As a huge fan of both Mia Wasikowska and Melissa Leo, it’s fascinating to learn about their near-misses with roles in “The Hunger Games” franchise. Both these immensely talented actresses have had remarkable careers, each carving out unique paths that have led them to some of the most intriguing roles in contemporary cinema.
When it’s time to choose actors for a movie, the process can be quite extensive, regardless of whether a director or casting agent has someone specific in mind for a role. Typically, there’s a series of auditions that may take place globally, and when the film is of significant scale, such as “The Hunger Games,” the pressure is high because many aspiring actors are vying for the roles.
Approximately eleven well-known actors tried out for the role of Katniss Everdeen prior to Jennifer Lawrence getting it, which isn’t all that surprising given her lead status. However, a few of the names on the casting list might catch your attention. Similarly, other significant roles such as Peeta Mellark saw some high-profile contenders before Josh Hutcherson was finally chosen for the part.
In much the same way, numerous characters in the “Hunger Games” film series found themselves requiring different actors for their roles over the five movies produced by 2024. Actors vied for parts spanning from Peeta to Brutus and even Haymitch, with some well-known stars nearly landing these coveted roles. Here’s a look at some of the most prominent names who almost became part of the “Hunger Games” film franchise.
Hailee Steinfeld was almost cast as Katniss
At the age of 14, Hailee Steinfeld made her breakthrough in the 2010 film “True Grit,” and since then, she has been captivating audiences with her roles in the “Pitch Perfect” series, as well as in the “Transformers” movie “Bumblebee” from 2018. Additionally, Steinfeld has appeared in several comic book adaptations, lending her voice to Gwen Stacy in Sony’s “Spider-Verse” films and portraying expert archer Kate Bishop in “Hawkeye.
It’s accurate to note that Shailene Woodley boasts a lengthy list of notable franchise films, yet “The Hunger Games” series was not one she became a part of. However, this wasn’t due to disinterest or lack of effort on her part. On the contrary, Shailene auditioned for the role of Katniss Everdeen and advanced significantly in the casting process. In the end, Jennifer Lawrence was chosen for the role, a fact that Shailene discussed during an interview with The Independent in 2019.
When questioned about her audition for Katniss, Steinfeld playfully exclaimed “Let’s not revisit that!” She further explained that, “There are numerous roles I desired or didn’t secure… However, strangely enough, it’s the same sensation as having missed every high school dance and prom, and still managing to attend the Met Gala. It feels like I’ve compensated for it.
Shailene Woodley auditioned for Katniss
Currently, Shailene Woodley has gained notability for her performances in “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Big Little Lies,” and the Young Adult series “The Divergent Series.” Over time, she’s landed remarkable roles. However, among YA franchises, “The Hunger Games” is one that Shailene Woodley wasn’t cast for, as she mentioned that her audition didn’t turn out favorably.
In 2014, Woodley had a chat with The Daily Beast about her role in “Divergent.” During this conversation, the subject of Katniss emerged. The interviewer wondered if Woodley had tried out for Katniss, to which she admitted she did. She also shared that she demonstrated certain scenes during the audition process. When asked about how she felt the audition went, Woodley thought it was satisfactory, but upon leaving, she surmised she wouldn’t be cast for the role.
“We had to do two scenes that weren’t even in the movie, I believe. One of the scenes was when she first gets called to go into The Hunger Games and has to say goodbye to her mother and Gayle.” In a separate interview with MTV, Woodley admitted, “It wasn’t like a great audition. But I think that Jennifer Lawrence is perfect for the role” (via Daily Mail).
Austin Butler auditioned to play Peeta
Austin Butler climbed the ladder of Hollywood stardom by portraying the King in “Elvis,” and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in the upcoming “Dune: Part Two.” He’s also been seen battling the Nazis in “Masters of the Air” and consistently landing prominent roles. Prior to his big breakthrough, Butler unsuccessfully vied for the role of Peeta in “The Hunger Games,” ultimately losing out during the audition phase.
