Karwai Tang/WireImage, Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock The latestHunger GamesmovieSunrise on the Reapingwill premiere in 2026 Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth starred in the originalHunger Gamesmovies Here are 19 actors who nearly starred in theHunger Gamesfranchise As the cast of the upcomingHunger GamesprequelSunrise on the Reapingis announced, it's more exciting than ever to look back at who could have been in the original film series. More than a decade after the originalHunger Gamesmovie hit theaters in 2012, the franchise has since inspired two more books and subsequent film adaptations — 2023'sThe Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesandSunrise on the Reaping, which is set to make a November 2026 debut. While many other actors were up for the coveted roles, in the end,Jennifer Lawrence,Josh HutchersonandLiam Hemsworthnabbed the parts of Katniss, Peeta and Gale. "Jennifer blew the doors off the place," director Gary Ross toldThe Hollywood Reporterin 2022. "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." Here are 19 actors who auditioned for lead roles inThe Hunger Gamesfranchise. Samir Hussein/WireImage; Murray Close/©Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection Saoirse Ronanwas 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 inThe HostfromTwilightcreator Stephenie Meyer. Cindy Ord/Getty; Murray Close/Color Force/Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock Following her breakout role in 2010'sTrue Grit,Hailee Steinfeldwas one of the major contenders for Katniss. During an interview withThe Independentin 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 inThe Hunger Games, she did play another famous archer later in life, asshe was cast as Kate Bishopon Marvel'sHawkeye. Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock Zoey Deutchtested for Katniss, a role she later saidshe 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 theLights, Camera, Barstoolpodcast. "Literally. But, yeah, that one was a little painful." Though she didn't star inThe Hunger Gamesadaptation, she booked a handful of YA films afterward, including 2013'sBeautiful Creaturesand 2014'sVampire Academy. Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Murray Close/Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection Shailene Woodleywas 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'sDivergent. Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Murray Close/Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection Emma Robertswas 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 bookedAmerican Horror Story: Coven, which helped her gain critical acclaim. Christopher Khoury/Australian Press Agency via ZUMA/Shutterstock ; Murray Close/©Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection Years after her breakout role inA Series of Unfortunate Events, Emily Browning toldIndieWirein 2011 that she had been "nervous" for her audition forThe Hunger Games. "I read for [The Hunger Games] a couple of times, but I've never read the book to be honest — which I know is terrible of me," she said, later adding, "I think every single girl in Hollywood read for it a couple of times." Daniele Venturelli/WireImage; Photo by Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock Roberts wasn't the onlyAmerican Horror Storyalum who auditioned forThe Hunger Games.Evan Peterswas 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 theX-Menfilms. Walter McBride/Getty; Lionsgate/Color Force/Kobal/Shutterstock In March 2011, Hunter Parrish confirmed he met withThe Hunger Gamesproducers for the role of Peeta, tellingE! 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." Mark Hill/CBS via Getty; Murray Close/Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection 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 theX-Menfilms years later. 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1' (2014).Lia Toby/Getty ; ©Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection During a June 2024 interview withBuzzFeed Celeb,ElvisstarAustin Butlerrevealed that though he auditioned for the role of Peeta, he didn't come very close to getting it. "I auditioned forThe Hunger GamesandI didn't get it at all. I don't even think I got a call back," he said, adding that Hutcherson was "great" as Peeta. Rich Polk/Getty; Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstoc At the height of his time ofWizards of Waverly Place, David Henrie screentested for the role of Gale, which eventually went to Hemsworth. Jerritt Clark/WireImage; Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock Drew Roy was yet another Disney Channel star in the running for Gale. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, theHannah Montanaactor screentested for the role. Leon Bennett/Getty; Color Force/Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock Following his roles on Nickelodeon shows such asLife with DerekandTrue Jackson, VP, Robbie Amell was up for the role of Gale. Rob Kim/Getty; Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock During an interview with Jenny McCarthy forSiriusXM Entertainment,Kristin Chenowethrevealed that she "really wanted" to play Effie inThe Hunger Gamesfilms. "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 thatElizabeth Bankswas "so good" in the role. Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage; Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock John C. Reillywas reportedly a major frontrunner for the role of Haymitch, perToday. However, it ended up going toWoody Harrelson. Robin L Marshall/WireImage; Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock While many book fans wanted to seeGarrett Hedlundin the role of Finnick inCatching 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 theHunger Gamesnovels]." He continued, "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 justHunger Games. But I've got a couple [projects] on my plate that I'm looking forward to reading now." Eventually, the role went toSam Claflin. Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty; Lionsgate/Color Force/Kobal/Shutterstock Taylor Kitschwas reportedly in the running for Finnick, perEntertainment Weekly.But he later set the record straight, tellingThe Los Angeles Timesin 2012 that the role was "not going to happen." Marc Piasecki/FilmMagic; Lionsgate/Color Force/Kobal/Shutterstock After playing Hutcherson's sister inThe Kids Are All Right,Mia Wasikowskawas reportedly on the "short list" to play District 7 victor Johanna inCatching Fire, according to Digital Spy. The role eventually went toJena Malone. Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Lionsgate/Color Force/Kobal/Shutterstock Tony Shalhoubwas reportedly eyed for the role of District 3 victor Beetee inCatching Fire, however, the part ultimately went toJeffrey Wright. Read the original article onPeople
