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Finnick

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'Mockingjay Part 1,' Sam Claflin, and Julianne Moore in Empire's Winter Preview Issue


Sam Claflin and Julianne Moore talk Mockingjay Part 1 in the October issue of Empire Magazine. In Empire's Winter Preview Sam talks about living up to the first two Hunger Games films, while Julianne Moore remembers Philip Seymour Hoffman and says that Jennifer Lawrence is "very, very easy to love." There's also a small feature on Sam's upcoming film, The Riot Club.

 

Julianne Moore recently came full circle after filming a prominent role in the last installments of The Hunger Games - the fourthcoming two-parter Mockingjay - where she worked for a final time with the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.

 
Moore features as President Alma Coin, another high-profile co-star for Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss. "I did the bulk of my work on the film with Phil," she says, quietly. Hoffman was her friend and co-star from Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski and Magnolia. "He had pretty much completed shooting, so I had done all my work with him..."Her voice trails off, a cue for Empire to move on.

 
She must've also enjoyed re-teaming with Hunger Games mainstay Woody Harrelson, we inquire (the two having worked together on The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio and the TV picture Game Change, where Moore played Sarah Palin)? "Oh yes," she coos. "It was great fun to be with Woody and sometimes you forgot you were in this dystopian fantasy. Then someone would walk by with half their head shaved and there would be weird things coming out of the back of them and you were like, 'Oh yeah, this is a fantasy movie!'"

 
Moore's route into The Hunger Games came, somewhat predictably, through her two children. She picked up her daughter's copy of the first book in the series while on holiday, when her kids were playing table tennis. "I thought it was great and my children love these books, so for them it is very exciting for me to be in the franchise. Generally, I make movies that they can't see! And they both love Jennifer Lawrence. She is very, very easy to love."

 

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New 'Mockingjay Part 1' District 13 Citizen Posters

We're getting an earlier than expected look at six new Mockingjay Part 1 District 13 character posters. President Coin, Haymitch Abernathy, Beetee Latier, Effie Trinket, Plutarch Heavensbee and Finnick Odair are featured in their District 13 finest. And by finest we mean their drab grey uniforms. Looks like Effie is making the most of what she's been dealt in 13. You go, Effie. 

The posters debuted on various websites tonight after they were leaked a bit early online right after the District 13 mobile site launch. 

We assume this is the first wave of District 13 citizen posters and we're very excited to see Katniss in one of them, hopefully in the near future. Because District 13 is alive and well and so is the Mockingjay.

 

 

 

 

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VIDEO: Sam Claflin Has a Bizarre Party Trick and "A Real Issue With Trousers"

Sam Claflin was one of 20 different cover stars of Hunger Magazine's Mighty Blighty issue that came out back in February (we posted the photos and entire article HERE if you want to re-read).

Today they posted a never-before-released video from his photo shoot, and they asked Sam all about his most embarasing moments which include this little gem: "I have a real issue with trousers. Pretty much every part and every character I've ever played my trouser will split up the crotch."

Oh, and don't miss his freaky party trick.

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Sam Claflin Talks Finnick Odair and Fan Negativity

Photos by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Sam Claflin talked a bit about playing Finnick Odair in Catching Fire and dealing with fan negativity about his casting with Reuters while promoting his new movie, The Quiet Ones. Sam keeps coming back to this subject and we sort of want to shake him and say, "Hey, Sam, we LOVE you as Finnick. Please move on!" Though we totally get it - that must have been absolutely brutal.

Q: You've often played the love interest. Are you worried about being typecast as the romantic hero?

A: It's definitely something that still scares me. Even now I'm in the process of making a decision of where I'm going to be going after "Hunger Games," and I want to make the right decision. I want a long-lasting career as opposed to someone that does the same thing over and over again, people get bored of you, and you then get washed up because the next young, better-looking version of you will arrive. I want to try my hand at new things, I want to be a character actor, I'd like to think of myself as a chameleon.

Q: What drew you to Finnick Odair in "Catching Fire"?

A: Knowing the journey that he goes on, where he begins; he's got this exterior, he's a confident, charming man, very good-looking and often judged on the way he looks, and I think he's the epitome of Hollywood ... but actually what's going on inside, there's a lot more going on. He's very similar to me in that sense, I think I put on a brave face a lot of the time, but actually what I'm thinking is I'm so nervous and intimated by what's going on. He's so vulnerable and naive to the world, he's just had to put on a front.