In a fun-filled Q&A session with my “The Bikeriders” partner, Jodie Comer, I shared an intriguing tidbit about my past. You see, I once dared to dream of joining the world of Panem as Peeta. I auditioned for “The Hunger Games,” but unfortunately, I didn’t get the role at all – not even a callback! Yes, you guessed it; Josh Hutcherson landed that part instead. After sharing this brief anecdote, Jodie playfully remarked, “What a loss for them, Austin.
In a slight extension of the statement, Butler acknowledged Hutcherson’s excellent performance, but it appeared that a tinge of disappoinment crossed his face regarding the outcome of his audition for Peeta. However, this setback didn’t hinder Butler’s career progression in the least. Instead, he’s been consistently bagging major roles since then, with one notable example being his portrayal of Elvis.
Lucas Till screen tested with Jennifer Lawrence for the role of Peeta
As Peeta’s casting was happening, Lucas Till was primarily unrecognized beyond his role in “Hannah Montana.” He had a few films under his name, one being the portrayal of Alex Summers, also known as Havok, in “X-Men: First Class.” Till was on the brink of widespread fame, which “The Hunger Games” could have bolstered. However, as we’ve come to understand, he didn’t secure the role.
Despite many not advancing as far, Till managed to go even further, and following his initial audition, he received a callback for a screen test. This invitation arrived about a week after Jennifer Lawrence had been cast as Katniss Everdeen. In order to assess their potential on-screen compatibility, the casting team decided to have Till read alongside Jennifer.
It appears the audition didn’t go smoothly for Till, as he didn’t secure the role despite being a strong contender. J-14 reported in March 2011 that Till had reached the final stage of the auditions but felt it didn’t go well. Reflecting on it now, this seems evident, but at the time, Till expressed his expectation of not getting the part. Although that franchise didn’t materialize for him, Till later reprised his role as Havok in two subsequent “X-Men” films.
Evan Peters was in the running to play Peeta
For quite some time, Evan Peters has been taking on intricate roles. He’s showcased his versatility with various characters on “American Horror Story,” and more recently, he portrayed the title character in “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” Additionally, he played Pietro Maximoff and Peter Maximoff in two different productions. Coincidentally, during the casting for Peeta, Peters had just finished working on “Kick-Ass,” which boosted his profile at that time.
Despite the fact that he desired the role of Peeta, he decided to give it a shot and auditioned for it. Unfortunately, he didn’t end up landing the part, but he did manage to move forward in the selection process. After submitting at least one audition tape, he received a callback and was asked to perform a scene with Jennifer Lawrence, who had already been cast. Peters shared this experience during an interview with Vulture in 2011.
When inquired about acting in Peeta’s scenes, the actor shared, “Indeed, I did. It was quite thrilling! I had the chance to act alongside Jennifer Lawrence, which made me quite apprehensive given her exceptional talent. Moreover, the story of the movie is captivating – I’m a big fan of those books. I can hardly wait to watch the film; I’m really excited about it!
Kevin Durand was rumored for the role of Brutus
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but admire the versatile acting journey of Kevin Durand. From embodying the Blob in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” to portraying Martin Keamy in “Lost,” and even Proximus Caesar in “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” Durand’s roles have spanned a wide range, making each performance captivating in its own right. Interestingly, when it came to selecting Brutus for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” reports suggest that Durand was strongly considered for the role, showcasing the breadth of his talent.
Initially, it seemed like Bruno Gunn would portray District Four’s male tribute, but there were rumors about Durand being considered for the role during the casting process. In June 2012, Shockya, a source that requires caution when consuming its information, suggested that Durand was a potential candidate to play Brutus, although he had some competition to contend with.
From my perspective as a devoted fan, it seems that Durand didn’t secure the part in the recent casting, and there’s no definite information about how far he progressed in his audition. Interestingly, Gunn’s name wasn’t even hinted at in the Shockya article, which was shared by multiple outlets. Despite this, Durand has remained silent on the casting rumor in all interviews I’ve seen. If these whispers are indeed true, it’s clear that his career hasn’t taken a hit from not landing this role, given he’s consistently been offered high-profile jobs for quite some time now.
