Sam Claflin Talks Finnick in GQ Style

 

Sam Claflin talks Finnick Odair and The Hunger Games in the latest edition of the UK bi-annual GQ Style, accompanied by some gorgeous photos shot by Matthew Brookes. 

"I wasn't in the right shape for Finnick for the audition. I had stubble and there was a picture of me at a premiere and everyone was like: who is this guy? He doesn't even have blue eyes, let alone copper-coloured hair, a tan or a six pack."
 

But he won the fans over thanks to a restricted diet of egg-white omelettes and porridge, and a brutal training regime: "Three hours a day, five days a week for four months."
 

That and his impressive performance, which I realise from our conversation, is an exemplar of the technical complexity of acting in big-budget blockbusters. As well as staying in his American accent and bearing the emotion of the scene, he had to develop a kind of muscle memory for the intricately mapped out actions sequences all "without hitting someone with the trident."
 

Technical, then, and tiring. He was mostly in Atlanta working long days for ten months shooting the last installments of The Hunger Games movies and was thrilled, when I spoke to him, to be back home in west London, which he loves.

"You can live an anonymous life here in a way that you can't in Los Angeles."
 

At the moment his fame is nowhere near the R-Patz level of hysteria and he walks about untroubled by pestering fans. Come Christmas though, I wonder if this will still be true, but either way, he doesn't have a plan for the next five years. "I'm just excited about what's around the corner."

 

These photos are courtesy of our friends at Sam Claflin Fans, so please visit their site for the full scans of the article and more pictures. 

Bonus photo: Sam Claflin portrait by Jeff Vespa taken while Sam was at TIFF promoting The Riot Club. 

 

Sam Claflin, Jena Malone and Elizabeth Banks at TIFF

Sam Claflin, Jena Malone and Elizabeth Banks were at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year to support various, separate projects outside The Hunger Games world. 

Sam was on hand for the world premiere of his upcoming film, The Riot Club. 

Sam photos thanks to our friends at SamClaflinFans. Be sure to check out their fabulous gallery for many more photos from TIFF, including all the press events. 

Photo thanks to MockingjaySource.com

Jena Malone was at TIFF promoting her upcoming Time Out Of Mind, which she calls, "the most important film I've ever made." Jena was absolutely stunning at the premiere of the film. Time Out of Mind is due in theaters October 5th. 

Photo thanks to MockingjaySource.comElizabeth Banks was at TIFF for the premiere of her film Love and Mercy. The biopic of The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson is already getting great reviews. Curiously enough, the film was rewritten by screenwriter Oren Moverman, who also co-wrote and directed Jena Malone's TIFF film, Time Out of Mind. 

'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."

 

Francis Lawrence Accepts our ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Earlier today Nina Jacobson, producer of The Hunger Games films, accepted our ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Nomination. I mean, how cool is that? Director Francis Lawrence had tweeted that he was in

 

but he came through with the video proof today:

Aww, Francis! We feel your pain. 

He nominates Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Sam Claflin for the challenge. What do you say boys?? From the looks of social media, you should get to those ice buckets asap.

And we'll be getting out our check books again. As promised, PanemPropaganda will make a donation for every cast and crew member that does the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! Thanks Francis, and thanks to all of you that are supporting the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

And let's hear it for our Hunger Games team! Nina and Francis obviously didn't have to take the time to do this, but it's a lovely gesture to do for the tributes/Hunger Games fans. Thank you! 

Sam Claflin Makes a Cameo in Norwich Theatre Royal’s Wind in the Willows

Sam Claflin and some of the special guests of Norwich Theatre Royal

Sam Clalfin Photo by Denise Bradley

Sam Claflin and his brother Joe Claflin made cameo appearances in Norwich Theatre Royal’s Youth Theater Company production of Wind in the Willows last weekend. Sam and Joe are both alumni of the Norwich Theater Royal’s Theater Arts Course and were cast members of Wind in The Willows as students back in 2005. They resumed their roles to celebrate director David Lambert’s 25th show.

Sam and Joe Claflin. All photos courtesy Great Yarmouth Mercury

Great Yarmouth Mercury spoke with Sam about the experience:

Nowadays he’s more used to working on Hollywood film sets with some of cinema’s biggest names, but this week film star Sam Claflin is returning to his roots and taking to the stage at Norwich Theatre Royal.

The former Costessey High School pupil is one of a number of the theatre’s arts course alumni who have returned to mark director David Lambert’s 25th show milestone by appearing alongside current students in the show The Wind in the Willows.

Sam – known for films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – actually played Ratty in the youth theatre company’s 2005 production of the riverside tale, and last night he played the older version of the character.

“It’s very nostalgic treading these boards again, without the arts course I wouldn’t be even half way to where I am now. It embraced me as a thespian and made me who I am I guess... I’m very thankful and happy to be back to celebrate,” said Sam.

About the 2005 Wind in the Willows show, he added: “It feels so long ago but at the same time it feels like only yesterday.

“It’s all been such an incredible journey from here to where I am, so it’s nice to be back... I know that I had the most fun on this stage.”

