The hottest project around town for young actresses appears to be “The Hunger Games.” The franchise ready film has already seen a number of names circling the lead role of Katniss Everdeen including Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Jennifer Lawrence, Chloe Moretz, Lyndsy Fonseca, Emma Roberts, Saoirse Ronan, Kaya Scodelario, Emily Browning and Shailene Woodley; and that’s just the ones we know of as thirty actresses have met or read for the part. However, there is also a male lead part, Peeta Mellark, the love interest of sorts for Katniss and fellow District 12 resident. And naturally, a rising young name has been linked.
Speaking with Access Hollywood, Alex Pettyfer confirmed he had been approached for the part but is not yet certain he wants to take it on. “Yes I did,” Pettyfer said confirming he had talked with producers. “Yes, but undecided yet, still [waiting] to see a script.” We suppose that policy wasn’t in place when he signed on for “Beastly.”
We can understand Pettyfer weighing his options before signing anything, because he is being groomed to be the next big young thing in Hollywood. His name has cropped up as a potential lead for “The Bourne Legacy,” he’s in talks for “The Last Apprentice” with Jeff Bridges and Jennifer Lawrence and a biopic of race car drive James Hunt is being developed for him as well. After starring in two back-to-back tween skewing films — “I Am Number Four” and “Beastly” — we could see him wanting to not get stuck in those kinds of roles.
What the rumors about his supposed attitude problems, the bottom line is Pettyfer is clearly still a guy producers want to topline their franchise. But we’re sure his is just one name of a number that will eventually come forward.
In case you’re wondering what all the noise about this movie is about, it’s based on a hugely successful series of books; the story is set in the near future and follows the tale of 16-year-old heroine Katniss Everdeen who takes the place of her sister, who has been enlisted for a national televised blood sport, in which the 12 newly formed states of North America each supply two teenagers to fight. Gary Ross will direct the film that will land in theaters in about a year from now on March 23, 2012.
