The coveted roles of Peeta and Gale have been cast for the Hunger Games movie, according to Media Bistro. These roles round out the three main characters, with Jennifer Lawrence portraying heroine Katniss Everdeen. Lawrence was nominated for Best Actress by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for her role in Winter’s Bone but lost to a glowing and pregnant Natalie Portman.
Katniss Everdeen
The highly anticipated movie follows Katniss as she is forced to compete in the annual Hunger Games, where children from each District are chosen to fight in a televised battle to the death. Competitors are known as Tributes, and two are chosen from each District for the yearly Games.
The book trilogy is often compared to the Twilight saga for its appeal to young readers and love triangle that has readers divided between Peeta and Gale, but the characters are arguably more complex than Stephenie Meyer’s idealized paranormal creatures, and the heroine is bold, brave, and remarkably intelligent and resourceful. Things that Bella Swan is not.
Liam Hemsworth is cast as Gale Hawthorn, Katniss’ best friend. He recently appeared as Miley Cyrus’ love interest in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ The Last Song. I’m not sure how I feel about this casting . . . I imagined Gale to be a little less good-looking. More the typical guy-who-is-the-best-friend who may or may not turn out to be the love interest as the storyline develops. I mean, this guy has eyes that smolder. (and not in the Flynn Rider in Tangled kind of way, either).
Gale Hawthorn
Josh Hutcherson is Peeta Mellark, another resident from Katniss’ District 12 who must compete in the games. The two teenagers have had very little contact before their fate is irrevocably linked by the fight to the death. Hutcherson may be best known for his role in The Kids are All Right or perhaps Bridge to Terabithia. I’m not sure why, but HE looks more like the best friend.
Peeta Mellark
The role of Prim Everdeen, Katniss’ little sister, has yet to be cast, and I’m sure we’ll hear about casting for the other Tributes as time goes on. I think I’m more interested in who will portray the stylist Cinna than anyone else. Cinna’s clever designs for Katniss’ wardrobe not only draw attention to her, but the clothes truly make a statement to the eager viewers throughout the Districts and in the Capitol.
Hunger Games’ release date is scheduled for March 23, 2012.
Related:
Hailey Steinfeld in the Hunger Games?
Hunger Games: Will it be Worth the Wait