He said it was great to be a part of the on-stage reunion and to celebrate Mr Lambert’s landmark anniversary, and that it was brilliant to perform alongside his brother Joe, also a professional actor, who last night played the character of older Mole.

“It’s the first time Joe and I have acted together since we did the Sinbad the Sailor here which was 2006,” said Sam, who in 2003 also played the title role in the youth theatre company’s production of Robinson Crusoe.

Fellow alumni who joined Sam and Joe on stage last night were Daniel Burgess, who played older Toad, and Lisa Ellis, who played Mrs Otter.

New Poster For Sam Claflin's 'Love, Rosie'

The Love, Rosie facebook page debuted an adorable new poster for the movie today featuring Sam Claflin and Lily Collins. There's also a brand new trailer. Check it out below:

There's also a new Australian poster for the film:

The movie comes out October 17th. 

Sam Claflin and 'The Riot Club' cast in British Vogue

Sam and Douglas Booth pose with model Matilda LowtherSam Claflin and some of his castmates from the upcoming film, The Riot Club are featured in the August edition of British Vogue. Laura Wade – author of the play Posh on which the film is based - talks about the movie's characters in the issue, and photographer Scott Trindle captures the young men who will bring her story to the big screen later this year. 

Sam Claflin and his castmates pose with models in British Vogue.

Thanks to Sam Claflin Fans for the bottom two scans from Vogue. To read the article check out their scans HERE. 

'Catching Fire' Nominated in the Young Hollywood Awards

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is nominated for several Young Hollywood Awards. You can only vote in two of the categories: Fan Favorite Actor Male and Female. Vote HERE through July 18th.

Fan Favorite Actor – Male
Liam Hemsworth
Josh Hutcherson

Fan Favorite Actor – Female
Jennifer Lawrence

Breakthrough Actor
Sam Claflin

Best Threesome
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson)

Best Cast Chemistry – Film
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Favorite Flick
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The 2014 Young Hollywood Awards air on the CW on July 28 at 8/7C.

Happy Birthday, Sam Claflin!

Sam and his puppy, Rosie. Image courtesy GlamourUK.Happy 28th birthday to our perfect Finnick Odair and all-around lovely human being, Sam Clalfin! Cheers, Sam.

'Mockingjay' Wraps and 'The Hunger Games' Cast & Crew React

Josh, Woody, Liam and JenniferWell, that was emotional! Filming for Mockingjay wrapped yesterday and The Hunger Games series is finished filming forever. Sure, there could be a few reshoots, but Josh Hutcherson is already back to brunette and the cast of our beloved films have been sharing their parting thoughts on social media.

Director Francis Lawrence made it official on twitter:

Producer Nina Jacobson tweeted the photo above (and see photo guide below) with the caption:

"That’s a wrap. Thank you Suzanne Collins. Thank you Francis Lawrence. Thank you HG Fans. Other than that, I’m speechless."

Handy little photo guide thanks to @everlark4evaaaa

Sam Claflin took to twitter this morning with a 3-tweet-long message that siad:

“I just want/need to express my many thanks to everyone (cast, crew & fans) who have worked so hard for so long to make The Hunger Games experience what it is. But for also trusting me enough to let me be part of it. I feel privileged, honored and so very lucky to have shared this opportunity with so many passionate & talented people.”

Willow Shields posted this lovely photo and caption to her instagram:

Such a bittersweet moment... Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2 have officially wrapped! This has been such a wonderful journey and I cannot wait till you see the films! What a huge part of my life and I wanna thank all of you beautiful people for supporting our series all the way! Are you excited or are you EXCITED to see Mockingjay?

And some of our other cast members tweeted their thoughts as well:

Making yesterday even more poignant was all of you tributes trending #ThankYouTHGCast and #ThankYouTHGCastandCrew across social media and sharing your thoughts and photos. We trended #ThankYouTHGCastandCrew on twitter in the US and UK, and Mockingjay was trending on tumblr.

Fear not, tibutes! We still have 2 amazing Mockingjay movies to look forward to and lots of promotional marketing to come. So tributes....We Remain!

Sam Claflin is Glamour UK's July Cover Boy

Sam Claflin is one of four different cover stars of Glamour UK's Women of the Year issue (July). Sam just happens to be Glamour's Man of the Year this year, and was honored at the Women of the Year Awards last night in London (see the photos and video from the awards here).

We've transcribed the article from GlamourUK for you below.

"There was huge pressure mounting over me initially." An understatement of the highest order, one might argue. For when Brit actor Sam Claflin beat a host of names, including Armie Hammer, to win the coveted part of Finnick Odair in the second installment of the Hunger Games movie franchise, the internet and his wife all had an opinion. And not prevalently positive ones...
"I couldn't help but come across comments on my casting. They were just everywhere," laughs the 27-year-old from Suffolk. "I started the process thinking I was going to have to have serious surgery to make everyone happy. With a young Brad Pitt's face, Zac Efron's abs, Dwayne Johnson's pecs, and Channing Tatum's left calf! But it's impossible to please everyone. I trusted the team that brought you Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. They had their reasons for picking me and i worked my butt off to prove to any doubters that I was the man for the job."

