‘I Was Angry’ Over ‘Hunger Games’ Fame: Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Banks on Learning to Love the Franchise, Hopes for ‘I Love L.A.’ and More
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- Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Banks first met on the set of The Hunger Games, where Hutcherson played Peeta Mellark and Banks played Effie Trinket during the 2012‑2015 film series.
- Josh Hutcherson says he was initially angry and resentful about the massive fame from Hunger Games, but years later he has grown to appreciate its impact and the franchise’s continued relevance.
- Elizabeth Banks notes that the Hunger Games franchise gave her the financial stability to direct projects like Pitch Perfect 2 while raising her children, and she now sees motherhood as providing clarity.
- Josh Hutcherson describes his new role as Dylan, the grounded boyfriend in the series I Love L.A., highlighting the character’s board‑game‑obsessed personality and his involvement in season 2 filming.
- Elizabeth Banks discusses her upcoming role in The Miniature Wife, where she plays a writer literally shrunken by her scientist husband, using the premise as a metaphor for feeling small and isolated.
- Both actors reflect on the industry's uncertainty, with Hutcherson acknowledging the stress of job insecurity and Banks emphasizing her desire to keep collaborating and possibly direct more in the future.
Why it matters: Fans gain a rare glimpse into how two high‑profile actors turned early resentment of Hunger Games fame into a platform for new creative ventures, while the candid promotion of I L.A. and The Miniature Wife may boost audience interest and viewership for those projects.
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