PeaceLoveHappiness

I’ve only just gotten my hands on a copy of the trilogy very recently, even though the craze started in mid-2010, so this post may be outdated. Nevertheless, the film’s coming out in less than a month, so I feel very strongly about expressing my views on the casting. 

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

Wow, just wow. I’ve no complaints about that. She’s got a lot of potential, as was evident in her portrayal of Mystique/Raven in X-Men: First Class. I think she’ll bring just the right mix of vulnerability and spunk to the film’s version of Katniss. Plus, just look at the resemblance: 

Of course, as with all film adaptations of bestselling novels, there are always going to be differences in the readers’ conceptualization of the book character and the actor’s interpretation of the role in the script. Fortunately, in the case of Jen here, she has prior experience portraying a character that has already been made widely famous by previous publications. We can only hope that she does her research and delivers a believable Katniss the way she portrayed a hauntingly accurate Mystique/Raven. 

Now that that’s done with, let me start ranting about the male casting, which I think is absolute bull. 

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark 

Oh, please. Where do I even start? The book gives this description of Peeta:

“Stocky build and medium height with bright blue eyes and ashen blonde hair that falls in waves over his forehead.” 

Somehow, I just don’t see any of that in Josh, except maybe the stocky bit. While reading the first book, I just couldn’t envision Peeta as anywhere near Josh in apperance. I don’t know if it’s a definite rule that the actor to be cast should fit the character’s appearance exactly, but I’m willing to bet that it plays a part. Perhaps the producers saw something in Josh, besides the obvious fact that he’s a great actor, that made them believe he really does fit the role. 

Let me share with you my rankings for who I think should play Peeta, before I saw the trailer and knew of the final casting: 

Number One Choice - Logan Lerman 

It’s not just because he’s one of my favorite teen actors out there, but because he fits the description to an absolute T. Doesn’t anybody else see that? I mean, sure, he’d have to dye his hair ashen blonde and temporarily abandon his trademark chestnut brown, but that’s all the modification that would be needed. He’d be the perfect Peeta. The chemistry between him and Jen would be effortless.

Perhaps it’s because he’s been having so many projects lately, from Percy Jackson to The Three Musketeers, and he’s just not available anymore. Oh, Logan, if only you weren’t so busy. I’ll always read the books imagining him as Peeta, though. Can’t stop me there.

Second Choice - Sterling Knight 

No, it’s not the hair. If you’ve seen him on Disney Channel’s Sonny With A Chance with Demi Lovato, you’ll see how Peeta-ble he is. He’s got that boyish charm that Peeta supposedly emits in the book. Plus, he fits the physical description, no question. 

Rank Three - Ed Speelers 

Must I say more? It’s Eragon, for Chrissakes. Everything about the photo above screams Peeta.

Choice Four - Mitch Hewer 

Anybody who’s seen Mitch as the adorable Maxxie Oliver from the first series of Skins would understand why. 

Fifth Rank - Hunter Parrish

Admittedly, I’ve only ever seen him as Luke, the son of Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin from It’s Complicated, but he looks like a promising young actor, and he might have been able to deliver some interesting layers to Peeta’s character. 

Let’s move on to Gale… 

Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne 

Perhaps it’s because I was so traumatized by watching The Last Song, which I honestly thought was such a bad movie, no offense to Nicholas Sparks or Miley Cyrus, but I never really liked seeing Liam since then. His only saving grace for me is that his brother is Thor. If only for the sake of the great Chris Hemsworth, I won’t completely hate Liam for being in that awful movie with his girlfriend. 

Seriously, though, I hope Liam has the acting chops to portray Gale. It would be complete murder if he screws up the role. 

Meanwhile, here were my potential Gales: 

Top Choice - Beau Mirchoff 

I dunno about you, but that photo above says Gale loud and clear. Sure, he’s a relatively unknown actor, but this could’ve been his biggest break yet. Too bad he didn’t get cast. 

Number Two - Aaron Johnson 

He’s Kick-Ass enough for the part. Plus, I really like him. That’s all.

Third Rank - Lucas Till 

He may look more like Peeta now, but he could pull it off. He’s got that rebellious vibe in him. He’s a viable alternative to Liam, I guess, since he’s also one of Miley’s leading men. It could’ve been a little reunion for him and Jen, too. For those who’ve been living under a rock, he played the character of Alex Summers/Havok alongside our Katniss in X-Men: First Class.

Fourth Choice - Nicholas Hoult 

He pulled off the rebellious and dark type as Tony Stonem from Skins, so this should be no problem for him. We’ve also seen his chemistry with Jen in X-Men: First Class when he played Mystique’s sweetheart, Hank McCoy/Beast, so it would’ve been a potential reunion for their team-up.

It would’ve worked well if Mitch was cast as Peeta, too. Given that Nicholas has already shared an on-screen kiss (and a little bit more) with Mitch, it should be no problem for either of them portraying characters caught in a love triangle.

And, at last, we come full circle to…  Josh Hutcherson!

Am I the only one who thinks that the producers should’ve cast their Peeta as Gale? Josh would’ve been a better Gale, in my opinion. But maybe that’s just me. 

My ancient N2630 is finally dying, and I’m getting a new cell phone for Christmas. I got my eye on several brands and models:

Nokia C3

Samsung Ch@t 335

Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro

Nokia E72

Samsung Omnia Pro B7610

Nokia E5

LG GC900 Viewty Smart

Nokia Asha 303

I’m quite partial to QWERTYs and QWERTY sliders. Which one would you recommend?