Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth better make room for the newest “Hunger Games” heart-throb.
Sam Claflin has been cast as fan favorite Finnick Odair in Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Lionsgate released the much anticipated news in an official statement today.
No other “Catching Fire” role has caused as much buzz as Finnick.
Variety reported that Claflin topped the shortlist since July, but hunks like Armie Hammer and Garrett Hedlund were also rumored to play the charming but deadly District 4 fisherman/former Hunger Games winner in Suzanne Collins’ popular trilogy.
It’s a breakthrough role for the 24-year-old British newcomer, who played Philip in the last “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie and the Prince in “Snow White and the Huntsman.”
Claflin joins Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone and Amanda Plummer as the new additions to the franchise.
“I Am Legend” director Francis Lawrence will begin shooting in the fall, and the film is set to arrive on Nov. 22, 2013.