Austin Butler Says He Auditioned For ‘The Hunger Games’ But Didn’t Receive a Call Back

Austin Butler once faced rejection for one of television’s most coveted roles. In a candid chat with Buzzfeed, Butler opened up about his audition for the role of Peeta in ‘The Hunger Games.’ While this character became a significant turning point in Josh Hutcherson’s career, Butler remembers his own experience with the audition as a complete failure.

Butler isn’t the only one with tales of near-misses. His co-star, Jodie Comer, also revealed that she faced rejections for notable roles in ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Killing Eve.’ Speaking to Buzzfeed, Comer shared that she never received any callbacks for those auditions, much to her disappointment.

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Reflecting on his failed attempt at securing the Peeta role, Butler said, “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? Josh Hutcherson got that, he’s great.”

Despite missing out on ‘The Hunger Games,’ Butler found success in other projects. Around the same time, he starred in the hit series ‘The Carrie Diaries,’ a prequel to ‘Sex and the City.’ His career continued to flourish, leading to a role in the blockbuster franchise ‘Dune: Part Two.’

‘The Hunger Games’ series, meanwhile, is set to expand with a new story titled ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.’ This narrative will delve into the world of Panem 24 years before the original ‘Hunger Games’ events. Although details are scarce, the project is anticipated for a 2026 release.