The Hunger Games premiered in 2012 and kicked off one of the most popular movie franchises based on a book series since Harry Potter and Twilight. The dystopian action movie was adapted from the first novel in Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games trilogy and helped launch the film career of future Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence. Other cast members included Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Lenny Kravitz, and many other talented actors. The film revolves around a post-apocalyptic nation called Panem that is led by the tyrannical and cruel Capitol, and audiences everywhere were hooked on the movie’s unique and complex story.
Principal photography on The Hunger Games began in May 2011 and ended in September 2011, only about six months before its theatrical release. Given the movie’s dystopian backdrop, the producers settled on the versatile locations in North Carolina to serve as the filming locations for the adaptation. When the cast began shooting The Hunger Games, most were of similar ages to their characters (except for one glaring outcast, but the books explain that).
Jennifer Lawrence (20) As Katniss Everdeen (16)
Jennifer Lawrence was only four years older than Katniss Everdeen when she filmed The Hunger Games in the summer of 2011. She was 20 years old, while Katniss was picked as District 12’s female tribute when she was 16. Lawrence turned 21 on August 15, 2011, so the actress celebrated her birthday while filming the post-apocalyptic project. Related: The Hunger Games Proved Katniss’ True Love Was Always Peeta (Not Gale)
Josh Hutcherson (18) As Peeta Mellark (16)
Jennifer Lawrence’s main scene partner in The Hunger Games, Josh Hutcherson, was 18 years old when he started playing Peeta Mellark in 2011. Peeta was the same age as Katniss in the first film (16), so Hutcherson was only two years older than the Boy With the Bread at the beginning of production. However, whereas the actor was close in age to Peeta, he did have to change one aspect of himself for the part — Hutcherson dyed his naturally brown hair blonde before filming The Hunger Games.
Liam Hemsworth (21) As Gale Hawthorne (18)
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Gale Hawthorne was two years older than Katniss in The Hunger Games, but Liam Hemsworth was actually born the same year as Jennifer Lawrence. Gale was 18 years old during the first film, meaning he partook in his final reaping in the story, while Hemsworth was 21 when he shot his scenes. So he was the oldest of the Big Three in The Hunger Games cast.
Woody Harrelson (49) As Haymitch Abernathy (40)
Katniss and Peeta’s mentor in The Hunger Games, Haymitch Abernathy, was 40 years old when he met the two future victors in the movie. The first film took place 24 years after the 50th Hunger Games, which Haymitch won at 16. In real life, Woody Harrelson, who played Haymitch in all four movies, was 49 years old when the cast and crew began filming in May 2011. Just like Jennifer Lawrence, Harrelson’s birthday fell in the middle of production, so he turned 50 while on set.
Elizabeth Banks (37) As Effie Trinket (30s)
Effie Trinket has a more significant role in The Hunger Games movie than she did in the book, so it’s a bit difficult to gauge how old she is in the first film. However, it is safe to say that the District 12 escort is in her thirties. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Banks, who played Effie in The Hunger Games, was 37 years old when filming started.
Lenny Kravitz (47) As Cinna (30s)
Katniss’s beloved stylist, Cinna, was in his 30s during his time in The Hunger Games film series. Like Effie, neither the books nor the movies state his concrete age, but based on context clues, it’s evident that Cinna is in his thirties. However, in real life, Cinna’s portrayer, Lenny Kravitz, was 47 years old while shooting The Hunger Games in May 2011.
Stanley Tucci (50) As Caesar Flickerman (70s)
Stanley Tucci is the only The Hunger Games actor who varies significantly from his character’s age. Although Caesar Flickerman’s specific age is never mentioned, it’s assumed that he is either in his seventies or eighties. Meanwhile, Tucci was only 50 years old when he filmed his scenes for the first film. But, since his character had access to expensive procedures and products, Caesar was able to make himself look younger. He was a Capitol citizen through and through.
Donald Sutherland (75) As President Snow (82)
When the cast and crew began production on The Hunger Games in May 2011, Donald Sutherland was 75 years old. He was seven years younger than his evil character, President Coriolanus Snow, who was 82 years old when he first came across the person who would eventually become his undoing (the Mockingjay). Like a few actors in the cast, Sutherland celebrated a birthday and turned 76 while filming. Related: 10 Ways Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Will Be Nothing Like The Hunger Games Movies
Willow Shields (10) As Primrose Everdeen (12)
Katniss’s little sister, Primrose Everdeen, was four years younger than in the books, making her 12 when she participated in her first reaping in The Hunger Games. As a 12-year-old, Primrose was eligible to be picked to represent District 12, and she was until Katniss volunteered to take her place. In real life, Willow Shields, the actress who played Primrose, was 10 years old when principal photography began on The Hunger Games. However, she turned 11 in the middle of filming.
Amandla Stenberg (12) As Rue (12)
Amandla Stenberg was the only star in The Hunger Games cast who was the same age as her character when she filmed the movie. The actress was 12 years old when she played the District 11 tribute, and Rue was also 12, which is partly why she and Katniss developed a strong connection in the arena. Rue was the same age as Katniss’s sister, so the Girl on Fire could imagine what would have happened if Primrose had been in the Games.
Alexander Ludwig (19) As Cato (18)
Cato was Katniss and Peeta’s strongest opponent in The Hunger Games, and the Career was 18 years old in the film, so it was his last year to participate in the Games. Meanwhile, Cato’s portrayer, Alexander Ludwig, was only one year older than the character in real life. When filming began, Ludwig had just turned 19 years old.
Isabelle Fuhrman (14) As Clove (15)
Cato’s District 2 partner was Clove, who was 15 years old when she participated in the 74th Hunger Games. Isabelle Fuhrman played Clove in the post-apocalyptic movie, and the actress was 14 years old when principal photography began. So Fuhrman was only one year younger than her character during production, keeping in line with the casting team hiring actors close to their characters’ ages.
Jacqueline Emerson (16) As Foxface (14)
Foxface does not have any speaking lines in The Hunger Games, but she remains one of the more memorable tributes in the 74th Hunger Games. According to the books, the District 5 tribute was 14 years old when she competed in the ruthless competition. Jacqueline Emerson, who played Foxface in the movie, was 16 years old during the beginning of production and turned 17 while filming. Related: The Hunger Games Movies Weirdly Cut An Important Detail About Katniss & Peeta’s Relationship
Wes Bentley (32) As Seneca Crane (?)
Unfortunately, the age of the last significant character in the 2012 dystopian movie, Seneca Crane, is unknown. The Head Gamemaker was likely in his thirties during the 74th Hunger Games, but neither the book nor the movie gives Seneca a concrete age. Meanwhile, Wes Bentley, who played Seneca, was 32 years old while shooting The Hunger Games.
