'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Casting Rumors: Robert Pattinson Is Out, So Who Is In?

Recently, when we floated the rumor that Lionsgate wanted Robert Pattinson for the role of Finnick Odair in the upcoming The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, many of you weighed in with a resounding, “Noooooooooo!”

Never fear. Either Lionsgate heard you, or the rumor had no weight to it in the first place. Either way, Pattinson himself confirmed that he is not playing Odair in the anticipated sequel, and so the casting couch remains open for hunky actors willing to fight alongside Jennifer Lawrence’s brave archer Katniss Everdeen.

So if not Pattinson, than who? Well, E! Online says that three names have emerged as frontrunners for the coveted role: Armie Hammer of J. Edgar and The Social Network; Taylor Kitsch of John Carter and Battleship; and Garrett Hedlund of Tron: Legacy and On The Road.

Of the three, whom would you prefer? Coincidentally, many who commented under our earlier Pattinson post called for Hedlund, saying he’d make a fine Finnick in a Catching Fire adaptation. Hammer also seems like a good fit, but has his hands full filming Gore Verbinski’s The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp. Could that take him out of Hunger Games consideration?

As for Kitsch … well, the underperformances by both John Carter and Battleship at the box office might have tarnished his star, and sunk his reputation for being able to carry a major franchise. However, Odair isn’t the lead in Catching Fire – it’s Lawrence’s franchise, by every stretch – so filling in as Finnick might be just what Kitsch’s struggling career needs right now.

Expect a decision shortly, as director Francis Lawrence has to begin filming to stay ahead of the film’s announced Nov. 22, 2013 release date.

Follow along on Twitter @Sean_OConnell and @Fandango .

Tags: Taylor Kitsch, Garrett Hedlund, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire