Peeta and Gale cast for Hunger Games!

[Kat]

Josh Hutcherson (The Kids are All Right) and Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song) have joined the cast of Hunger Games in the roles of Peeta Mellark and Gale Hawthorne, respectively, Lionsgate announced today in a release. Both actors will star opposite Jennifer Lawrence, who will play Katniss Everdeen, the heroine who volunteers to represent her remote district in the brutal annual survival test. Hutcherson, for one, has long thought he was right for the part: Check out his Q&A with EW’s Karen Valby at SXSW, in which the actor talks about his desire to play Peeta.

The Hunger Games, based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling trilogy, will be directed by Gary Ross and released by Lionsgate on March 23, 2012.



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I've been a big fan of Josh's since 'Little Manhatten' (this, skip to 2:13: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NybHhdt28RA) but I'm not sure about the role. I think it's mostly the age difference between him and Jennifer that's bugging me. I haven't been able to decide what I think of Liam as an actor (the whole Miley thing kind of tainted him. lol.)

We'll see. We'll see.

[onlymystory]

I don't care too much for Liam but like Jennifer's casting, I can get behind it. If nothing else Liam has two things going for him. Unlike a lot of other names, he actually has muscle and isn't scrawny (a worry I had about Peeta casting). Second, from a cynical standpoint, Peeta's biggest role is to be so in love with Katniss he'd do anything for her. Liam at least proved he could do that in The Last Song. I'll hope he can learn enough from a good acting coach by the time the third movie comes along.

The Josh Hutcherson casting however enrages me. I'm not even a Gale fan but I hate that casting.

[amandajoyce]

^ But Liam's been cast as Gale, not Peeta. Josh has been cast as Peeta. Which are both very... interesting choices. I'm not entirely sure what to think. Liam's been my pick for Peeta since I read the book, but he decided to read for the part of Gale instead, which was a pretty gutsy move. It's not the kind of part he's really done before.

[onlymystory]

Wait, what?! Okay now I'm livid. I didn't read that correctly. LIVID. Jennifer has potential and she's a good actress. But this?! ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!

[Kat]

hehe. A manipulation I found that someone made. Trying to make the actors look like people's visions of the characters or whatever:

img69.imageshack.us/img69/999/hungergamestrio.jpg

I've been reading user reactions on IMDb and it seems like people are more disgruntled about Liam's casting then Josh, even suggesting nepotism as motivation.

Also interesting, someone compiled a list of classic films that had casting people were initially unhappy about but worked out ok: www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/board/thread/180651043

Is anyone else as relieved as I am that they didn't cast Alex Pettyfer in the end?

[amandajoyce]

That manip's not too bad actually.

I'm not one of the people who is upset that they don't look like the charaacters though. I mean, casting directors for anything that's based on a book aren't going to please everyone when it comes to appearance. I didn't expect them to cast people who actually looked like the characters as they're described. It's the performances that I'm interested in.

I still want to see the film. The casting hasn't turned me off or anything. I just find the choices for the male leads... I don't know, I can't think of another word besides interesting. Haha. That's all I've got.

I am happy that Alex Pettyfer wasn't cast. He's not a horrible actor or anything. I just didn't think he was right for Peeta, which is who he was planning on going out for. Though, I don't know how he would have even had time to do the role if he was cast. He's in talks for three different franchises, if I remember correctly. All things that could have several movies if they make enough money. And I hear he's kind of expensive for someone who hasn't really proven his box office worth yet.

[Kat]

'The Hunger Games' Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth: Lionsgate defends casting

When the-powers-that-be behind "The Hunger Games" announced the casting of Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Gale, fans of the book series had a mixed reaction. We saw people lamenting everything from their acting abilities to their hair colors to their heights to their potential chemistry with lead Jennifer Lawrence.

Lionsgate Films clearly felt the backlash, as they've now released a defensive statement about the surprising choices. It features quotes from director Gary Ross, novel author Suzanne Collins, and producer Nina Jacobson.

Here's what they had to say --

Director Gary Ross: "When I read the book, I thought Peeta would be the hardest role to cast, and I feel so lucky that we found someone who embodies every aspect of such a complex character. I can't wait to work with Josh."

