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.
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.