Austin Butler reveals he auditioned for major Hunger Games role
The Bikeriders star Austin Butler has revealed he auditioned for a major role in The Hunger Games.
In a new interview with BuzzFeed to promote his new biker movie, the actor explained that he read for the character of Peeta Mellark in the sci-fi franchise — which is available to watch on streaming service Prime Video.
"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?" he said.
Butler went on to praise Josh Hutcherson's performance as Peeta in the fan-favourite films, describing him as "great".
Related: Tom Hardy already wants to work with Austin Butler again
Inspired by Danny Lyon's 1968 photobook of the same name, The Bikeriders tells the story of The Vandals, a Midwestern motorcycle club that evolves from a rebellious outlaw group to a sinister gang.
The Elvis star plays group member Benny, while Killing Eve's Jodie Comer portrays Kathy, Benny's wife and the film's narrator, who recalls the group's rise and fall to journalist Danny Lyon (Mike Faist).
Peaky Blinders star Tom Hardy plays the gang's founder Johnny.
The film was directed by Jeff Nichols and also stars The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus, Bullet Train's Mike Shannon and Narcos actor Boyd Holbrook.
Related: Jodie Comer shares sweet inspiration for The Bikeriders role
In a recent interview with Digital Spy, Nichols explained how the movie was inspired by Lyon's photobook, but with his own fictional additions.
"I would say 70% of the dialogue is taken from this book, certainly of Kathy's dialogue. To say that this story follows these real people, that's not true either," he said.
"It is this really odd hybrid where we had Danny visiting these people in 1965, and then he was done. And that's all I really had. So I had to invent everything before and everything after."
Related: How to get Austin Butler's vintage leather jacket in The Bikeriders
Following its premiere in cinemas last week, The Bikeriders currently sits on an impressive 81% score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes after 211 reviews, with Digital Spy branding Comer, Butler and Hardy a "winning trio".
Butler has since landed a lead role in the upcoming crime thriller Caught Stealing following his chilling performance in Dune: Part Two.
The actor is currently filming black comedy Eddington alongside Poor Things star Emma Stone and The Last of Us actor Pedro Pascal.
The Bikeriders is in cinemas now. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is available to rent now. The previous Hunger Games movies are available to stream on Prime Video UK.
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