"Hunger Games" author Suzanne Collins: "I was fortunate enough to be in the room with Gary Ross when Josh came in to audition. Three lines into the read I knew he'd be fantastic. Josh totally captured Peeta's temperament, his sense of humor and his facility for language. I'm thrilled to have him aboard."

Producer Nina Jacobson: "Gale is a young man who uses words very sparingly, so the onus was on the actor we cast to capture him by showing, not telling. This was accomplished so beautifully in Suzanne's writing, and Liam was able to translate it so naturally to the screen. At the same time Gale's journey across the three books transforms him, and Liam's performance left no doubt that he would take us there."

[amandajoyce]

It's kind of sad to me that they've had to come out after each casting announcement and defend their decisions. I feel like they should just let people sweat it out and let the film speak for itself.

[Kat]

Apr 7, 2011 17:18:15 GMT -5 amandajoyce said:

It's kind of sad to me that they've had to come out after each casting announcement and defend their decisions. I feel like they should just let people sweat it out and let the film speak for itself.

It must be discouraging for the cast

[amandajoyce]

Yeah, I don't envy anyone who acts in a movie that has a built in fan base. Die hard fans can go crazy. It must put them under a lot of pressure.

Of course, Shay Mitchell got a lot of criticism right before Pretty Little Liars premiered as well, and now fans of the books love her. So, it's really all going to depend on the performance.

[amandajoyce]

Thought I'd give a casting update for the movie here, for anyone who is interested. Rue, Thresh, and Glimmer (three of the other tributes) have all been cast. Rue and Thresh are unknowns. Also, I read that Elizabeth Banks is in talks for Effie. So, I imagine an announcement one way or the other for that character will come soon.

Amandla Stenberg as Rue
Character Description:

The female tribute from District 11, 12-year-old Rue was small and her skills were easily underestimated by her competitors. She's smart, nimble and fast. She and Katniss create an easy bond.

Where You've Seen Stenberg Before:

She's an "unknown."

Coming Up:

'Taste of Romance'
'Colombiana'

Dayo Okeniyi as Thresh
Character Description:

Strong and burly, Thresh is the District 11 tribute who has a temporary truce with Katniss after she took care of his teammate, Rue.

Where You've Seen Okeniyi Before:

He's an "unknown."

Coming Up:

'Slew Hampshire'

Leven Rambin as Glimmer
Character Description:

Beautiful and deadly, Glimmer is the female tribute from District 1. As a "career tribute," she comes from a wealthy background and trains her entire life for the games.

Where You've Seen Rambin Before:

'One Tree Hill'
'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'

Coming Up:

'Good Morning Rabbit'

[onlymystory]

I know I'm one of those complaining but personally, I think the very fact that they feel a need to defend the casting says there's a problem. Sure, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by the cast. But its been pretty much announce a role and release a statement defending the choice. That does hint at knowing there are problems with the casting-at least as far as public perception goes.

And on the Shay Mitchell thing, like half the cast of the Vampire Diaries, I think television is a bit different. There's more time to flesh out characters and go in a different direction from the books so its easier to cast someone different. With a movie, you have a pretty straight up story to tell.

I guess my biggest thing is that one or two casting decisions that seem weird is one thing. But when nearly every role is cast with someone who doesn't seem a likely choice, that has potential for more problems. And seriously, I don't believe that the only good choices were a fully Caucasian cast. That might be my biggest frustration, that the director said they were looking for white kids. Why not look for the best?

And to be fair to fandom, this might be the first time I've seen a book fandom in such close agreement about casting choices. (what we wanted, not who was ultimately cast)

[Kat]

Apr 20, 2011 16:55:11 GMT -5 onlymystory said:

I know I'm one of those complaining but personally, I think the very fact that they feel a need to defend the casting says there's a problem. Sure, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by the cast. But its been pretty much announce a role and release a statement defending the choice. That does hint at knowing there are problems with the casting-at least as far as public perception goes.

And on the Shay Mitchell thing, like half the cast of the Vampire Diaries, I think television is a bit different. There's more time to flesh out characters and go in a different direction from the books so its easier to cast someone different. With a movie, you have a pretty straight up story to tell.

