Hunger Games Filmmakers Feel "So Lucky" to Have Hunky New Castmembers

While some may be questioning the male lead casting choices for the Hunger Games announced yesterday, both the filmmakers and the book's author are super confident in the decision to go with Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson.
We, too, think these fellas can ultimately pull off the roles, but the filmmakers made statements today assuring us that they are happy with their Gale and Peeta casting choices.
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While Hunger Games director Gary Ross praised Hutcherson's casting as Peeta, "I feel so lucky that we found someone who embodies every aspect of such a complex character," producer Nina Jacobson lauded Hemsworth, saying, "Gale's journey across the three books transforms him, and Liam's performance left no doubt that he would take us there."
But is the very readable franchise's creator, Suzanne Collins, really pleased with the actors chosen to bring her words to life? She is, at least with one of them.
"I was fortunate enough to be in the room with Gary Ross when Josh came in to audition. Three lines into the read, I knew he'd be fantastic," Collins praised. "Josh totally captured Peeta's temperament, his sense of humor and his facility for language. I'm thrilled to have him aboard."
This leaves one major casting decision still left to make: The role of Haymitch Abernathy, the only living Hunger Games winner of District 12.
And with a name like that, it's going to take a seasoned, skilled actor to steal the scenes away from his younger costars.
As we've told you before, we think Gerard Butler, Hugh Laurie, Robert Downey Jr. and Brad Pitt could all be excellent choices.
But our top pick just has to go to Mr. Pitt. His training ground these past few years really does make him the ideal candidate: The guy has got to be at least a little bit grumpy about being Angie's nanny bitch 24-7, right? And what better way to channel that stuff out than by playing badass Haymitch!
All this casting talk really just has us drooling over all the hot men those filmmakers are so hungry for.
We promise we'll calm down later.
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