Josh Hutcherson Considered for Another Big Movie Franchise Before Getting His Hunger Games Role

Josh Hutcherson attends the premiere of A24’s ‘Marty Supreme’ on Dec. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Savion Washington/FilmMagic

Josh Hutcherson Reflects on Near Miss for Spider-Man Role

In a recent episode of Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast, Dinner’s on Me, actor Josh Hutcherson revealed that he was once considered for the role of Spider-Man before ultimately being cast as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games film series. Hutcherson described the experience as “heartbreaking” for a teenager who “really wanted to be Spider-Man.”

“I had gotten told ‘no’ to Spider-Man, which as a teenager felt heartbreaking,” Hutcherson recounted. "It’s wild how things turned out. Just a few months before I got cast in Hunger Games, I was in the running to be Spider-Man."

This admission comes at an exciting time for Hutcherson, as reports suggest that he and Jennifer Lawrence are expected to reprise their roles in an upcoming Hunger Games prequel titled Sunrise on the Reaping. While details about their characters have yet to be disclosed, both characters notably appear in an epilogue chapter of the original book series.

Hutcherson’s journey in the film industry has been remarkable. After being turned down for Spider-Man, he took on the role of Peeta, which played a significant role in shaping his career. “Then, like a few months later, I got cast in Hunger Games, which is like the craziest turn of events,” he said. “Hunger Games just came out of nowhere, and it just changed everything.”

The first installment of The Hunger Games hit theaters in 2012 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, followed by several sequels, including Catching Fire and Mockingjay parts one and two. Meanwhile, the role of Spider-Man ultimately went to Andrew Garfield, who starred in The Amazing Spider-Man series, further solidifying his own place in superhero film history.

Josh Hutcherson in ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1’.

Murray Close/Lionsgate

Now, as Hutcherson reflects on his career and the near miss with Spider-Man, he acknowledges the unpredictable nature of Hollywood. “It’s just crazy how it works,” he added.

Hutcherson has established himself as a versatile actor in various other projects, including Bridge to Terabithia, The Beekeeper, and the HBO comedy series I Love LA. His contributions to the industry continue to resonate as he prepares for the next chapter in the Hunger Games saga.

As anticipation builds for Sunrise on the Reaping, the legacy of Hutcherson’s Peeta character remains deeply ingrained in both fans’ hearts and the cinematic landscape.