For the those have not read Suzanne Collins’ addictive YA trilogy (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mocking Jay), The Hunger Games centers on 16-year-old, Katniss Everdeen, an impoverished teen living in the tattered remains of the United States. She lives in a world that is controlled by the far off and tyrannical Capital, a place of power that exerts its influence each year with a nationally televised torment called the Hunger Games. In the games, two “tributes” from each district are sent into a kill-or-be-killed battle for survival. The really sickening twist: the tributes are children ranging from 12 to 18 years of age. Katniss willingly enters this oft-fatal fray to save her sister from that fate, and finds herself risking more than her life as she fights to survive.
Lionsgate is hoping its upcoming Hunger Games adaptation will lure in kids and adults en masse as Harry Potter and Twilight have, and thus prove to be the next cross-demo franchise phenomenon. As buzz builds the cast rumors/suggestions are flying, and the fandom surrounding the series is sparking controversy on par with the fervor over David Fincher’s Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Lisbeth Salander choice (which seems to have settled since these pics surfaced).
The first book’s film adaptation is set to hit theaters in 2013, leaving plenty of time to speculate on casting. But why wait? As its very early in the casting stage, this list is admittedly wild speculation culled from much web browsing and conversations with ardent Hunger Games fans. Consider it a wish list for what the book deserves. (Special thanks to those who voiced their picks!)
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KATNISS EVERDEEN
The books center on the tender yet tenacious Katniss Everdeen. A masterful huntress and a dyed-in-the-wool survivor, Katniss is described as having dark hair and a gruff exterior – but she comes to life with the right wardrobe!
The Favorite: Early favorites in the Katniss casting pool are It-Girl Hit-Girl, Chloe Moretz and True Grit’s Hailee Steinfeld. However, both are a bit young for the role, as Katniss is 16 at the start of book one. Plus, with both being on the upswing of their careers, it’s unlikely they’d want to lock on to what’s sure to be a franchise contract.
Other Possibilities: Sucker Punch‘s Emily Browning, Saoirse Ronan (Hanna), Emma Roberts (It’s Kind of a Funny Story), or Dakota Fanning, who showed her edgy grrrl side in The Runaways. Basically any budding ingénue seems to be fair game.
My pick: Jennifer Lawrence of Winter’s Bone. She’s already proven she can do a lot with an introverted character, and showed both grit and vulnerability as the Ozarks amateur sleuth, Ree Dolly. However, I think Lawrence is looking for more adult roles as she’s already playing Mystique in the upcoming X-Men: First Class and readily posed for scandalous pics to prove she’s more than a gritty Southern belle.
The Reality: It’s likely the lead won’t go to a name, as it’ll be a locked-in contract for three pictures, and many of these ladies are looking to make the leap from kid movies to leading lady roles. Instead, expect a TV actress or a total unknown.
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PEETA MELLARK
Peeta is a blonde baker, who is sent to the Hunger Games alongside Katniss. He’s a sweet but hardly a pushover. Peeta is often what keeps Katniss from losing her sense of humanity in the midst of the brutal games.
The Favorite: Early buzz centered on The Kids Are All Right’s Josh Hutcherson, but the dark-haired actor doesn’t fit the standard description of Peeta. Will fans care?
Other Possibilities: A lot of fan fervor surrounds teen/tween TV stars I am not familiar with.
My Pick(s): While a lot of lists are pulling from teen and tween TV shows for their Peeta pick, I think an actor with indie cred could go a long way into pulling in adult audiences. To that end, my picks are Kick-Ass’s Aaron Johnson, Charlie Bartletts’ Anton Yelchin, or Restless’ Henry Hopper. Johnson has pulled off vulnerable but tough before, and with the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, he’s likely to have earned a larger girl-based fan following. Yelchin’s charming yet sharp, and Hopper is largely untested, but has the right look for the hopelessly romantic baker boy.
The Reality: This is a role for a cute boy tween and teen girls will buy posters of. Hopefully this won’t prevent the producers from picking a worthy actor to take on the role of The Hunger Games‘ moral center.
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GALE HAWTHORNE
Gale is Katniss’ dark-haired best friend and hunting partner, and Peeta’s rival for her affections. While Peeta persistently pulls for diplomacy, Gale hungers for a fight. He’s the bad boy in the HG love triangle, and is later mistaken for a relative of Katniss’.
The Favorite: No clear favorite yet!
Other Possibilities: Twilight’s Taylor Lautner, Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian), Gaspard Ulliel (Hannibal Rising), Tom Felton (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1), but many of these blokes seem a bit long in the tooth to play teens opposite the proposed leading ladies.
My Pick: Some have called out Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are Alright) as a possible Peeta, but I think he’s a better fit for Gale. Hutcherson’s dark locks and penetrating eyes would work well for this complicated and pragmatic brooder.
The Reality: Once again, this is really casting the players for the next Team Edward vs. Team Jacob battle. So finding a guy that girls will swoon over will play a huge role in casting. Hopefully, the producers won’t discard the interest of their potential adult viewing audience, who hopes for more compelling performances than Twilight provides.
