his mid-twenties and joins the Third Quarter Quell, a Hunger Games competition consisting of former winners. Described as quiet the ladies man, we're not talking Edward Cullen.
This does go against the kind of roles Pattinson has taken so far (non-studio fare like the afore-mentioned Water for Elephants, Remember Me, David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis). Or perhaps he's thinking he needs a second bread-earner franchise as Twilight draws to an end not unlike co-star Kristen Stewart in Snow White & the Huntsman.
Weird mentality on Lionsgate's part since this is the kind of cross-branding not necessary for something as huge as The Hunger Games. That is in the event Pattinson actually gets cast.
Reader Comments (11)
This rumor has been going around for ages and ages on Twitter. To which I say, NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!
It's a pipe dream of course but I would've liked Ryan Gosling or Joseph Gordon-Levitt for Finnick. Obviously neither of them would ever do this. But then I would've also liked Gary Ross to stay as director.
Bottom line being that I've never heard of it as being anything more than a rumor. Others suggested for the role have included everyone from Chris Pine to Alex Pettyfer (retch). I doubt any of these actors are seriously going to get this role. I personally hope they go for a good, not as well known character actor who can act, not a name, just like the most of the actors in the first movie.
It's not true. It's just a rumor and not only would he never do it, but he already has 2 other films lined up that film at the exact same time.
There is general outrage at the idea, so if Francis Lawrence and Lionsgate wants to make any money on this film, they better look elsewhere. He should know that Hunger Games fans don't want to be mixed with the Twilight franchise.
What kind of "tip" does this TMT get it from? Totally untrue. Now everywhere is referring this article to create rumor!! The 3 comments above already shown all the prospective from Rob and THG fan point of view!
If you want to get more "hit" in this article, you succeeded.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who plays Jaime Lannister from Game of Thrones would be my number one pick. He is a prince charming look and that is the type of character I envisioned when I read the novels.
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! While he can be good looking I still really really really like Zac Efron to play Finnick Odaire. He has such charm and he needs something other than a total love story. He needs a little adventure in his filmography.
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! While he can be good looking I still really really really like Zac Efron to play Finnick Odaire. He has such charm and he needs something other than a total love story. He needs a little adventure in his filmography.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO AND NO!
1. Robert Pattinson IS NOT Finnick, does everyone have read the books ? Finnick is blonde without white skin!
2. Robert Pattinson has several projects on the works (another one included with Cronenberg)
3. Seriously, Pattinson doesn't want to do other things than Twilight related (which some people use to think Hunger Games is, which is absolutely not the case), but it's a big phenomenon
To my mind, Garrett Hedlund IS Finnick Odair (please, no Zac Efron, I won't go to theaters if he's the one), he's got incredible acting skills, he worked on Troy he knows how to throw a spear (as Finnick has a trident, great match), he's quite used with blockbusters (Tron Legacy), great in dramas (On The Road). And most importantly, physically, he's very close to Finnick's books. And as Lionsgate is very careful with books' faithfulness, Garrett has to be the ONE.
Trevor Donovan should play Finnick!
Never. In. A million. Years.
Trevor Donovan - yeah I could (and would) see that!