First Glimpse at Katniss and Finnick in 'Catching Fire'

The folks over at Entertainment Weekly managed to score Lionsgate’s first two official images for the next installment in the Hunger Games trilogy (well, quadrilogy), Catching Fire. At this point you’ve probably seen the original film, which means you probably are well-acquainted with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) by now– so let me introduce you to Finnick Odair (Sam Clafin, of Snow White and the Huntsman), a former victor of the titular games and, as the book emphasizes repeatedly, one handsome son of a gun.

How does Finnick figure into a story where Katniss already has two potential love interests? Good question. Turns out he’s a past victor of the Games himself, having won at the tender young age of 14 thanks to skills he acquired in his fishing village home, District 4. He’s also (seemingly) arrogant and more than a bit of a flirt, though we come to learn that there’s more to him than his cocksure veneer suggests; once the story’s central conceit kicks in, he quickly becomes an ally of Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and remains one of the most popular characters in Suzanne Collins’ books.

One of the two images (seen above) hints at his more libidinous side while also making it clear that Katniss isn’t buying what he’s selling. It’s a nice little screen grab, minimal but still effective at conveying one of Finnick’s more defining traits as a character. At the very least, it’s a stronger image than EW’s cover shot (apart from the flaming river of fire and Lawrence’s trademarked stoicism, that is):

They look ready for battle, don’t they? I don’t know if that visual comprises a spoiler of any sort if you haven’t read the books, but there can’t really be a Hunger Games novel without young people going into an arena to fight other human beings to the death– and if you saw Gary Ross’ film, it’s really clear that the 74th Hunger Games were just the beginning of Katniss’ conflict with President Snow and the Capitol. Catching Fire hits theaters November 22 this year; occupy yourself by reading the below synopsis as well as the book itself:

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.

(Source: Coming Soon)