Josh Hutcherson Talks About Peeta’s Character Arc
In a new interview with IGN, Josh Hutcherson discusses Peeta’s character arc coming out of ‘The Hunger Games’ and into ‘Catching Fire’.
IGN: Since The Hunger Games is a trilogy, did you keep the direction of Peeta as a character in your mind when you were making the first movie?
Hutcherson: I really tried not to, because in reality these characters don’t know where they’re going. So I thought it would be weird if I was too focused on what’s happening in the future, because it would take the characters out of that moment and they would be knowing things they weren’t supposed to know. I mean, obviously we all knew where it was going but I tried not to think about it too much while we were shooting. But now that it’s actually coming and we’re going to start shooting the second one, I can’t wait. I can’t stop thinking about it. And I’m really excited.
IGN: Peeta has one of the most interesting arcs of all the characters in the trilogy. Without spoiling anything for anybody who hasn’t read the books, are you looking forward to what’s coming for him?
Hutcherson: That’s one of the things I’ve been most excited about with the whole series, the fact that Peeta does have such a really great arc, and he really goes through a big transformation. I mean, in the second book, he’s caught in a situation where he’s in love with this girl and she pretends to love him back, but only as a show. And that’s like, I can’t even imagine how deep that cut has to be, to be with this girl and be parading around and kissing and holding hands and pretending like you’re in love, when you really are in love and you know that she really isn’t. That’s just a cool mind screw and I can’t wait to play that out because it will be really fun.
IGN: Yeah, you’ve just got to feel sorry for the guy.
Hutcherson: I know! He’s such a genuinely nice guy. He just wants love.
I also liked his answer when asked whether he was more a supporter of Katniss/Peeta or Katniss/Gale.
IGN: Separately from playing the role, just as a person watching the story, do you find yourself rooting for that relationship versus the Katniss and Gale relationship?
Hutcherson: Honestly, it’s so hard to say. Because both have things that really make sense. Gale has been in Katniss’ life forever, and they’ve been super close and now that they’re older it’s like, wait, what is this? And they’re trying to define what their relationship is. [Peeta] is so in love with Katniss and has known it since the first time he saw her, but then never really acted on it. He’s just kind of admired her from afar. And so to see that come to fruition as well, that’s really intriguing. So it’s really hard to say which one is the sole winner. I feel like just because Peeta has been in love with her for such a long time and it’s this kind of undying love that he’d do anything for her, that’s the one I’m rooting for. But at the same time, who’s to say that Gale doesn’t feel that same way? Gale’s totally in love with her too. So it’s really hard to say.
I love reading interviews with Josh! He seems like such a genuine and enthusiastic guy and he plays such a perfect Peeta.
You can read the entire article here.
i’ll never get tired of hearing josh speak about peeta and about the books. i just always feel like he really GETS it. not just his own character, but the others. it’s so rare to find actors that really care that much.
also, whenever he says “come to fruition” (he used the phrase again in the interview), i crack up.
Oh Joshua, what are you doing to me?! Really adore him, especially as Peeta. He really does get his character and he’s right. I root for Peeta because his arc is interesting but simple at the same time. All he wants is love and although he doesn’t have the warrior mentality and prowess of Katniss and Gale, he is easily the most head strong mentally and the most rational while still being devoted and loyal to Katniss. Katniss truly did need him from that aspect, he anchored her. So yes, you just have to love Peeta for that!
good point about not thinking too far ahead.
I don’t feel sorry for Peeta. I’m embarrassed that he’s somehow even worse with women than I am, and I’m angry that he gets away with it.
The way JH talks about his character really does make it seem like Peeta’s role is going to be pretty significantly expanded in CF.
Poor, poor Peeta.
When I was reading the books, I always wanted to give him a hug. And a friendly cuddle. And cover him with a blanket and tell him it was going to be all right and feed him some cookies. No, soup. Yes, soup is more motherly. He’s just such a sweetheart. 
Looking forward to more Hutchie as Peeta soon.
I totally agree with carla and Destined and 11thHeaven, I certainly hope so. I think at the very least it would be a waste not to expand Peeta’s character, because Josh really does GET it. I’m really hoping they give him a chance to prove that to everyone, not just us.
And @carla you took the words right out of my mouth about fruition! I totally was like, I bet no one even noticed that and I’m going to point it out and then there you are, first comment.
I love how he does that, lol. 
Oh Joshua Ryan Hutcherson, you are too perfect for the role of Peeta. *sigh* You couldn’t be any better
He gets the role completely and he IS Peeta.
Can’t wait to see how he expands Peeta as a character and interprets it.
