In the upcoming blockbuster The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, Sam Claflin plays victor and Capitol adored dreamboat Finnick Odair, a District 4 tribute whose sexy smile hides a lot of secrets. But it turns out that Claflin came close to knowing nothing. Which is to say he could have been Game of Thrones' Jon Snow.
When I sat down to talk to Sam Claflin about The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, he mentioned how this marks he and Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer's second collaboration, following Lone Scherfig's drama The Riot Club. Oh and by the way, he's got another drama coming up (Me Before You) that will co-star the Mother of Dragons herself, Emilia Clarke. So, I asked if he had interest in becoming their Game of Thrones co-star as well. Claflin surprised me by saying, the British actor already auditioned for the show back when it was casting its first season. He explained:
Sam Claflin: I think I speak on behalf of every British actor when I say, we all auditioned for it.CINEMA BLEND: Who did you audition for?I auditioned for Jon Snow, I believe and Emilia’s character’s...Khal Drogo?No, no, no. I don’t think I could have pulled that off. (He chuckles.)Her brother?Her brother, yeah. So, I auditioned for two different parts at once. But I think Snow White and the Huntsman--or was it Pirates of the Caribbean?--one of the two happened, so therefore...You weren’t even eligible anymore?I sort of did my first auditions and I sort of went quiet basically, but I’m kind of glad. I like getting into things like that (as a viewer) and not being a part, because I always find it’s very jarring if I was part of it. But I’m a big fan.It’s a great show. So, are you hoping you’ll be able to get another callback as the seasons go on?It depends. There is so much more to come and so many more interesting characters. What I love about it is that it’s kept on its feet, like the Hunger Games. There’s no way of predicting what’s about to happen next. It’s a matter of, there are so many shocks and surprises, which is what I think is great.
It's surprising to hear Sam Claflin was called in for two Game of Thrones roles that are so different from each other. On the one hand, you have Jon Snow, an earnest, somber good guy, devoted to family and honor. On the other you have Viserys Targaryen, an entitled, power-hungry egomaniac who pimps out his own sister for political gain. I mean, what do these two characters even have in common, except…could this be an unintended hint that a certain fan theory about Jon Snow's mother is true?!
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 opens everywhere Friday. We'll bring you more from Jeffrey Wright and Sam Claflin later this week.
