Why Liam Hemsworth Won ‘Hunger Games’ Role

Suzanne Collins is thrilled with the news that Josh Hutcherson  and Liam Hemsworth have been cast in the highly anticipated big screen adaptation of her book, The Hunger Games.

Hutcherson, who most recently appeared in The Kids Are All Right, is taking on the role of Peeta.   “I was fortunate enough to be in the room with [director] Gary Ross when Josh came in to audition,” Collins tells EW in a statement. “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.”   Director Ross echoes that sentiment, saying that: “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.”   And Hemsworth is a perfect fit for the role of Gale, says producer Nina Jacobs.   “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,” she tells EW. “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.”