Nice insights, as usual. I like how evenhanded he is in his assessment of the Katniss/Gale vs. Katniss/Peeta relationships. And I admire, as always, how fearless he is in his approach to playing vulnerable characters. I can’t think of another modern-day actor who commits to those emotional displays like he does.
For me, the redeeming value of THG has always been Peeta. I’m an adult reading books for the YA crowd and there are tons of books with empowered female characters destined to change the world with an attitude. So most of the time, I merely breeze through them in the book store or become sorely disappointed and stop reading halfway through. But THG was different for me because of Peeta. I know it may appear as unrealistic for some people to have someone who can have that much love but I adore his character.
I also like the difference in Peeta from books to movies since I think they strengthened his character a little more and isn’t just Katniss go-to guy.
Regardless, great interview from Josh. Among the entire cast, his interviews are the ones I’m looking forward to the most since they seem to be the most substantial.
@Anvil Gate- it doesn’t sound unrealistic at all, at least not to me. I’m bot exaggerating when I say Peeta is my favorite literary character of all time, and he definitely had as much impact on me as Katniss did. There are so many qualities Peeta has to be admired. Not only is he a genuinely good person, he is also extraordinarily smart, and he fights for what he loves and believes in in his own way. Personally, I think Peeta was on board with and participating in the rebellion before Katniss had ever wanted to. The perfect example of this is when he makes the announcement about the “baby”, or when he paints Rue during his private training session. While Katniss’ actions that contribute to the rebellion are often impulses or angry reactions, Peeta’s choices are never like that. They are just that. Pure, calculated choices. If that weren’t enough to make the entire planet fall in love with him, he’s also incredibly genuine and honest, even though he knows his feelings aren’t always returned. My top favorite Peeta moment is before the first games, the whole speech about how he doesn’t want to be a piece in their games. Peeta, simply because of who he was, was the first of the K/P pair to refuse to play the games on anyone’s terms but his own, and I feel he is just as important to the rebellion as Katniss, just in a completely different way.
Did anyone read that? I’m so sorry for boring the heck out of you
I just completely adore Peeta’s character, I love him so much it’s a bit ridiculous, and I could talk about him forever 
@Emily414 yes I did read all that and I cosign everything said! Peeta is a profound character and like Josh said, just a genuinely good guy. You gotta love him!
Once again, great comments all – gosh I love this fandom, where else could we talk about all this?? I hope we get to see more of Peeta on screen in CF, like Emily414 said I can’t wait to see those moments on screen
I will not like him, however many posts I read from fangirls.
It seems unrealistic that Peeta gets away with somehow being even worse at talking to girls than I am. Eleven years to make a move, especially when you saved her life in the meantime? Lame. Peeta is the smart but soft and shy schmuck I am more like, Gale is the awesome badass I wish I was more like. (Gale gets a lot of credit for being smart about it with the snares) Granted, why didn’t Gale make a move until Catching Fire and why was it so awkward? I think choosing Peeta even reflects badly on Katniss.
With that Team Gale rant out of the way…
@carla – I like ‘come to fruition’ too.
@Emily414 – favorite ever? Get a grip. And I’m not saying that just because I’m anti-Peeta. A lot of fans of modern stuff get overenthusiastic even when it is any good. It seems disrespectful to classics. My favorite movie is still Seven Samurai, darn it.
@AnvilGate –
I’m also someone besides a teenage girl reading books intended for teenage girls. I sometimes feel bad about it. That does create a challenge in approaching the series.
The series has a lot to offer to people besides teenage girls, but that targeting sometimes affects the presentation. The love triangle, a balanced and well-done part of the story, doesn’t make it feel girly. The strong female lead does, however tomboyish she may be.
Focusing on other characters does seem like a way around this, whomever your favorites are. I write a lot of guy-focused fanfic (I try to avoid watering down the female characters). Having male/female tribute pairs was one way to expand the audience. Several of the male characters seem like great role models as well. I can somewhat identify with them. Are they written as female fantasy guys?
Yeah, the series does have everything.
It could be worse, but THG still sets me off here. I don’t want to pretend girl stuff is guy-appropriate, and sometimes even gender-neutral doesn’t seem good enough.
Why I’m concerned about that is another issue.
Some people (including Arthur Guinness) helped calm me down.
@Alan – hang in there. In real life, nice guys don’t always finish last. If that’s consistently been your experience, you may be going after the wrong kind of girl.
@SPM
I haven’t had a crush like Peeta’s, but if I did, I don’t think I would have waited that long to do something about it, whether or not I got shot down.
Gale seems like a good guy, so it’s not a matter of nice wimp versus tough jerk – you seem to be criticizing the latter.