'Catching Fire': Sam Clafin, Melissa Leo and Tony Shalhoub Circling

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has already grabbed a few new stars in Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone, and Amanda Plummer, but plenty of spots are still up for grabs, including the actor who lands the coveted role of Finnick Odair. A list of actors vying to play the trident-wielding Hunger Games victor was quickly dismissed, but the film may have finally found its Finnick.

Variety reports that Sam Clafin is the frontrunner for the highly coveted role. Despite prominent roles in the last “Pirates of the Caribbean” installment and Snow White and the Huntsman, his name still doesn’t carry much weight. Perhaps this third franchise-based attempt at a breakthrough will be the trick. 



Sources also relay that Melissa Leo and Tony Shalhoub are the studio’s top choices to portray Mags, Finnick’s former mentor, and Beetee, an inventor who uses electricity in combat. The former actress won an Academy Award for The Fighter. The latter performer has three Emmy Awards to his name for the comedy series Monk.

Whatever happens with this casting, decisions need to be made soon. Francis Lawrence plans will shoot “Catching Fire” in September with a release planned for November 22, 2013.