I guess my biggest thing is that one or two casting decisions that seem weird is one thing. But when nearly every role is cast with someone who doesn't seem a likely choice, that has potential for more problems. And seriously, I don't believe that the only good choices were a fully Caucasian cast. That might be my biggest frustration, that the director said they were looking for white kids. Why not look for the best?

And to be fair to fandom, this might be the first time I've seen a book fandom in such close agreement about casting choices. (what we wanted, not who was ultimately cast)

Haven't they just cast two African Americans this week? It's definitely not going to be an all caucasion cast.

[onlymystory]

They did but it was for the two roles that were very clearly black roles. I meant the main cast, which in the books comes across (at least in Gale & Katniss's case) as more ethnically ambiguous but the director said they'd chosen to specifically go with Caucasians for the main roles. That seems problematic to me.

[Kat]

Apr 21, 2011 2:00:40 GMT -5 onlymystory said:

They did but it was for the two roles that were very clearly black roles. I meant the main cast, which in the books comes across (at least in Gale & Katniss's case) as more ethnically ambiguous but the director said they'd chosen to specifically go with Caucasians for the main roles. That seems problematic to me.

I could swear I remember the book mentioning Katniss being blonde once. I remember because I (as a brunette) was disappointed.

[amandajoyce]

Apr 20, 2011 16:55:11 GMT -5 onlymystory said:

I know I'm one of those complaining but personally, I think the very fact that they feel a need to defend the casting says there's a problem. Sure, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by the cast. But its been pretty much announce a role and release a statement defending the choice. That does hint at knowing there are problems with the casting-at least as far as public perception goes.

And on the Shay Mitchell thing, like half the cast of the Vampire Diaries, I think television is a bit different. There's more time to flesh out characters and go in a different direction from the books so its easier to cast someone different. With a movie, you have a pretty straight up story to tell.

I guess my biggest thing is that one or two casting decisions that seem weird is one thing. But when nearly every role is cast with someone who doesn't seem a likely choice, that has potential for more problems. And seriously, I don't believe that the only good choices were a fully Caucasian cast. That might be my biggest frustration, that the director said they were looking for white kids. Why not look for the best?

And to be fair to fandom, this might be the first time I've seen a book fandom in such close agreement about casting choices. (what we wanted, not who was ultimately cast)

No, No, I get what you're saying completely. I didn't really mean that fans shouldn't complain. I just meant that, in general, I feel bad for the actors who are going to get so much criticism when they step into a role that so many people have such clear ideas on. I mean, as an actor, they go into the auditions trying to do their best, so they're each going to think they're perfect for the part, just because of how much they want it. So, I think it would be really hard to be told by the people in charge of the movie that they think you're right, only to have legions of fans say you're crap.

But... I do think the studio needs to stop making statements to defend its choices, and just let the work speak for itself once they start. If they really think they found the right people for the part, then that will come across on screen next year. They shouldn't have to defend the casting choices. (Notice they haven't done it with any of the smaller parts that have been cast so far, even though some of those are getting complaints as well.)

Honestly, though I'm not entirely happy about the leads, I think from an acting standpoint, they have potential. Do I think they are the perfect choices for the parts? No. And like you, kind of still annoyed that they wanted all three of them to be Caucasian, but, to an extent, I get it. American studios like to go for what they think "the norm" is for their leads, whether they're right or not.

And you're absolutely right about TV giving more of a chance to flesh out characters. That's actually why I prefer the story telling format of a series, to be honest. I like that you get to know a character gradually, that development doesn't have to be the shallow "getting to know you" that happens in the first five minutes of a movie. I think it allows for more detail oriented story telling as well.

Though I don't agree that the fandom was in close agreement on who they wanted to see in the roles. So many of the main characters sparked heated debates in comments sections anywhere that sites were posting those cast your own movie things. (I mean, for Katniss alone, there was so much talk about Kaya Scodelario, Lyndsy Fonseca, Chloe Moretz, Hailee Steinfeld, Nina Dobrev, and Emma Roberts. And a lot of that was on fansites.) I will say, there were probably five or six front runners for each of the roles, and none of them were cast, but I think no matter what, the majority of fans of the books were going to be unhappy anyway.