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HAYMITCH ABERNATHY
Described as an oft-drunk, overweight, middle-aged man, Haymitch serves as Katniss’ father figure and general antagonist. Despite his haggard appearance, this bloated bruiser was once a champion.
The Favorite: Early front-runner is Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr., as he’s made an art of being obnoxious yet charming.
Other Possibilities: When I polled Hunger Games fans, I got a very diverse list of picks for this beloved rogue. Some favored a more restrained grump, like Alan Rickman, while others wanted a ragged but deviantly debonair curmudgeon like Hugh Laurie’s House. Convention suggested Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter’s Hagrid) or Jeff Bridges, while one adventurous reader assured me aging action star Bruce Willis was the only man who could play the Haymitch she saw in her head. This last pick intrigues me as I generally appreciate Willis’ comedic turns, and Haymitch is likely to have his fair share of sardonic barbs.
My Pick: While there are some great casting possibilities above, I find myself rooting for modern cinema’s most lovable of middle-aged underdogs, Paul Giamatti. I’d love to see him schlub it up as this groaning trainer and feel he’d bring a lot of punch to a role that I worry may be underwritten in the this first film foray.
The Reality: There is a long list of character actors who could do great things with this gruff but lovable tyrant. This may be the role I’m most excited to hear casting news on, as it may give the best indication to the tone of this adaptation.
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EFFIE TRINKET
The bright and bubbly PR rep for Katniss and Peeta as they go about the required Hunger Games media circuit, Effie is both gratingly chipper and persistently clueless, but still manages to be likable as she is one of the few spots of levity in this dark trilogy.
The Favorite: The vivacious and viciously funny Elizabeth Banks is oft mentioned.
Other Possibilities: Effie is at once light and tenacious, so the suggested actresses range from sprightly songstress Kristin Chenoweth, to the daffy yet endearing Gemma Jones, to the sharp and witty Allison Janney. Basically the field appears to be wide open.
My Pick: Hands down: Judy Greer. This sharp comedienne snagged my attention as the loser-turned-mean girl Fern in 1999’s Jawbreaker (remember that?), and won my absolute devotion with her sidesplitting turn as the flashing mistress, Kitty Sanchez, in Arrested Development. Greer’s ability to do broad comedy in an incisive manner makes her my ideal Effie.
The Reality: This round may go to Banks.
Now we’re getting down to the more tertiary characters, of which the discussion of casting has been less widespread. These parts may be smaller, but are still key to painting the world of Panem.
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PRESIDENT SNOW
The gruesome ruler of the Capital and its outlying districts, he smells of blood and looks like death.
Again, fan responses presented an interesting array of actors. The most obvious choice seems to be Bill Nighy, who recently played a stooped Minister of Magic in Harry Potter 7.1. Another solid casting call is Peter O’Toole, who exuded menace from his deathbed in Stardust and from a cartoon alter-ego in Ratatouille . But the most compelling suggestion I’ve heard was Steve Buscemi. Known for his frantic filmic freak-outs, Buscemi has evolved into a subtler actor, and I’d be interested in seeing his glower power applied to the malicious Snow.
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CINNA
A fan favorite, Cinna is a costume designer from the capital who proves to be a true friend to the far-from-home heroine.
When I asked fans who they had in mind for Cinna, they often paused for an extended period of consideration, such is the devotion to this sleek and sassy comrade. The most exciting suggestions were Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek). Tucci has played a clothes-loving confidante before, and I’m sure he’d be a great addition to the cast (or any cast for that matter), but with Haymitch being well-established as middle-aged, my guess is casting directors will be shooting for a younger man for the role. For me, the dapper Quinto would be a keen choice.
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KATNISS’S MOTHER
A small part to be sure, Mrs. Everdeen is so destroyed by her dire straits that she is practically comatose, leaving Katniss to care for the family largely on her own. (Much like Ree in Winter’s Bone!) Once a beautiful and talented healer, the elder Everdeen is now a worn down husk of a woman.
Entertainment Weekly’s pick is Robin Wright, but I don’t know that I’d buy Wright as broken down. Fan picks Laura Linney and Christina Hendricks strike me as far more enticing options for the vulnerable Mrs. E.
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PRIMROSE EVERDEEN
Katniss’s sweet-faced little sister, who is only 12 years old.
Not much speculation on this role yet, but the early favorite is Elle Fanning.
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RUE
Like Prim, Rue is among the youngest eligible for the brutal Hunger Games. She reminds Katniss of her sister, though she is described as having “dark eyes and satiny brown skin.” This silent but sharp survivor also has a hauntingly beautiful singing voice.
The only pick I’ve seen get any traction is hair-whipper Willow Smith. While I know some are over the Smith family and all their productions, I like Willow, and think her clear self-confidence would well-suit Rue.
So those are my thoughts. What are yours?
Who would you like to see in The Hunger Games? Add your cast picks in comments.