GLAM LIST WEEKLY

GLAM LIST WEEKLY: You’ve been part of such an iconic movie franchise as The Hunger Games, what’s been the most rewarding aspect of it?

SAM CLAFLIN: Oh gosh, I definitely think it was the fan reaction. A lot of them were not a fan of me being cast as Finnick and I had moments where I felt like I wanted to quit because if the fans don't love you, then that could be detrimental to future roles but I think after Catching Fire came out and they saw how I portrayed him, they embraced me and Finnick and it became this instant love connection. He got the short stick in the end but died protecting his friends and I think that is how it should have been. I can't help but wish he would have gotten his own spin off though, a sort of prequel to his life.

GLW: How do your prepare for your roles? Is the process different when you take on a brand new character than when you take on one from a beloved book?

SC: I always do a little bit of research into the character and who they are before I put my acting shoes on. For Finnick, I read the books several times and tried to imagine myself in his shoes, how would he act, his mannerisms and behaviors, I tried to figure out why he acted the way he did, for what purpose, as I do for all my characters. Its definitely easier to slip into a character when they are written out on pages of books. With new characters, I just bring parts of myself into them, how would I act in that scenario, what would I do, you know?

GLW: Who do you get your style inspiration from?

SC: I do not think I have a style at all! I'm a jeans and tshirt kind of bloke. I wear what's comfortable. Never been much of a brand guy to be honest. If it fits, I'm wearing it. For important events though, well, let's just say I'm grateful for my stylist because she's kept me from making the worst dressed list on numerous occasions.

GLW: Whenever you have downtime, what is your favorite way to spend it? Do you prefer to stay at home or vacation somewhere?

SC: Anytime I get a chance to spend time with my kids is my favorite. I'm definitely an introvert so staying home with a good book or catching up on my favorite shows is the desired activity but who doesn't love vacation? When I find myself with a lot of empty slots on my calendar, I'll book a vacation to somewhere, I never have a destination in mind, I let the globe decide. Its cliché but I close my eyes and throw a dart at it and wherever it lands, I go.

GLW: Where did you grow up, and is it important for you to make sure that your children experience similar things you did as a child? Are there any traditions you’ve carried on to your own family?

SC: I was born in Ipswich, in Suffolk, and it wasn't some glamorous life. My dad was a finance officer and my mum was a teaching assistant. I was the third of four children, all boys, so you can imagine the amount of shite we got up to. I will never deny my kids anything but now that I'm a father, there are definitely some things I did as a child that I think back to and was like 'why did my parents let me do this?! This is insane!' and then I look at Pip and Margot and I would never let them do it, no way. There's one thing that I told myself I would teach my kids once they got old enough to understand what I was saying and that is how to cook. I think its a necessity to know. I'm not saying they have to become chefs but you need to know the basics if you want to survive. Besides, I had some fond memories of cooking in the kitchen with my mum.

GLW: If your kids wanted to go into acting, would you let them? What advice would you give?

SC: If they're anything like me, I don't think there is anything that would stop them, even me. I always want them to follow their heart and do what makes them happy so if they wanted to act, I would of course be supportive but I would also feel a bit responsible to properly prepare them for it. Because for every high, there is also a low and its my job as a parent to help them navigate the lows, to tell them that just because you didn't get the job, you shouldn't give up on your dream. Mine was taken from me because of injury but I don't regret choosing acting.

GLW: Is there a piece of advice that has always stuck with you, perhaps one that helped you further your career as an actor?

SC: My first acting role, two different people told me something that has stuck with me. The first was 'Keep your feet on the ground. Stay grounded. Remember where you came from.' That was so profound for me at the time because I come from humble beginnings and I don't need a house in every state, can you imagine? Too many rooms to clean, no thank you. The other piece of advice that I received from someone I admired was 'There will be times when you just can't seem to land an acting job, and you feel like giving up. Don't! The only way to realise that dream is to keep working hard for it.' Both of those sayings are painted on my walls at my home because they were just so good and I wouldn't be sitting here right now if it wasn't for them telling me this.

GLW: Do you prefer dramatic or comedic roles more? Why? What genre would you like to try that you haven't done much of before?

SC: I love taking on roles that speak to me, no matter what the genre is. If I'm handed a script and asked to read for a certain role, I give it everything I've got. I started off my career as the heartthrob, snatching up roles just to have them because I wanted to make a name for myself but now, I've started branching out, playing roles that you wouldn't expect. Like, seeing me in Pirates and then now as Oswald, its like two different people. I never imagined myself playing a Fascist on television but here I am and I love it. These villian roles are quickly becoming a favorite of mine though but shh, don't tell anyone. Is a musical considered a genre? I've done horror, romcom, drama, period... I would love to be in a musical, even though I really can't sing.

GLW: What’s the most influential project you’ve been a part of?

SC: Me Before You. I think the message was extremely powerful and I felt incredibly honored to play Will Trainor. In my research while preparing for he role, I met a lot of amazing quadrapeligics who didn't let their disability stop them from living their life and even though Will was the opposite, it was inspiring to hear their stories and go on that emotional journey with them. I came out of those meetings just in awe and I was truly changed that day because it makes you think about all the little things we have that we take for granted that they'll never get to experience again and it makes you think about your own life a little bit. It was a journey I didn't expect to go on and one that will stay with me forever, I was so proud of this role and that I got to bring this incredible love story to life.

GLW: If you had to switch places with another famous person, who would you switch places with and why?