'The Hunger Games' filmmakers respond to casting of Peeta & Gale
Fans may not be sold yet on the casting of Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Gale in The Hunger Games movie, but filmmakers are positive they've made the right choice -- and they're speaking up today to prove it. The Hunger Games Examiner reached out to Lionsgate to hear what filmmakers had to say about the casting decision, and they were quick to respond.
"When I read the book, I thought Peeta would be the hardest role to cast," Hunger Games director Gary Ross said in a statement to the Hunger Games Examiner. "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.”
Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins is also thrilled with Hutcherson's portrayal of Peeta. When asked to respond to the casting news, she had nothing but praise. "I was fortunate enough to be in the room with Gary Ross when Josh came in to audition," Collins said. "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."
Filmmakers are also defending their choice of Hemsworth as Gale. Most U.S. fans only know him from his performance in 2009's The Last Song, but filmmakers say Hemsworth showed them he has the skills to capture the essence of Gale.
"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. This was accomplished so beautifully in Suzanne’s writing, and Liam was able to translate it so naturally to the screen," Hunger Games producer Nina Jacobson said. "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.”
Hopefully the words of Ross, Collins and Jacobson can help put any lingering doubts at ease for fans -- at least to give filmmakers enough time to start work on The Hunger Games movie.
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"When I read the book, I thought Peeta would be the hardest role to cast," Hunger Games director Gary Ross said in a statement to the Hunger Games Examiner. "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.”
Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins is also thrilled with Hutcherson's portrayal of Peeta. When asked to respond to the casting news, she had nothing but praise. "I was fortunate enough to be in the room with Gary Ross when Josh came in to audition," Collins said. "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."
Filmmakers are also defending their choice of Hemsworth as Gale. Most U.S. fans only know him from his performance in 2009's The Last Song, but filmmakers say Hemsworth showed them he has the skills to capture the essence of Gale.
"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. This was accomplished so beautifully in Suzanne’s writing, and Liam was able to translate it so naturally to the screen," Hunger Games producer Nina Jacobson said. "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.”
Hopefully the words of Ross, Collins and Jacobson can help put any lingering doubts at ease for fans -- at least to give filmmakers enough time to start work on The Hunger Games movie.
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