Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
The Winter's Bone star stunned the world at this year's Oscars, so it came as no surprise when she landed the biggest young actress role at the moment: badass, bow-slinging Hunger Games contender Katniss Everdeen.
An Oscar nominee at age 20, Lawrence will only be flying up from here—especially if she nails this brave and complicated character.
WATCH LIVE: We're livestreaming The Hunger Games premiere on March 12!
Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
Despite the immediate uproar that Hemsworth was cast while looking nothing like his character's description in the book, we think he's great as one of the two romantic leads.
The stud is slated to play Ali Baba in a remake of Arabian Nights, out later this year, too. So if Liam can pull that off, he can play whoever your Hunger hearts desire. Plus, it's not always about looking the part, especially since Liam's definitely got the acting chops.
Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
The cutie from The Kids Are Alright has a quite different character on his hands as he takes on playing one of the lead roles from Suzanne Collins' bestselling adventures. A lot of fans thought Josh and Liam Hemsworth (Gale) should just swap hairdos prior to production, since Peeta is explicitly described as a blondie with Gale having dark hair. Turns out, Josh is such a good actor he beat out all those blonde boys vying for the role. Not to mention he's got one long movie-making resume for his age.
Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket
This is hands down our favorite casting! Well, that is until we hear about Haymitch. Funny and talented, Banks has already started running lines via Twitter and is excited for her sassy role as Effie. Her character—super OCD-like—works closely with Katniss and Peeta to get them ready for the Games. Elizabeth will be working even more charm than she did in Seabiscuit, we are so sure.
Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy
There was much speculation as to who would fill the role of Haymitch, but Woody ultimately ended up getting the gig as Katniss' curmudgeonly alcoholic mentor.
After news of the casting broke, Hunger Games director Gary Ross released this statement: "Haymitch is such an unforgettable character: funny cranky outrageous, sarcastic, impatient, biting but ultimately kind. I'm so grateful we have Woody Harrelson to play him. I can't wait for us to get to work."
Neither can we!
Lenny Kravitz as Cinna
The wait is over! The smokin' hot singer is gonna go our way and fill those smart stylist shoes. Cinna creates Katniss' whole "Girl of Fire" tribute persona for the Hunger Games' Capitol festivities, and we can't wait to see Mr. Kravitz rock that on the big screen.
"When I saw Lenny's work in Precious, I was just knocked out," Games director Gary Ross told the Hollywood Reporter. "It was quiet and strong and understated and open-hearted: all qualities which define this character."
Kravitz's previous film work also includes playing himself The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Zoolander.
Paula Malcomson as Mrs. Everdeen
Paula is one of the bigger names we are thrilled to see join the cast! Maybe you recognize her from Battlestar Galactica prequel Caprica? We have no doubt that Paula will rock 'n' roll her way through the part of Katniss' put-upon Mommy Everdeen!
Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen
This fresh face will work perfectly with Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss's li'l sister. While the actress has little experience, Willow looks beyond the part. Case in point, in the books Katniss describes Prim's face "as fresh as a raindrop, as lovely as the primrose for which she was named." Nailed it with this one!
Stanley Tucci as Caeser Flickerman
After mastering the roles of flamboyant fashionisto in The Devil Wears Prada and super-creepy murderer in The Lovely Bones, we're sure Stanley Tucci will do an excellent job as Caesar Flickerman, the upbeat TV host of the Hunger Games.
Flickerman, a Seacrest-like character, is known for his buyoant personality and upbeat interviews with the 24 tributes. Flickerman appears in all three of Suzanne Collins' novels, so it sounds like Tucci better be clearing his schedule for the next few years!
Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane
The hunk is one of the not-so-new actors joining the Hunger crew. He has played in some pretty big flicks, including Ghost Rider, Jonah Hex, The Four Feathers and, duh, American Beauty. He will play the role of the head gamemaker for the 74th Hunger Games, where he'll make life hell for Katniss and Peeta.
Toby Jones as Claudius Templesmith
Actor Toby Jones will be taking on the role of Hunger Games arena announcer, Claudius Templesmith.
You may recognize Toby from his role as Truman Capote in Infamous or Karl Rove in W.
