By: Katey Rich

After weeks of casting announcements about minor characters even diehard Hunger Games fans probably didn’t care about, we’ve finally snagged the final bit casting notice about Catching FIre— and it’s exactly what you’re expected. Sam Claflin, last seen in Snow White and the Huntsman, will play the dreamboat tribute Finnick, who competes alongside our heroine Katniss in the Quarter Quell.

The news was confirmed today by Lionsgate, though the all-but-settled rumor went around more than a month ago, dashing the hopes of many who thought charismatic types like Armie Hammer or Matt Bomer might get the part. He joins a huge cast of newcomers for the second film, which finds Katniss and Peta (Josh Hutcherson) coming to the end of their Victory Tour across Panem, only to wind up back in the arena as part of the Quarter Quell, in which the new contestants are chosen from among the previous victors. Finnick is probably the new character most beloved by fans– the fact that he’s a handsome man probably doesn’t hurt– but right up there is Johanna Mason, the fiery tribute who clashes immediately with Katniss but eventually learns to work with her. Johanna will be played by Jena Malone, who was confirmed in the cast back in July.

Claflin, the Orlando Bloom of our time, will probably be just fine as Finnick– i’m still holding out hope he’s got charisma that just didn’t emerge in Snow White or the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie. We’ll find out for sure when The Hunger Games: Catching Fire comes to theaters November 22 next year.

Source: Cinema Blend