Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson have been cast in the movie adaptation of “The Hunger Games,” the addictive young-adult science fiction novel trilogy written by Suzanne Collins.
Liam Hemsworth will play Gale Hawthorne and Josh Hutcherson will play Peeta Mellark. The two male leads is set to join Jennifer Lawrence, who will play the main character Katniss Everdeen.
The Hunger Games is set in a futuristic world run by a powerful government that annually held the Hunger Games Tournament, a televised competition where teenage participants fight to death. The book focus on the three characters Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, and Gale Hawthorne.
Liam Hemsworth is an Australian actor who appeared opposite Miley Cyrus (his ex-girlfriend) in “The Last Song.” He also appeared in the soap opera Neighbours and on the children’s television series The Elephant Princess.
Josh Hutcherson is best known for his roles in films like Little Manhattan, Zathura, RV, Firehouse Dog, Bridge to Terabithia, Journey to the Center of the Earth and Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant.
Lionsgate will release “The Hunger Games” on March 23, 2012.
Lionsgate’s release:
THE HUNGER GAMES SNARES ITS PEETA AND GALE
Pivotal Roles In The Lionsgate® Film Based On Suzanne Collins’ Runaway Bestselling Novel Go To Talented Young Actors Josh Hutcherson And Liam Hemsworth
LOS ANGELES, CA, April 4, 2011- Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES are pleased to announce that actor Josh Hutcherson (THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT) has been cast in the role of Peeta Mellark, with Liam Hemsworth (THE LAST SONG) joining the film in the role of Gale Hawthorne in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel. Both actors will star opposite Jennifer Lawrence, who it was recently announced will play heroine Katniss Everdeen.
About The Characters
Peeta accompanies heroine Katniss Everdeen into the 74th annual Hunger Games as the male tribute chosen from their native District 12, the most remote and marginalized district of all the subjugated districts of Panem. At the outset of the Games, Peeta publicly confesses his longtime feelings for Katniss, setting up one of the most fascinating fictional rapports of all time with his supposed arena rival.
Though Katniss and Gale have never had a romantic relationship, they share a transcendent bond, often of few words. When Katniss volunteers to participate in the 74th Annual Hunger Games in her younger sister’s stead, they both presume that bond will carry her far through the horrors she will face in the arena, and they each silently hope they’ll be reunited in safety on the other side of the ordeal.
About The Film
THE HUNGER GAMES will be directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Collins’ best-selling novel, which has over 3 million copies in print in the United States alone, is the first in a trilogy of science fiction/action novels which have developed a global following.
“The Hunger Games” chronicles a dystopic Capitol which requires its twelve subjugated districts to pay tribute in the form of a teenage boy and girl, forced to participate in the annual “Hunger Games,” a fight-to-the-death live televised event. Katniss Everdeen’s little sister is chosen in the lottery to participate and Katniss volunteers to take her place. Although persevering through hardship is commonplace for Katniss, she must start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love in order to win the games and return home. The Hunger Games novel has been on the New York Times best seller list for over 100 consecutive weeks. Foreign rights for the book, published by Scholastic have been sold in 41 countries.
Lionsgate will release “The Hunger Games” on March 23, 2012.






