Josh Hutcherson Talks About Peeta

Hunger Games Interview with Josh Hutcherson!

Some people disagree with me, but I think the most important character in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (for ages 12 and up) is Peeta. Therefore, I also think that the actor who plays Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) has the most important role in The Hunger Games movie (rated PG-13), in theaters March 23. In my eyes, for the movie to really work, Peeta has to be just right. That's why I am so excited to read this interview with Josh talking about Peeta because it sounds like he really gets him. It makes me even more excited to see the movie!

Q: How did you prepare for the role of Peeta, a baker who becomes a fighter? Did you have to train in baking and fighting before the movie?

Josh: [Laughs] Actually, one of the things that drew me to The Hunger Games so much is how much I felt like myself and Peeta had in common. I think we’re very much the same person. We have a very similar outlook on life . . . about being genuine with people. I think that’s something that Peeta always is. He’s very good at working with people. He’s very outgoing, and he really believes in not letting anything change you. You always need to make sure that you are true to yourself and you’re being the truest version of you. For me, that’s kind of how I’ve been throughout the movie business. People can really change you and you can sort of lose who you are. But I’ve always believed in maintaining myself as a person.
As far as preparing for the role, I felt like I was really already there mentally. You know, the books give a lot of insight into the characters, which is really great. So, having that as a reference was awesome. And Suzanne Collins was great. I had a great conversation with her. She asked me if I had any question about motivations, to just give her a call and she would happily talk it out with me.
As far as the baking and fighting goes, I actually love to bake, funnily enough. That’s another thing Peeta and I have in common. I’ve always been into cooking and baking. And with the fighting element, Peeta doesn’t fight a whole lot in the first Hunger Games. So, I didn’t have too much training for that. I did, however, put on 15 pounds of muscle weight for the role to get that beefier, been-lifting-bags-of-flour sort of look. Basically, I was eating a ton of protein and working out every day, lifting a lot of weights and stuff like that. Peeta is “farm boy” kind of strong, so he’s not like the cut surfer model type. He’s a little bulkier and a little bit bigger, so that’s what we were going for with the look.

Q: Do you think Peeta would be a friend of yours in real life?
Josh: I definitely think so. We’d definitely get along because we’d pretty much have the exact same view about life, and our demeanor would be very similar.

What do you think? Isn't he perfect? Leave a Comment! And if The Hunger Games is your favorite book, don't forget to vote for it in the Kids' Choice Awards!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Interview by Marie Morreale

Comments

[Comment #76]

i can't wait to see the movie I'm reading the book right now and want to read th series

[Comment #77]

i can't wait to see the movie

[Comment #78]

sorrry it's THE Series!

[Comment #79]

i want to read the book and watch the movie but my mom wont let me.

[Comment #80]

The movie was very very very horibble. i want my money back ): All they did in the movie was kill each other and they got their details wrong. by the way katness was very good in the movie. (:

[Comment #81]

i cant wat to se the movie and read the books they are asome

[Comment #82]

i think Katniss is cute

[Comment #83]

I LOVE JOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the movie is going to be great!!!

[Comment #84]

TEAM PEETA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no other words needed-:OD

[Comment #85]

HUNGER GAMES ROCK!!!!! GO PEETA MELLARK!!!

[Comment #86]

I went to see this movie and it is awesome, maybe younger readers should wait to read the book and see the movie because it might be a little young for them

[Comment #87]

I cant wait to see the movie with my sister and aunt i am ordering the first book from scholastic cant wait to get it

[Comment #88]

I also think josh aka Peeta is sooo CUTE!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #89]

I whant to watch this movie so bad i wish i had some one to go with.

[Comment #90]

awesome i went to go see the movie better than the book.

[Comment #91]

i really want to see this movie it so looks awsome to wath me and my familly really want t6o watch it

[Comment #92]

Peeta is awesome!!! Love him!

[Comment #93]

I am 100% in love with Josh Hutcherson. Plus, he was fenomenal in the movie. I'm actually probaby going to see it again because I was texting my friend during the cave scene... I'm really angry at myself for letting me miss that part... but I think Josh was amazing as Peeta:)

[Comment #94]

Favorite book EVER, couldn't stop read it 4 times

[Comment #95]

saw the movie really good

[Comment #96]

Okay I went to see the movie the day it came out (don't know how dad posably got tickets) me personally, I thought it was spectacular. Actors, sets, script, eveything. Yeah, so what really they left out a few things, but all in all I rate it a 11 on a 1-10 rating. I am soooooo on Team Peeta. No one else is on this side at my school, but I like being different. Anywayz, I m still waitng to get the second one, so don't spoil anything! ;) :)

[Comment #97]

MOVIE WAS AWESOME but the book was better. . . funny how its always like that. . . . LOL :D

[Comment #98]

I saw the movie it was awsome,reccomend u to wtch it to,but i saw it at the movie theater CINAMA =-)

[Comment #99]

wow my my friends tell me this book is amazing and the movie is too . This is sooo cool , josh talking about his role.

[Comment #100]

Peeta is my favorite character!!! I saw the movie over the weekend and Josh Hutcherson did an AMAZING job at being Peeta!!! I love Josh too!