Traveling from high school drama to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Salimou Thiam embarks on his cinematic journey.
In an exciting turn of events, 19-year-old German actor Salimou Thiam has secured his first speaking role in a Hollywood blockbuster. Thiam, who captured the hearts of many as BMX rider and rapper Ben in the teen spin-off of the RTL series "Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten" called "Uferpark," will now be seen in "The Hunger Games."
The journey to this milestone began in school theater, where Thiam's passion for acting was ignited at the tender age of eight, inspired by the role of young Simba in "The Lion King." His talent was recognised by his mother and peers, and it wasn't long before he landed his first leading role.
The breakthrough came when US director Francis Lawrence, who helmed several instalments of "The Hunger Games," extended an invitation for the next round of casting. On May 18, 2025, Thiam received a call from his agent about this opportunity. With only 20 minutes to prepare, he recorded a casting video and sent a 12-second clip. His bold move paid off, as he was soon selected to play the introverted character Clayton from District 9 in the dystopian trilogy.
The historical fortress of Sparrenburg in Bielefeld could serve as a suitable motif for a short film or a Hollywood blockbuster like "The Hunger Games." Thiam was recently spotted at this tourist attraction, greeting a photographer's child with a friendly handshake.
Thiam's move to Berlin could be imminent due to more projects there. Currently, he is filming an episode of the RTL+ crime series "Behringer and the Dead" in Bavaria. In the coming weeks, he will also shoot a short film in Bielefeld with local city theater actors.
Jacqueline Rietz, the casting director, describes Thiam as a "young, exciting actor." The second novel in the series, "Sunrise on the Reaping," is currently being filmed in Spain, among other places. "The Hunger Games" is set to hit theaters in November 2026 and features stars like Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, and Jesse Plemons.
Thiam's rise to fame has been swift, and he has been recognised on the street after the airing of "Uferpark" on the streaming service RTL+ and the children's channel Toggo. As he prepares for his Hollywood debut, Thiam remains humble and grateful, ready to take on the challenges that come with being a part of one of the most anticipated films of the year.