That he certainly did, with glowing reviews and a global box office gross of $865 million and counting for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Which in part may be due to the world's infatuation with his co-star, Jennifer Lawrence. Sam himself is a huge fan.

"She's this young, talented klutz who has won an Oscar at such a young age and has the entire world loving her. But she deserves every bit of praise she's received. I can safely say that she genuinely hasn't and never will let any of it go to her head. She's an inspiration to me as much as everyone else and I've loved having the opportunity to work with her."

But the main woman in Sam's life is his wife of one year, actress Laura Haddock. "Getting married was easily one of the greatest achievements of the past 12 months. To have a wife with such wondrous, creative imagination, who planned every inch of it, made the day all the more special. Every five seconds I find myself falling harder and deeper in love with her."

Professionally, things couldn't be sweeter, either. Two huge movies due for release this autumn are set to cement Sam's leading man credentials - romantic comedy Love, Rosie opposite Lily Collins and The Riot Club alongside fellow Brit actors Douglas Booth and Max Irons.

And as for being anointed our newest Man of the Year, Sam remains uncharacteristically humble.

"It was a tad unexpected, to say the least, but i feel very honored. I'll continue to do what I'm doing so as not to let you down! I feel truly privileged to have my name along all the previous winners. Thank you very much."

Handsome, talented, charming, romantic and polite. Why are all the good ones taken?

New Trailer & Poster For Sam Claflin's Upcoming 'Love Rosie'

There's a brand new trailer and poster for Sam Claflin's upcoming - and adorable looking - Love, Rosie. The movie hits theaters in October.

Sam Claflin is Glamour's Man of the Year + Natalie Dormer

Congratulations to Sam Claflin, Man of the Year at the GLAMOUR Awards 2014!

Sam walked the red carpet with his wife Laura Haddock, and talked about about the duo’s red carpet process.

“It’s a lot of shouting at one another ‘get me a cup of tea’; it’s not actually very stressful!” he shared.

Sam continued, “A guy and a girl, it’s a very different process. It’s easy for me to choose a suit but when she walks down the stairs, it’s like ‘wow’.” Cue the awws!

His Mockingjay and The Riot Club co-star Natalie Dormer was on hand to present him the award tonight.See it at the 3:21 mark in the video below.

Natalie talks a little about the Thai people adopting the Hunger Games salute as their symbol of revolution in the video below at about 1:24. Then Sam talks about Katniss Everdeen and Jennifer Lawrence at 1:39. If you're a Game of Thrones fan (guilty), you can see Sophie Turner adorably fangirl over her co-star, Natalie Dormer right after.

More video from the red carpet. Natalie and Sam talk about how nice it is to see each other dressed up instead of "running around with you in dirt and sewage and black stuff on our faces."

New Still of Sam Claflin in 'Love, Rosie'

Radio Times just released a new still from Sam Claflin and Lily Collins' upcoming film Love, Rosie. I wouldn't point any fingers there, Mr. Wet T-Shirt!

The movie comes out in October and, according to Radio Times, we should look for a new trailer to debut on Wednesday.

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.

Sam Claflin Plays in Charity Soccer Event

Sam Claflin got to show off his soccer (well technically, football) skills in Jamie's Game 2 on Sunday, a celebrity charity soccer game in support of The Sporting Light Appeal. The Sporting Light Appeal is a local Norfolk charity that raises money for the Community Sports Foundation (CSF) to use sport to improve the quality of life for those who need it most in the area. Looks like Sam had a great time at the event!

Thanks to Sam Claflin Fans and their readers for all of the photos from the event! See more photos from the event in their gallery.

The 'Mockingjay' Cast Attends the Vanity Fair/Armani Party at Cannes

All photos courtesy Vanity FairJennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Donal Sutherland and Julianne Moore all stopped by the Vanity Fair and Armani’s Cannes Film Festival party, hosted by Graydon Carter and Giorgio Armani at the luxe Hotel du Cap last night after the big Mockingjay party.

Josh Hutcherson

Sam Claflin and his wife Laura HaddockLiam Hemsworth and Robert PattinsonHarrison Ford with Julianne MooreSam Claflin goofing around with Suki Waterhouse

You can see all the photos and video from Lionsgate's big Mockingjay party HERE.

And check out the photos and video of the Mockingjay cast photocall at Cannes HERE.

'Mockingjay' Photocall at Cannes!

Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images EuropeThe Mockingjay madness has begun at the 2014 Cannes film festival. Cast members Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson (yay), Liam Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland, director Francis Lawrence, Producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairman Rob Friedman and Lionsgate President of Production Erik Feig attended The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 photocall at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival.

Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images EuropePhoto by Ian Gavan/Getty Images EuropeThe cast even plays the circle game at Cannes! Look out, Donald!

Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images EuropePhoto by Ian Gavan/Getty Images EuropePhoto by Ian Gavan/Getty Images Europe

Photos courtesy @HutchersonComBr

Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images EuropePhoto by Ian Gavan/Getty Images Europe