Q: What's been the most intimidating moment in your career?

A: I think portraying Finnick Odair would be the poignant moment in my career in the sense of I put most pressure on myself. I felt hugely intimidated entering into a franchise I was already a fan of, and had the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman coming on board, I didn't know what to do with myself. A lot of the fans showed a lot of negative thoughts with the role.

Q: How do you deal with that negativity?

A: I use it to my advantage. To me, that made me work harder ... it pushed me further, whereas I think if everyone was like, "He's perfect the way he is," I wouldn't have done anything; I would have just turned up. But I felt like, "I'm going to prove you wrong," and I can only do as much as I can do, and if they still hate me, they hate me, I can't change my face, I'm sorry. Well, I can with surgery! (laughs)

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VIDEO: Sam Claflin on His 'Mockingjay' Annie Cresta, "Stef Dawson and I Are Like Best of Mates"

Sam Claflin recently told Digital Spy that he and his co-star Stef Dawson (who plays Finnick's love Annie Cresta) are, "like best of mates."

Sam Claflin bonded with his The Hunger Games: Mockingjay co-star Stef Dawson over Twitter before the pair became good friends.

"We got in touch via tweet immediately when the news broke," revealed Claflin, who will play District 4 tribute Finnick Odair opposite Dawson's Annie Cresta in the franchise's two-part finale.

"The moment she set foot on the Mockingjay set, the two of us are like best of mates. She's great."

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Sam Claflin Featured in Marie Claire UK May Issue

Sam Claflin is featured in Marie Claire UK's May edition and he talks about his career, his wife Laura Haddock, and, of course, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay co-stars with whom he has, ‘probably too much fun.’

Transcript of the article and photo thanks to Sam Claflin Fans:

THERE’S A MOMENT ABOUT FIVE MINUTES INTO meeting Hunger Games star Sam Claflin where it feels less like a regular celebrity interview and more like a cathartic therapy session. Having begun a sentence with, ‘It hasn’t felt like my life has changed,’ Claflin starts to unravel. ‘I just feel very grown-up all of a sudden,’ he ponders, sinking into the sofa of a private lounge in a central London hotel.‘I have responsibilities. I have to take a few risks and there’s a lot more pressure on my shoulders now than there was a few years ago. I felt I could make a mistake and no one would care, whereas now people are starting to take note…’

Read more after the jump!

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Video: 'Catching Fire' Behind The Scenes - Sam Claflin Talks About Finnick's Journey

In a new clip from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire 9-part making-of documentary, "Surviving The Game" Sam Claflin talks about the journey Finnick Odair takes in the films.

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Sam Claflin Posts Sleepless Selfie

Well, don't expect us to be too impressed (with ANYTHING else). We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear. Ok, the actor who plays Finnick Odair, Sam Claflin, shirtless and sleepless is a hotel room somewhere, presumably. We're very sorry you can't sleep. But thanks for making our night by posting this adorable selfie to your twitter. And remember, we're madly in love with you as Finnick Odair, so feel free to post shirless selfies anytime you like.

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Sam Claflin in SFX Magazine

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is reviewed in the February issue of SFX magazine, and there's also a tiny little interview with our Finnick, Sam Claflin included alongside the review. Check out what Sam had to say when he spoke with SFX's Tara Bennett:

What appealed to you about playing Finnick?

That I was playing a character where I would be physically in shape and challenged with the fighting side. Finnick is also so complex, having bad points and good points, so I get to portray a character you don't quite trust.

Was the physical preparation a big change to your daily routine? Yeah, I'm English so I like beer and Christmas dinner! But what's great about working on Finnick was I had no time to eat or drink, as I was literally in the gym. It was time-consuming in a good way.

Did the fan backlash at your casting get in your head? I have to admit I'm one of those people who read things on the internet about me being cast as Finnick. It spurred me on every time someone said, "He's so ugly! I'm going to hang myself!" The fact is it made me work harder to prove them wrong. I'd like to think a lot of people have changed their perception of this English kid getting the part.

