Sam Claflin Has a Message for ‘The Hunger Games’ Star Mckenna Grace After Her Finnick Odair Costume

Mckenna Grace has been getting plenty of attention lately, and her latest transformation is a nod to one of the most popular characters in Panem. The actress recently posted a video of herself dressed as Finnick Odair, complete with a blonde wig, a chunky necklace and a bare-chested look inspired by the District 4 victor’s famous introduction. For a fan favorite who is about to appear in the franchise herself, it was a fitting tribute.

Grace is not a random cosplayer here. She stars in ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping‘ as Maysilee Donner, and the prequel arrives in theaters on November 20. Directed by Francis Lawrence, it follows the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and features a cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons and Kieran Culkin.

The part that sent fans into a frenzy came in the comments. Sam Claflin, the actor who originated Finnick on screen, left a short note under the post. His reaction was a fiery thumbs-up to the costume, and Grace answered with a joke about trying to play it cool and failing.

It’s a small exchange, but it works because of the history behind it. Claflin was cast as Finnick in August 2012, and the role was widely described as one of the most sought-after parts in ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’. A long list of rumored actors came and went before Lionsgate confirmed him, which made the reveal a major moment for fans.

Finnick’s debut in ‘Catching Fire’ remains iconic. Claflin first appears in a fishnet-style outfit, and he has talked about how a whole day of shooting that scene involved a large number of sugar cubes. He has also admitted he was nervous about living up to the character’s reputation for good looks.

That is exactly the energy Grace’s video captures. The costume leans into the necklace, the swagger and the teasing sugar-cube bit that fans associate with Finnick. For anyone who grew up with the movies, it reads as an affectionate tribute rather than a joke at the character’s expense.

The timing couldn’t be better for Grace. ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ is set decades before Katniss’s story, and it touches the Finnick connection directly. Lili Taylor plays Mags, the District 4 victor who mentors Haymitch and, later, Finnick.

That makes Grace’s costume feel like a natural promotional moment as well as a fan gesture. Her character, Maysilee Donner, belongs to the prequel era, while Finnick belongs to the later films. Seeing the two eras meet in a single Instagram post is exactly the kind of crossover the fandom tends to love.

The costume video comes at the end of a very full stretch for the actress. She turned 20 this summer, and her recent film credits include ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ and ‘Scream 7’. She has also released music, including her debut EP ‘Bittersweet 16’.

She has spoken in the past about being a huge fan of the franchises she joins, and ‘The Hunger Games’ appears to be no different. Dressing as Finnick fits that pattern of embracing the fandom she is now part of. It also gives audiences one more reason to be excited for the prequel’s opening week.

Witness the beginning of the revolution. #TheHungerGames: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters & IMAX November 20. https://t.co/fKCrWXIk3T

— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) September 16, 2026

Reaction to the exchange has centered on how wholesome it feels. A well-known actor responding to a fan-made tribute, and the tribute-maker admitting she couldn’t stay calm, makes for a moment that fans can share. It also brings Claflin back into a conversation about ‘The Hunger Games’ just as a new chapter arrives.

The question now is whether more cast members from the original films will weigh in as the prequel opens. With ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ days away, fans will likely get plenty more crossover moments. For now, Grace’s Finnick look has already made its mark.

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