Finnick Odair is one of the most beloved characters from The Hunger Games series and one of the few who could star in a prequel movie, but casting the right actor to play him is vital. With the popularity of The Hunger Games prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, it’s worth looking at other characters from the series that would be worth exploring in more detail. Both Haymitch and Finnick are characters that have been discussed as potential leads in another spin-off story (via EW), but whether these movies ever get made remains to be seen.
Finnick, as described in the books, is extremely handsome, with bronze hair, and sea-green eyes, and the Finnick actor, Sam Claflin, delivered much of that brief. However, if a story is set detailing the events of the Hunger Games, which happened 10 years before The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the character will be 14 years old. Fortunately, there are plenty of young and talented actors who could take over the role and make it their own.
10 Ty Simpkins
Iron Man 3, Insidious, And Jurassic World
Ty Simpkins is a talented young actor who has already landed some major roles in big franchises. Ty played the young Harley Keener in Iron Man 3 opposite Robert Downey Jr. and even then, he did a fantastic job holding his own against more seasoned actors. Simpkins is now 22 years old, but he has a youthful look and a broad build that could suit the youthful but mature character of Finnick. Ty’s experience with working on horror films like Insidious would also help prepare the way for a dark and harrowing story about Finnick’s brutal Hunger Games.
9 Charlie Plummer
Looking For Alaska, Lean On Pete, And All The Money In The World
Charlie Plummer has appeared in a few notable credits, and his talent earned him a role in the movie All The Money In The World from director Ridley Scott. Plummer also has a striking resemblance to Claflin, and with his long sandy brown hair, he would make a great fit as a younger Finnick Odair. Plummer is 24, but once again, his youthful looks could help him pull off playing the younger part.
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8 Christian Convery
Sweet Tooth, And One Piece
Christian Convery is the perfect age for playing the character at just 14 years old and his youthfulness would certainly add to the story’s drama. Finnick was the youngest winner of the Hunger Games at 14 years old, and thanks to his charm and good looks, he received an incredible amount of support from the sponsors. Convery is the star of the Netflix series, Sweet Tooth and is accustomed to playing an active role, while naturally appearing charming. Having the younger actor could also make the story feel darker and more grim, which is more authentic to the novels.
7 Asher Angel
Shazam!, And Andi Mack
Asher Angel plays the younger Billy Batson in Shazam!. Asher is very handsome, just 21 years old, and has proven himself to be able to play charming, endearing characters. Another aspect of Finnick’s story is the fact that, after winning his Hunger Games, President Snow forced him into sex slavery, under the pretense of doing victory tours of the Capitol. Wealthy citizens of the Capitol could afford to have some quality time with Finnick, and in return for his companionship, Finnick traded secrets. Asher being slightly older would allow for this darker side of the story to be told.
6 Jacob Tremblay
Room, Before I Wake, And Wonder
Jacob Tremblay is one of the most talented young actors in Hollywood at just 17, with more than 40 acting credits and dozens of awards and nominations for his work. Tremblay has experience with dark roles in horrors and thrillers, and he is very capable of delivering emotional, and engaging performances. He is also very handsome and has a similar look to Claflin which would make him a great fit to play a younger version of the same character.
5 Roman Griffin Davis
Jojo Rabbit
Roman Griffin Davis landed his first major role, and made his acting debut in Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit when he was just 11 years old. He is now 16 and has landed a couple of other roles, but playing a character like Finnick could be the perfect next step in his career. Davis possesses great talent and plenty of charm, which is a vital aspect of the character for Finnick. Again, his youthfulness and seeing how young and frail a 14-year-old contender in the Hunger Games may be would be a great way to deliver the full effect of the story about children forced into a grotesque fight to the death.
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4 Mason Thames
The Black Phone, And For All Mankind
Mason is also just 16 years old and already proving himself to be a talented young actor. In 2021, he starred in the horror thriller, The Black Phone opposite Ethan Hawke. This experience in a dark, gritty film, where he plays a part in delivering terrifying themes, makes him a standout potential candidate for the role of Finnick. He has naturally brown hair, but so does Claflin, and it would be a simple matter to dye his hair for the role, aside from that, he would be another great choice to play a younger version of the popular character.
3 Alex Lange
The Unsettling, And Code Black
Alex Lange has yet to appear in a major motion picture, but his work on TV has seen him steadily grow and progress as an actor. Lange is another handsome young man who could fill the role of a dashing Finnick Odair, and at 22 years old, he could comfortably play the character through multiple important moments in his life, including the Games and what comes next for Finnick on his Capitol victory tour. While Lange hasn’t appeared in very action-intensive roles, he certainly has the right build and look for the character.
2 Max Charles
The Amazing Spider-Man, And The Lion Guard
Max Charles has had an illustrious acting career since 2010 with over 40 acting credits. Much of his work has been as a voice actor where he frequently plays leading roles, but one of his more famous on-screen roles came in the form of playing a young Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man films starring Andrew Garfield. Charles is now 20 years old with plenty of experience, and several credits in live-action roles, but a turn as Finnick could serve as his next breakout role if he were to land the gig.
1 Zackary Arthur
Transparent, Chucky, Mom And Dad, And The 5th Wave
At just 17 years old, Zackary Arthur has had an impressive career working as an actor since he was six. He has appeared in several TV shows and films across a wide variety of genres. Arthur is talented and familiar with diverse roles from action and adventure to horror thriller movies, which also makes him a great choice to appear in a prequel story to The Hunger Games. The films often span several genres, with dystopian, romance, horror, and adventure all rolled into one, and having an experienced young actor like Arthur could be a perfect casting for Finnick.