[SPOILER ALERT!] In book three, Mockingjay, Finnick meets a nasty end. Worried about that bit? Yeah, there is that. I think my brother is very excited about that scene! I can't wait to get started on the next one, to get thrown into the mix again, and to work for Francis, who I see as a pure delight to work for. It's exciting times.

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Fansite Exclusive: Sam Claflin and Jena Malone On 'Catching Fire'

 

 

One of the coolest things about being a fansite (ok, THE coolest, without a doubt) is that sometimes you get to have amazing experiences like the one we had yesterday morning. We were invited to an exclusive fansite phone interview with Sam Claflin (Finnick) and Jena Malone (Johanna) from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. We actually got to speak to them ON THE PHONE. And they were just as charming, funny and thoughtful as you would have hoped. These two care deeply about the characters that we love so much. Read on and see what your favorite fansites asked Jena and Sam and, more importantly, their insightful and hilarious answers. (deep lunges)

 

Oh, and NBD, but Sam and Jena sang Happy Birthday to our own Samantha at the end of the call. Whatever. (FANGIRL EXPLOSION)

 

PanemPropaganda.com:


When you were working on your roles, did you speak to anyone, or consider for yourself, what kind of background your characters had outside the Games? Things like family or friendships they may have had back in their Districts, and how did that affect the development of your characters?

Jena: Yeah! The book is SO rich, even though it doesn’t go into specifics about what these characters have gone through, you can pick through, and there are sentences that, really, for an actor, are goldmines. It’s like a doorway you go through, and there’s a whole house inside there. Suzanne Collins created stories that, I feel like as an actor, are like candy. There was so much to work with. And Francis was constantly providing us more information. Even just really understanding who these people were, giving us essays on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and all of these different things to research. I feel like we had so much to go in and paint with. It was kind of amazing.

Sam: Lynn Cohen, who plays Mags, and I spent a few weeks during the preparation time discussing our relationship, coming to the decision that she was more of a mother to Finnick. He was kind of an orphan, we decided. She was his mentor when he was in the Games, and everything that happened since, obviously, leading up to Catching Fire, her volunteering for Annie Cresta, etc. Finnick’s past and his history is mentioned in Mockingjay. There is a very, very dark history painted for him, and I got to talk that through, not only with Lynn Cohen, but with Francis, like Jena said, and everyone else as well. It was easy for me to sort of mold ideas.

There is SO much more of this interview after the jump. Please read on....

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Jennifer Lawrence and Sam Claflin Talk 'Catching Fire' With Teen Vogue

Image by Murray Close Jennifer Lawrence and Sam Claflin talk about training, filming Catching Fire in Hawaii, and dealing with fame and paparazzi in a hilarious, extended, online-only interview with Teen Vogue.

Jennifer, what did it feel like to revisit your character for the second time?
Jennifer Lawrence: It was kind of weird to go back because I had this idea when I first signed on to the franchise that it would get boring playing the same character. I've never done that—I've always played a brand new character. Katniss is the same character but in completely new circumstances. She's changed.

Was it important for you to set a certain tone on set as the leading lady?
JL: Yeah, I needed everyone to know I was in charge. (Laughs) I just wanted everyone to be comfortable. When there are new people, it can get awkward, but everyone was so great—including you, Sam.
Sam Claflin: I first bumped into you at stunt training. Your archery put me to shame. I was quite intimidated.
JL: By the sight of my face.
SC: Yea. It really put me off. (Laughs) No, obviously you are a good role model.

How will your characters interact with each other in the movie? You have a ... complicated relationship.
JL: Finnick is the most seductive man in the Capitol. At first Katniss is very put off by him, but the more she learns about him, the more she starts to understand and respect him. They become weird friends.
SC: He has charm and charisma going for him, but deep down he has insecurities, which overshadow his "external beauty."

Sam, Finnick has a very physical role. How did you train?
SC: I had quite the journey. If you read the description of Finnick in the book, then pin my face next to that, there's quite a long way to go.
JL: He was drastically overweight.
SC: I was definitely not in shape. There was a lot of training involved. Months and months of eating the same meals every day. Omelet in the morning, protein shake in the afternoon. The same routine of gym and stunt training. I'm happy with the end result. I did the best I could.
JL: You can't diet on these movies. It's impossible.
SC: It's pretty tough.

