Austin Butler is widely recognized for his work on Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, but more than ten years ago, fans could have met him in another massive franchise – The Hunger Games.
Austin Butler in Elvis / Universal Pictures
The critically acclaimed actor admitted auditioning for the movie, and obviously, he did not land a role. With the hype and fame of the dystopian film, it would have changed the trajectory of his career.
Austin Butler Auditioned For The Role Of Peeta Mellark
During his interview with BuzzFeed Celeb on YouTube, actor Austin Butler revealed he tried to audition for Peeta Mellark’s part in The Hunger Games. Had he won the role, he would have been Jennifer Lawrence’s partner both in love and in the games.
I auditioned for The Hunger Games, and I didn’t get it at all. I don’t even think I got a callback. What’s the character? Peeta? Yeah, Josh Hutcherson got that. He’s great.
Josh Hutcherson, who is known for Bridge to Terabithia, got the male lead role. Other actors who vied for the coveted part were Alexander Ludwig (who was later cast as Cato), Hunter Parrish, Lucas Till, and Evan Peters.
Josh Hutcherson in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay / Lionsgate
In a conversation with Variety, Butler shared how he learned to face rejection. He started acting at about age 11 and has since fallen in love with the craft.
You get told “no” so many times. 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.” So the idea was, I was just going through one of those hundreds to get to the one.
The actor even shared his own perspective when trying to land a gig. “Don’t think about it as getting the job, think about it as doing the best acting you can possibly do,” he said. “Making it about the work, not the job, really changed my perspective,” Butler added.
Many fans were surprised at the revelation that he once aspired to play Peeta Mellark. Butler would have made a good contender at the games, and netizens were also convinced that The Hunger Games lost a once-in-a-lifetime chance at having Butler on the set.
We were robbed. He would’ve been a fine Peeta pic.twitter.com/iRhD0PAFMk
— joey (@Fan_FlickOn) June 26, 2024
Oh man 🥺 now that would’ve been a role to chew up. Would’ve loved to seen that
— Nicole's Film Perspectives (@GoldenWinter_28) June 26, 2024
He would’ve been a better actor
— joey (@Fan_FlickOn) June 26, 2024
Austin Butler would’ve been a better Peeta!!👌🏻
— narsiia (@narsiia98) June 26, 2024
He should’ve got it
— VEEZE IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL (@kyleerichestt) June 26, 2024
With his good looks and acting skills, fans are convinced he really should have been cast for the role!
Some Fans Don’t Think Austin Butler Would Make A Good Peeta Mellark
Austin Butler in Elvis / Universal Pictures
On the other hand, there are fans who did not think it was a good idea to cast Austin Butler as Peeta Mellark. Josh Hutcherson nailed the portrayal of the character that he became synonymous with. Some fans even looked up photos of The Carrie Diaries star and thought it was a hard pass. Check out their comments below:
thank god he didn’t get it
— Honest Andrew 🥀 (@andrewscomet) June 26, 2024
Mmmm ten years ago.. I m not sure 😅 pic.twitter.com/V3SXXNXDEd
— Box Office Forecast 🎬 (@BoxOfficeFcst) June 26, 2024
Josh Hutcherson played that role perfectly.
— alan (@merlife2610) June 26, 2024
Peeta was cast perfectly.
— MayfairBee🐝✨ (@MayfairBeee) June 26, 2024
OH HELL NO..austin butler looks like a stick of butter that became human. thank the LORD for josh hutcherson
— madi (she/they) (@madilinlovesthg) June 26, 2024
There must be a reason why the opportunity slipped from his fingers. Butler would probably not become the actor that he is now had he experienced such chaotic fame a decade ago due to the massiveness of the franchise.
Regardless, the actor does not dwell on it, and he also thinks Hutcherson was the more fitting actor for the part.
The Hunger Games is available to watch on Netflix.
