One of the most anticipated movies to hit theaters in 2012 is The Hunger Games, based on the incredible book series by Suzanne Collins. Collins developed a futuristic society where danger is always lurking just around the corner, while its central characters struggle with the obstacles of teen romance. Collins completes her creation with evil presidents, fights to the death, and cute baker boys.
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark from District 12 are the “star-crossed lovers” of the 74th annual Hunger Games. Two tributes—a boy and a girl—are chosen from each of the twelve districts to compete in a fight to the death on live television. The Games pits each tribute against one another in a deadly arena designed by “game makers”. There used to be only one victor until Peeta and Katniss are chosen as District 12’s tributes. In order to survive, they convince everyone at the Capitol that they are deeply in love, which makes viewers more sympathetic to their cause. Yet fighting off attacks from other tributes and staying alive through the Games’ duration became both a top priority and a full time job.
Katniss is played by a talented actress from Louisville, Kentucky—Jennifer Lawrence. Katnisss is supposed to be a girl who is naturally beautiful but somewhat tomboyish, as she likes to hunt and spend time in the forest outside her home. In the years following her father’s death, she spent most of her days hunting for food for her mother and sister. In fact, she cared so deeply for her sister that she chose to take Prim’s place as tribute.
Jennifer Lawrence grew up in Kentucky with her two brothers, Ben and Blaine, and her parents. Before Jennifer became an actor, she enjoyed cheerleading, field hockey, softball, and modeling. Though she was very good at all of these activities, she never held a real passion for any of them. At the age of fourteen, Jennifer was discovered as an actor in New York City. The agents told her mother that her audition was the best they had ever seen. Starting off in commercials, Jennifer Lawrence has starred in many movies from The Poker House to X-men: First Class. She possesses versatility as an actress by being able to blend in or stand out, which made her perfect for the role of Katniss.
Katniss’ male counterpart, Peeta Mellark, is a sixteen-year-old boy with blond hair and blue eyes. Being a baker in District 12 meant that he was considered wealthier than most people in his district. Ever since he was a child, he cared about Katniss and he always tried to help her starving family. As children, he saved her from starvation by purposely burning a loaf of bread and throwing it to her. He confesses his love for Katniss during a nationwide interview before the Games. At first, Katniss just believes that it is a method of saving their lives, but later finds out that he was telling the truth.
Peeta is played by the well-experienced actor, Josh Hutcherson. Josh was born on October 12, 1992, in Union, Kentucky. Josh knew that he wanted to be an actor ever since he was four years old; as a result, his family moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream when he was only nine. Soon after their move, Josh began to land small acting roles in films and commercials. Since his career has taken off, he has had roles and leading parts in over sixteen movies, eight television movies, and three television series. As an experienced actor, he already appears to be doing well as the role of good-natured Peeta.
The Hunger Games movie is anticipated everyone and anyone who loved the book series, and moviegoers particularly interested in teen films and action movies. When movies based on book series are produced, casting is especially important because the audience must be able to imagine the actor as that character. By using Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence as the title characters, the series is already off to a great start. The Hunger Games is slotted to hit theaters on March 23, 2012.