You shot most of the movie in Atlanta but the arena scenes took place in Oahu. How was Hawaii? JL: Oh, it was like a different movie. Try being stressed in Hawaii, I dare you.
SC: There's something about Hawaii where you step off the plane and you feel really chill. Spiritually, it was like a different film. The crew and cast were downsized and it felt more like a small family unit.
JL: We went swimming in between takes. We would go paddle boarding at lunch. It was amazing. But the scenes got a lot more intense. Things get terrifying.

There was a lot of paparazzi following you guys on this journey. Did that make it hard while you were filming intense scenes?
SC: They weren't around when we were doing scenes so much. It was worse during our downtime.
JL: I mean, paparazzi suck all the time. When you're working, it's distracting and when you're not working, it's annoying. I don't feel like anyone is entitled to know what we're doing on our weekends and for some reason, the world thinks they are. That's just how I feel.
SC: I was lucky. I didn't have to deal with it as much as her and Josh—partly because no one knows who I am. I'm lucky.

Jennifer, have you given Sam any advice?
JL: I told him that everything's going to change really fast. I haven't really stopped working, which has been exhausting, but also a blessing because I don't have time to think about it.
SC: I've had a very busy year thus far and when this film comes out, we'll be in the middle of shooting the next one! It's going to be another busy year.

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'Catching Fire' Article in Sci Fi Now

Sci Fi Now Issue 86 has arrived on newsstands in the UK featuring The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and thanks to ThePeacekeeper's keen eyes, we have some of the article for you! The issue includes interviews with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Sam Claflin , and Francis Lawrence and a really cool guide to the layout of the Quarter Quell arena and a Hunger Games survival guide. We'll update with HQ scans when available. 


Here are excerpts from the interviews. Read Josh Hutcherson, Sam Claflin, and Francis Lawrence's interviews after the jump:

Jennifer Lawrence on signing on as Katniss:

"When I first signed on to it, I expected to have a lot of regrets," admits the 23-year-old on her decision to break out of independent movies for a big studio spectacular. "But fortunately I haven't. I am happy I did take the role. [If I hadn't] I would still probably be able to go to restaurants without becoming a nervous wreck or go to Starbucks and get my own coffee - that would be different. That would be lovely."  

"Originally it was just reading scripts, talking to directors and making movies," she recalls, "and then all of a sudden it was like, 'Oh yeah, you have to wear high heels and make people like you.' So when I read the book, I was laughing at that, going 'Yeah, I know how that feels.'"  

On Katniss in Catching Fire:

"She's suffering from post-traumatic stress from the first Games, and she's trying to get her life back. She is living in the Victors' Village now, she doesn't have to hunt any more - which makes her feel useless and bored - and there is part of her life that Gale will never understand. Peeta is the only one that truly knows what she went through. And when she has to go back to the Capitol, it's not a foreign world to her anymore. Not that she likes it, but she understands it now and how to work it."

"The wedding dress was incredible because it's stunning, but I'm not good with big dresses - and stairs. I'm so bad"..

On being a role model and body image:

"In the first movie, when it was obviously being talked about, like, 'It's The Hunger Games, you have to lose ten pounds.' I said 'We have control over this role model. Why would we make her something unobtainable and thin?' This is a person that young girls will be looking up to, so why not make her strong? Why not make her beautiful and healthy and fit? I was very adamant about that, because I think that our industry doesn't take enough responsibility for what it does to our society. I remember what it felt like to be 14 years old, looking at a Victoria's Secret model and thinking, 'I'll never look like that.' I don't want to make someone feel like that."

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Sam Claflin in People's "Ones to Watch"

 

Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair) has made it on People's list of "Ones to Watch" - up and coming stars. 


From People's article:

British actor Sam Claflin makes the list with his portrayal of victor Finnick Odair in this fall's The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. 

With the film's anticipated success, "I've been told, 'Beware what's about to happen,' " says Claflin. "But nothing has ever changed. I've witnessed the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Kristen Stewart kind of not being able to walk five meters without having like knickers thrown at them. For me, being able to walk down the street and go to the butcher's is a good thing." 


On his transformation: "I'm English, so I like beer and burgers, and that had to be cut out completely. It was pretty brutal."

