17 Actors Who Were Almost in “The Hunger Games”

Take a look at some stars who were up for the roles of Katniss, Peeta and Gale

The cast of The Hunger Games could have looked very different.

Though it’s hard to imagine anyone but Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth in the roles of Katniss, Peeta and Gale now, many other actors were up for the coveted roles.

Based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling books of the same name, the first movie was conceived in 2009 when Lionsgate acquired distribution rights to the novel.

It’s said that about 30 actresses auditioned for the lead role of Katniss in 2011, but in the end, the odds were in Lawrence’s favor.

“Jennifer blew the doors off the place,” Gary Ross told The Hollywood Reporter of the casting process. “Josh was pitch-perfect. I had no idea that Liam wasn’t American until I talked to him when the reading was over. They were all just great. These were honestly easy decisions for me.”

As the world of Panem expands even further with the prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes premiering this week, take a look back at which actors auditioned for the lead roles.

Related: Where to Watch The Hunger Games: How to Stream and Tune in on Cable

Saoirse Ronan as Katniss

Saoirse Ronan was one of the 30 actresses who auditioned for the role of Katniss. Though she lost out to Lawrence, she did end up booking a different book-to-movie adaptation as she starred in The Host from Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer.

Hailee Steinfeld as Katniss

Following her breakout role in 2010’s True Grit, Hailee Steinfeld was one of the major contenders for Katniss. During an interview with The Independent in November 2019, Steinfeld opened up about not getting cast in the role, saying that she doesn’t look back at what could have been.

“I truly believe everything happens for a reason,” she said. “There are so many parts that I wanted or didn’t get ... But I think, weirdly, it’s the same feeling of having missed every high school dance and prom, and yet I somehow found my way to the Met Gala. I feel like I’ve made up for it.”

Though she didn’t play the iconic heroine in The Hunger Games, she did play another famous archer later in life, as she was cast as Kate Bishop on Marvel's Hawkeye.

Zoey Deutch as Katniss

Zoey Deutch tested for Katniss, a role she later said she was super “disappointed” about not getting. "I screen tested for Katniss but knew I didn't get it because in the screen test, he was like, 'Why don't you read this other part?' " she said on the Lights, Camera, Barstool podcast. "Literally. But, yeah, that one was a little painful."

Though she didn’t star in The Hunger Games adaptation, she booked a handful of YA films afterward, including 2013’s Beautiful Creatures and 2014’s Vampire Academy.

Shailene Woodley as Katniss

Shailene Woodley was another big name who tried out for Katniss. Years later, she went on to play another famous YA heroine as she was cast as Beatrice Prior in 2014’s Divergent.

Emma Roberts as Katniss

Emma Roberts was also up for the role of Katniss. "I was definitely interested in it, but it was just one of those things that didn't end up happening," Roberts told MTV News about auditioning for the part in 2011. "But I'm really excited to see the movie. I read all the books a couple weeks ago and I've got all my friends hooked, so it's totally cool and I can't wait to see it."

It all worked out for the best as a few short years later, Roberts booked American Horror Story: Coven, which helped her gain critical acclaim.

Evan Peters as Peeta

Roberts wasn’t the only American Horror Story alum who auditioned for The Hunger Games. Evan Peters was reportedly up for the role of Peeta, which went to Hutcherson. Though he didn’t star opposite Lawrence as the District 12 tribute, he did act alongside her in the X-Men films.

Hunter Parrish as Peeta

In March 2011, Hunter Parrish confirmed he met with The Hunger Games producers for the role of Peeta, telling E! News, "I'd be grateful to get the opportunity." Speaking on fans’ support for his potential casting, he added, "You don't get much better than that. The true fans of the book. So regardless of whether I'm a part of the film or not, I feel honored to just sort of be thought of.”

Lucas Till as Peeta

Lucas Till was also a frontrunner for the role of Peeta. Like Peters, he didn’t book the role but did star opposite Lawrence in the X-Men films years later.

David Henrie as Gale

At the height of his time of Wizards of Waverly Place, David Henrie screentested for the role of Gale, which eventually went to Hemsworth.

Drew Roy as Gale

Drew Roy was yet another Disney Channel star in the running for Gale. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Hannah Montana actor screentested for the role.

Robbie Amell as Gale

Following his roles on Nickelodeon shows such as Life with Derek and True Jackson, VP, Robbie Amell was up for the role of Gale.

Kristin Chenoweth as Effie

During an interview with Jenny McCarthy for SiriusXM Entertainment, Kristin Chenoweth revealed that she “really wanted” to play Effie in The Hunger Games films. “I had a great meeting and a great time looking through the material and I was a fan of the books,” she explained. Though she was disappointed she didn’t get the part, she added that Elizabeth Banks was “so good” in the role.

John C. Reilly as Haymitch

John C. Reilly was said to be a major frontrunner for the role of Haymitch, however, it ended up going to Woody Harrelson.

Garrett Hedlund as Finnick

While many book fans wanted to see Garrett Hedlund in the role of Finnick in Catching Fire, the actor told MTV News he ended up turning the role down due to scheduling conflicts.

"They did [approach me]," Hedlund said in 2012. "But I was working on this film at the time. We shot the whole film in 23 days and I was really immersed in it. I couldn't get around [to reading the Hunger Games novels]."

"Everybody around me is flipping out about the books, and I didn't really have the time to sit down lately to read any book, not just Hunger Games," he added "But I've got a couple [projects] on my plate that I'm looking forward to reading now."

Eventually, the role went to Sam Claflin, which helped him gain wider recognition in Hollywood.

Taylor Kitsch as Finnick

Taylor Kitsch was said to be in the running for Finnick, but he later set the record straight, telling The Los Angeles Times in 2012 that the role was "not going to happen."

Mia Wasikowska as Johanna

​​After playing Hutcherson’s sister in The Kids Are All Right, Mia Wasikowska was reportedly on the “short list” to play District 7 victor Johanna in Catching Fire, though the role eventually went to Jena Malone. 

Tony Shalhoub as Beetee

Tony Shalhoub was reportedly “eyed” for the role of District 3 victor Beetee in Catching Fire, however, the role ultimately went to Jeffrey Wright.

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