Kevin Nash eyed the role of Brutus
In the early 1990s, Kevin Nash began acting, portraying Super Shredder in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze.” Since then, he’s appeared in more prominent productions, such as playing Francis in “John Wick” and Tarzan in “Magic Mike XXL.” Despite his success in Hollywood, Nash is most famously recognized for his wrestling career.
Despite being known for wrestling, Nash demonstrates a diverse skillset, which is evident in his performances on both television and film. Pursuing the role of Brutus from District Four in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” Nash showcased his ambition. Although it’s uncertain how far he progressed, ultimately, he wasn’t cast for the part.
USA Today went to the premiere of “Magic Mike XXL” and had a chance to talk with some cast members, including Nash. At this gathering, Nash shared that he had auditioned for a part in the movie, but didn’t reveal which role at first. He expressed hope that his character would have a recurring role rather than being killed off. Regrettably, Brutus’ involvement in the series concluded when Peeta’s spear ended his time on screen.
Kristin Chenoweth was in the running to play Effie
Kristin Chenoweth is a highly skilled actor who’s excelled in television, stage, and cinema. She’s not only an actor but also a writer and a gifted singer with multiple albums and chart-topping singles. Moreover, her vivacious character would have made her a great fit for the role of Effie Trinket, which was instead played by Elizabeth Banks.
Following her reading of “The Hunger Games,” Chenoweth expressed her intense fascination for the Young Adult novel on Twitter. Beyond this infatuation, she was captivated by the idea of portraying Effie. On the “Shining Bright but Doing the Work with Jenny McCarthy” podcast, Chenoweth delved into her affection for Banks in the role and shared insights about the casting process.
Originally, I aspired to portray Effie Trinket in “The Hunger Games”. However, when I went to watch it, I had an excellent meeting and enjoyed reading the script – being a fan of the books. When I learned it wasn’t going my way, I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Who got the role?’ Although Banks delivered a fantastic performance, I must admit that I felt a pang of disappointment not to have landed the part myself. Chenoweth maintained a positive attitude throughout, but her tone suggested a hint of regret.
Haymitch was almost played by John C. Reilly
For many years, John C. Reilly has been making waves in Hollywood, appearing in films like “Boogie Nights,” “Step Brothers,” and providing voiceovers for characters in the Wreck-It Ralph series. Known for collaborating with Will Ferrell in comedies, Reilly’s versatility is evident as he’s demonstrated his acting skills across various genres. Consequently, it’s no surprise that the comedy icon was considered for the part of Haymitch Abernathy in “The Hunger Games.
That part went to Woody Harrelson, and he did an amazing job with it. Still, it’s interesting to imagine how things would have played out had Reilly landed the role. According to Vulture, Reilly was going to receive an offer to play Haymitch, but that didn’t pan out despite numerous outlets reporting that he was the most likely candidate to play the part.
As a die-hard fan eagerly anticipating “The Hunger Games” production, I found myself puzzled by the casting choices, especially concerning Haymitch. It seemed like Woody Harrelson had been chosen for the role, as rumors swirled around, only to be silenced when it was finally announced that he wasn’t cast after all, according to Today. The actors were apparently bound by a strict confidentiality agreement, which explained the confusion surrounding the casting decisions.
Garrett Hedlund had to turn down the role of Finnick
As the casting process for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” began, Garrett Hedlund was a rising star. He had already secured significant roles such as Sam Flynn in “Tron: Legacy,” and he had been featured in various films and TV shows prior to this. Additionally, his name was being circulated among potential choices for the role of Finnick Odair.
In a 2012 interview with MTV, Hedlund shared that he made significant progress in the audition process for a certain role. He mentioned that he was offered the part initially, but at that time, he was busy with another project and couldn’t fit in the necessary reading of the books required. If his schedule had allowed it, he might have been considered for the role, but Hedlund seemed unfazed by the opportunity.
According to MTV, the actor expressed, “Everyone around me is excited about the books, but I haven’t had much time to read them lately, not just ‘The Hunger Games.’ However, I now have some projects that I’m eager to dive into reading.” Despite facing stiff competition from well-known actors, the role eventually went to Sam Claflin, who was relatively unknown at the time.