On his career change: After a broken ankle sidelined his dream of becoming a soccer player: "I'm like a farm boy. But I'm happy to be here."

 

Thanks to Sam Claflin Fans for the scan!

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Teen Vogue talks to Catching Fire Cast

Teen Vogue's latest issue includes an interview with Willow Shields, Jennifer Lawrence, and a small Q&A with both Jennifer and Sam Claflin.

Willow on learning to identify with Prim:
"My sister, Autumn, and I are twins [...], Shooting a dramatic scene like the reaping, I imagine it happening to Autumn in real life. Having a sister is very helpful for this role."

On Mockingjay:
"What Prim has to do in Mockingjay will be a real challenge. But I love a challenge."

The article is definitely worth checking out for the banter between Jen and Sam:

Sam: I first bumped into you at stunt training. Your archery put me to shame. I was quite intimidated.
Jen: By the sight of my face!
Sam: Yeah, it really put me off. 

Image courtesy of QuarterQuell.org 


Image courtesy of QuarterQuell.org

 

Image courtesy of QuarterQuell.org

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New 'Catching Fire' Posters Revealed

Select movie theatres in the US have begun using Catching Fire drink cups and popcorn buckets featuring Katniss and the Catching Fire mockingjay logo, AND a QR code that unlocks these exclusive new posters. Thanks to our friends at QuarterQuell.org,  we've got our first look at the new Catching Fire posters. According to the admin on this facebook page, you can also unlock the "four note" ringtone with the QR code. Time to head to a movie! 

Many thanks to QuarterQuell.org, THG Italia, and MyNameIsKatnissEverdeenMockingjay (who actually did all the scanning and unlocking!)

Some movie theaters in America have begun using custom Catching Fire popcorn buckets and soda cups. As well as being decorated with the poster and an image of Katniss, they also have a QR code, which can be scanned to reveal new character images! - See more at: http://www.quarterquell.org/2013/09/catching-fire-popcorn-buckets-reveal.html#sthash.8QzeJt91.dpuf
Some movie theaters in America have begun using custom Catching Fire popcorn buckets and soda cups. As well as being decorated with the poster and an image of Katniss, they also have a QR code, which can be scanned to reveal new character images! - See more at: http://www.quarterquell.org/2013/09/catching-fire-popcorn-buckets-reveal.html#sthash.8QzeJt91.dpuf
Some movie theaters in America have begun using custom Catching Fire popcorn buckets and soda cups. As well as being decorated with the poster and an image of Katniss, they also have a QR code, which can be scanned to reveal new character images! - See more at: http://www.quarterquell.org/2013/09/catching-fire-popcorn-buckets-reveal.html#sthash.8QzeJt91.dpuf

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Sam Claflin for British Airways

First off: how adorable is he? Come on. Seriously.

British Airways has debuted its new "Red Carpet Route" - a direct from Los Angeles to London on their new Airbus A380 - with Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair) as one of their spokesmen! 

"We currently fly three flights a day from LA to London and are proud to be strengthening our connection between these two entertainment capitals with the largest and most luxurious aircraft in our fleet," said Sean Doyle, EVP Americas for British Airways.

Celebrating the connection between two entertainment capitals of the world, British Airways has partnered with Varietymagazine to present "10 Brits to Watch". The best emerging U.K. talent in Hollywood will be recognized at a red carpet event on September 25.

At the premiere party, guests will experience signature elements of the A380 while honoring the magazine's "10 Brits to Watch."  These up-and-coming actors, writers, directors and musicians include Sam Claflin, Tuppence Middleton, Harry Treadaway,Sally El Housani, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Georgia King, Ed Whitworth, George Blagden, Alexandra McGuiness and Lauren Harris.

 Image and Text from PR News Wire.com

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UPDATE: Full Versions of The Latest 'Catching Fire' Stills From Hunger Games Explorer

Last week The Hunger Games Explorer gave us 20 new Catching Fire character stills. Today, our friends at QuarterQuell.org posted the full, uncropped, Hi-Res versions of the stills and we have them here for you. Also, be sure to check out the Catching Fire Movie page on The Hunger Games Explorer for movie posters, cast and crew bios and tons of pictures.

 

See the rest of the full size images in our Gallery (click each image to enlarge).

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