'Hunger Games' Movie Finds Its Rue, Thresh

Amandla Stenberg, left, and Dayo Okeniyi

Lionsgate has cast two more characters in its big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games novels.

The District 11 tributes, Rue and Thresh, will be played by newcomers Amandla Stenberg and Dayo Okeniyi, respectively. The pair joins previously cast District 12 tributes, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), along with Katniss’ hunting partner Gale (Liam Hemsworth).

Stenberg recently finished filming Colombiana, starring Zoe Saldana. Okeniyi has starred in the short film Eyes to See.

In Hunger Games, Rue becomes Katniss’ eventual ally, but things get hairy at the end of the Games for the 12-year-old girl. Thresh, in the book, is known to be an intimidating and physically strong tribute.

Lionsgate made the announcement on the official Hunger Games page on Facebook and will continue to unveil castings on the site.

Hunger Games, being directed by Gary Ross and produced by Nina Jacobson, will be in theaters March 23, 2012. 

Okeniyi is repped by David Sweeney and Kanica Suy at Sweeney Entertainment.

Email: philiana.ng@thr.com