Woody Harrelson Cast as Haymitch
While there has been increasing speculation over who will be cast in the plum role of Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games, it appears that the role has been given to Woody Harrelson.
For those of you unfamiliar with The Hunger Games, Haymitch was the only living Hunger Games victor from District 12 at the beginning of the Hunger Games trilogy. As a result of the terrors that he endured in the Hunger Games, Haymitch has become an alcoholic and generally unreliable. He’s described as being “paunchy” and middle-aged. District 12 is the home of the main characters, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Because of this, Haymitch becomes their mentor.
This is huge casting news, although other notable names such as Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson, and Wes Bentley have already been cast. It’s hard to view The Hunger Games as “the next Twilight” with names like that attached to the first movie!
Do you agree or disagree with this casting?
Since the announcement earlier this week that Peeta will be played by Josh Hutcherson and Gale will be played by Liam Hemsworth, many different sites have weighed in with their reactions. Here are a few of our favorite reads (after the official press 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.
[click to continue…]
Gabriel Liotta as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games?
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb.com) is now officially listing Gabriel Liotta as Peeta Mellark in the upcoming Hunger Games Movie. He is the first actor to be listed in the much-speculated-about cast.
Liotta’s biography gives his date of birth as March 17, 1992, and his work includes mainly television including Big Love, Law & Order, Big Time Rush, The Mentalist, The O.C., and Lipstick Jungle.
We’ll post more once we can get a more official confirmation. What do you think of the casting choice?
Read the full IMDb.com Hunger Games listing.
