The buzz around "The Hunger Games" has been building for months. The film isn't due out until March 23; however, with tickets going on sale in less than two weeks, we think its as good a time as any to become familiar with the cast of Hollywood's next big money maker.
The film, based on the best-selling series by Suzanne Collins, takes place in a future utopia split into twelve districts where each year two children between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen to participate in a fight to the death.
(Imagine the dystopian future featured in Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" meshed together with the television-based killing competition of Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1987 film "The Running Man.")
Although you may have heard Jennifer Lawrence plays the lead, we doubt you know the entire cast. Not only does the film feature a handful of Oscar nominees, but many familiar faces are all grown up and hidden under their costumed characters.
The three lead characters dyed their hair for the film, Elizabeth Banks is covered in pale, white makeup, Stanley Tucci wigs out and a one girl is all grown up from a recent horror flick.
Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdene)
If you find Jennifer Lawrence unrecognizable as a brunette, you're not the only one.
Lawrence turned down the lead in "Savages" for "The Hunger Games," winning the lead role over the likes of Shailene Woodley, Emma Roberts and Abigail Breslin. Not surprising considering Lawrence is no stranger to kicking tail.
In 2010, she made a huge splash with her Oscar nominated performance as the Ozark mountain girl Ree, who hunts down her father in "Winter's Bone."
Lawrence was also in last year's hit "X-Men: First Class" where she played the young Mystique.
Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark)
Josh Hutcherson was featured in another 2010 Oscar nominated flick: "The Kids Are All Right."
Mostly, Hutcherson is known for his kid flicks, including "Bridge to Terabithia" and the "Journey to the Center of the Earth" franchise.
In "The Hunger Games," he'll play the male tribute from District 12 alongside Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss.
Alexander Ludwig (Cato)
Alexander Ludwig is known for another film featuring "The Rock." The 19 year old was featured in Disney's 2009 "Race to Witch Mountain."
Yes, that's the same guy. Alexander Ludwig grew up a lot in the past three years. Currently, he's a student at USC.
He'll play one of Katniss' foes, Cato, in "The Hunger Games."
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