Jones is also the voice behind Dobby in the Harry Potter series and will now use that famous voice for his trademark Hunger Games line: "And may the odds be ever in your favor!"
Amandla Stenberg as Rue
Los Angeles born and raised, Amandla's name means "power" in Zulu, and that's exactly what we hope she will bring to her role as the District 11 tribute and Katniss ally. She's appeared in a few films but is for sure considered a Hollywood newbie.
Isabelle Fuhrman as Clove
Please welcome Isabelle Fuhrman as District 2 Tribute, Clove.
Fuhrman, who has been cast in the pivotal tribute role, is best known for playing the creepy Esther in The Orphan. The fourteen-year-old actress also played Gretchen Dennis opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt on Ghost Whisperer, which garnered her a Young Artist Award nomination and will appear as a lead in the upcoming Salvation Boulevard alongside Pierce Brosnan, Jennifer Connelly, Marisa Tomei and Ed Harris.
Alexander Ludwig as Cato
Alexander Ludwig, 19, who will be playing District 2's Cato, is currently enrolled as a theater major at the University of Southern California. But you may recognize this Canadian cutie as Seth from 2009's Race to Witch Mountain—or Will from The Seeker: The Dark is Rising.
Dayo Okeniyi as Thresh
Raised in Lagos, this actor took Los Angeles by storm just last year and has quickly landed his first studio film. Before nabbing the supporting (and important) role as District 11's male tribute, Dayo played the lead in the upcoming indie horror flick Slew Hampshire.
Jacqueline Emerson as Foxface
Playing the sly and clever tribute from District 5 should be no feat for Emerson, who had one big voiceover casting in the TV series Father of the Pride. Ironically though, Emerson's character says not one word in the book. Will she get some lines?
Leven Rambin as Glimmer
Rambin's District 1 tribute has one of the most crucial roles, at least in the first book. A bigger name than the rest of the fresh faces, Leven has had recurring roles on One Tree Hill, Wizards of Waverly Place, CSI: Miami, Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy. From TV to the big screen, the babe is talented and fabulously beautiful.
Jack Quaid as Marvel
Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan's son is set to play District 1's male tribute, and this will be Jack's on-screen debut. Needless to say, mini Quaid has loads to prove on the professional and home fronts with both his parents having successful acting careers. Marvel is a rather thuggish character in the book, giving Jack some rough edges to play with. Good luck to him!
Amber Chaney as Avox Girl
Amber Chaney is the newest actress to join The Hunger Games cast as the Avox Girl.
In the Suzanne Collins novel, an Avox is someone who has been punished for rebelling against the Capitol and are unable to speak because their tongues have been cut out as a result.
Chaney has previously appeared in the TV series Meet the Browns, The Rising Son and Somebodies.
Ian Nelson: District 3 Tribute
The cute, green-eyed Nelson landed the role of District 3's tech junkie, whose nerd-skills comes in very handy during the Games. While he's not an A-lister just yet, Ian definitely has the cutesy potential to turn some heads in Hollywood.
Kalia Prescott: District 3 Tribute
A black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Prescott has joined a cast of stunt double professionals with her powerful kicks. Her character, however, is more on the emotional side during one specific part in the series (you remember, fans?). Kalia better get her tears in order—as well as those kicks!
Tara Macken: District 4 Tribute
Way more experienced than her district counterpart, Macken has worked on a list of movies recently including the upcoming Spy Kids 4 and The Lincoln Lawyer. She was, of course, a stunt double. Oh, and look for Tara's character to get a little extra-special screen-time with Peeta, right?
Ethan Jamieson: District 4 Tribute
Congrats to this young'un, who just landed his first film role. The freckled-faced kid has no experience aside from his 2010 gig in a small TV movie, The Rusty Bucket Kids: Lincoln, Journey to 16 and his 2009 role as Kid No. 2 on one episode of One Tree Hill.
Chris Mark: District 5 Tribute
Enter another stunt master! Mark has done stunt work in several successful productions: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Kick-Ass, and the TV movie Path to 9/11. He is also a frequent double on the hit TV series Nikita, but we're sure his part as a District 5 tribute in The Hunger Games will be taking some major precedence for now.