Taylor Kitsch was an early frontrunner to play Finnick
Taylor Kitsch is an actor who’s starred in numerous high-profile films, yet remains less recognized than expected. He portrayed Gambit in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” the title role in “John Carter,” and numerous other captivating parts. Notably, Kitsch has also made appearances on television, with his performance as Tim Riggins on “Friday Night Lights” being particularly memorable.
Just like numerous other aspiring actors, Kitsch was keen on securing a role in “The Hunger Games” series, with Finnick Odair being a character he was often linked to. In 2012, HollywoodLife reported that Kitsch and Garrett Hedlund were the last two contenders for the part of Finnick. However, neither actor managed to secure the role, which ultimately went to Sam Claflin.
Despite some ambiguity regarding his progress, it’s evident that Kitsch made it clear to the Los Angeles Times that the situation wasn’t going to proceed further. He simply stated, “It’s not happening.
Beetee was nearly played by Tony Shalhoub
As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the potential casting of Tony Shalhoub in the Hunger Games series. If you recall, there were several talented actors in the running, yet Shalhoub stands out as the one who could have made the most significant impact. His journey in the entertainment industry started early with a memorable role on “Wings,” but it was his portrayal of Adrian Monk that truly catapulted him to fame. And here’s the kicker – he even managed to revisit the world where he earned numerous accolades!
Although Shalhoub has a substantial list of roles, one character she didn’t portray is Beetee Latier, who made his debut in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Initially, that role was considered for Shalhoub during the casting process, but it eventually went to Jeffrey Wright. However, Variety magazine reported back in 2012 that Shalhoub was leading contender for the Beetee part in the movie at an early stage of the casting.
Around the same period, Amanda Plummer was cast as Wiress, the female tribute from District Three, while Beetee was the male tribute. It appears that Shalhoub was also under consideration for the role, but Wright ultimately got it instead. However, Shalhoub’s career didn’t suffer significantly from not landing this part and he went on to star in numerous films and TV shows, such as “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie.
Mia Wasikowska came close to playing Johanna Mason
Mia Wasikowska started off with some intriguing roles, but it was undeniably her portrayal of Alice in “Alice in Wonderland” that truly catapulted her into prominence. Subsequently, she found herself frequently sought after for various acting gigs. During the casting process for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” Wasikowska was among the actors expressing interest in playing Johanna Mason.
On the brief roster, Zoe Aggeliki, a fresh face at the time, was also included, along with the two relatively unknown actors. Although several sources suggested that Wasikowska had a strong chance of landing the role of Johanna, it eventually went to Jena Malone. It remains uncertain how far Wasikowska progressed in the audition process before the production decided against her for the part.
During the build-up to the filming of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” there were many whispers circulating online, and it seems that one of them involved Mia Wasikowska being considered for the role of Johanna. However, since the movie’s release, Wasikowska has not verified these rumors, suggesting that if they are true, she probably moved on to another project during a busy period in her acting career, and she seems to have done quite well regardless.
Melissa Leo was up for the role of Mags
Melissa Leo, an actress renowned for her television roles such as in “All My Children,” “The Young Riders,” and “Homicide: Life on the Street,” is a familiar face to many. She was even awarded an Oscar for her role in the 2010 film “The Fighter.” Interestingly, fans of the “Hunger Games” series might find it intriguing to learn that Leo was among the actors under consideration for the part of Mags Flanagan, the mute female tribute from District Four.
That role went to Lynn Cohen, and she did an excellent job conveying a wide range of emotions without speaking — a difficult task for any actor. While casting was still filled with online rumors and a lot of back-and-forth for a number of actors, Leo spoke with Moviefone about the rumors.
The interview focused on her movie “Why Stop Now,” however, the topic shifted following Cohen’s confirmation. When queried about the casting, Leo expressed his desire to have been involved but seemed doubtful about getting the part himself. He admitted, as reported by Daily News, that he might not have gotten it due to his lack of reading skills, which could be a factor in not being chosen for the role.
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2024-09-27 14:31