Austin Butlerwas up for a role in the originalHunger Gamesfilm, but the odds were not in his favor. In an interview withBuzzfeed, Butler revealed he auditioned for the role of Peeta Mellark, but failed to win over producers. Josh Hutcherson won the role, appearing in the four originalHunger Gamesfilms.
While promoting his new filmThe Bikeriderswith co-star Jodie Comer, Butler discussed his career, including his recent success with roles includingplaying the King of Rock and Roll inElvisand the terrifying villain inDune Part II. When asked about roles he didn’t get, Butler revealed hisHunger Gamesaudition, which didn’t go the way he hoped. He did, however, have some kind words for the actor that beat him out for the role:
I auditioned for The Hunger Games and I didn’t get it at all. I don’t even think I got a call back. What’s the character, Peeta? Josh Hutcherson got that; he’s great.
The Hunger Games
Hutcherson’s Peeta was the male tribute for District 12 in the firstHunger Gamesfilm, fighting alongside Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen. The two eventually fell in love as they fought against the corrupt President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and the armies of Panem in the dystopian sci-fi action film series. You can view Butler’s comments on his audition for the role at the 5:20 mark in the video below.
WhileThe Hunger Gamesmade Hutcherson a worldwide star when the film was released in 2012, it took Butler a few more years before he became a household name. At the time, Butler had built up a solid resume, mostly in television, beginning with a small role in an episode ofHannah Montanain 2006. A string of minor roles (credited and uncredited) followed, mostly in Disney and Nickelodeon shows. They includedNed’s Declassified School Survival Guide,iCarly,Zoey 101, andThe Wizards of Waverly Place. Recurring roles in the seriesThe Carrie Diaries,Switched at Birth, andArroweventually led to film roles and his shot at stardom.
Austin Butler’s Best Performances, Ranked
From The Carrie Diaries to Elvis, these are Austin Butler’s best performances, ranked.
Austin Butler’s Breakthrough Year and Oscar Nomination
Although he wasn’t chosen to joinThe Hunger Gamescast, his success in recent years more than made up for it. 2019 became his breakthrough year, beginning with a role in Jim Jarmusch’s zombie comedyThe Dead Don’t Die. In July of the year, he had the memorable role of Tex Watson in Quentin Tarantino’sOnce Upon a Time…in Hollywood, and his career took off.
Butler’s next role changed his life. Baz Luhrmann cast him in the lead role in 2022’sElvis, as the director was won over by Butler’s audition tape, in which he delivered a powerful rendition of “Unchained Melody.” Butler was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor, and he became one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood.
Butler followed that with roles inDune Part II(as Feyd-Rautha) and the Apple TV+ seriesMasters of the Air. He has been rumored to be attached to a number of high-profile films in development, includingMichael Mann’s anticipated sequelHeat 2and thePirates of the Caribbeanreboot.
Butler’s new film,The Bikeriders, is currently in theaters, and a trailer can be viewed below.
