Hemsworth, Hutcherson cast in adaptation of ‘Hunger Games’

Two male leads have been cast in the film adaptation of popular young adult novels “The Hunger Games.”

The series, written by Suzanne Collins, is based on a dystopian, Running Man-like future in which children fight to the death in TV competitions. Josh Hutcherson has been awarded the role of the main romantic lead, Peeta Mallark, and Liam Hemsworth will play the role of Gale Hawthorne.

Hemsworth and Hutcherson have been cast alongside Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lawrence, who is set to play the lead role of Katniss Everdeen in the hotly anticipated film. MTV suggests the casting was not a massive surprise to at least one of the stars:

Meanwhile, back in January, Hemsworth had hinted to MTV that he could very well be taking on the role of the stoic, first true love of Katniss, Gale. While Hemsworth had not met with Ross at the time, he confirmed he did read the script and told us, “[It’s] a really, really cool story,” adding, “[It’s] super dark. It’s all young kids in these Hunger Games, which are crazy, insane things.”

The film is due out in Spring of 2012.