Austin Butler recently disclosed that he auditioned for the role of Peeta Mellark in “The Hunger Games” but didn’t even receive a callback. This revelation came during a BuzzFeed Celeb video where Butler was promoting his new movie, “The Bikeriders,” alongside co-star Jodie Comer. When asked about a surprising role he auditioned for, the 32-year-old actor candidly shared his experience.
“I auditioned for ‘The Hunger Games,’ and I didn’t get it at all. I don’t even think I got a callback,” Butler admitted. Comer, 31, quickly responded with a supportive, “Their loss, Austin.”
The role of Peeta Mellark eventually went to Josh Hutcherson, who starred alongside Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth in the dystopian trilogy. Despite not landing the part, Butler praised Hutcherson’s performance, calling him “great” in the role.
Interestingly, Butler wasn’t the only notable actor vying for the role of Peeta. According to The Hollywood Reporter, other actors considered included Evan Peters, Lucas Till, Hunter Parrish, and Alexander Ludwig, who was ultimately cast as Cato, Peeta and Katniss’s rival.
Gary Ross, the director of “The Hunger Games,” mentioned in a 2022 interview with The Hollywood Reporter that casting Hutcherson was an easy decision. “Josh was pitch-perfect,” Ross said, emphasizing the confidence he had in his choice.
Josh Hutcherson, now 31, was already a well-known child actor before taking on the role of Peeta. He had starred in films like “The Bridge to Terabithia,” “Firehouse Dog,” and “Little Manhattan.” In recent years, Hutcherson has shifted towards independent films, including A24’s “The Disaster Artist” (2017), the 2022 war drama “Across the River and into the Trees,” and the 2023 thriller sci-fi “57 Seconds.”
Butler, on the other hand, also began his career as a child actor, appearing in Nickelodeon shows such as “Zoey 101,” “Hannah Montana,” “iCarly,” and “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.” He has since gained mainstream acclaim for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the Oscar-nominated biopic “Elvis.” His recent projects include Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” and the Apple TV+ miniseries “Masters of the Air.” “The Bikeriders,” his latest film, is currently in cinemas.
Butler’s journey in the entertainment industry has been marked by both successes and setbacks. He previously detailed the five-month process he went through to land the titular role in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2023. “From the start, I knew Baz doesn’t just do auditions, he does workshops,” Butler recalled in a February 2023 interview with Variety. “So, I knew it would be a process. I was able to keep my head down and concentrate on the work and try not to get too invested in thinking of it as my part.”
Ultimately, Butler secured the role after impressing Luhrmann with a spontaneous video of himself singing Elvis’ song “Unchained Melody” in a bathrobe. Reflecting on his experience, Butler said, “I just feel so fortunate.”
Despite the disappointment of not landing the role of Peeta, Butler maintains a positive outlook on auditions that didn’t pan out. “You get told ‘no’ so many times,” he explained. “And early on someone told me something that really helped. They said, ‘It’s a numbers game. Prepare to go to 100 auditions before you book one.'”
Butler’s resilience and dedication to his craft have clearly paid off, as he continues to build an impressive career in Hollywood. His story serves as a reminder that even the most successful actors face rejection and that perseverance is key to achieving one’s dreams.
Source: BuzzFeed Celeb, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety
