Both Josh Hutcherson and Alex Pettyfer have been vocal about meeting with The Hunger Games producers to discuss the leading role of Peeta Mellark and now Hunter Parrish is throwing his hat into the casting ring. Just last night, the Weeds star told E! that he has also met with producers and would "be grateful" to get the coveted part. But can the 23-year-old actor be convincing as a 16-year-old in the Gary Ross film adaptation, especially after spending six seasons on a Showtime series about marijuana? Movieline investigates below.
In spite of that whole "seven-year age gap" (which will only grow before shooting begins), Parrish's role on Showtime's black comedy series Weeds may have actually prepared him for the role of Peeta. Consider the following:
· Like Peeta, whose parents died in a tragic fire raid, Parrish's Weeds character Silas was left without a father after he suffered a fatal heart attack. His mother's illegal (and time-consuming!) career has meant that he had to virtually raise himself and his younger brother Shane.
· Peeta is the son of a baker. Silas is the son of a drug dealer who once posed as a baker for tax evasion purposes.
· Depending on who is cast as Peeta's love interest Katniss (although it looks like it will be Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence), Parrish might have to share a love scene with a much younger actress. Fortunately, Parrish has experience with illicit love scenes as he shared a few with Julie Bowen, who is 18 years his senior, on Weeds.
· Parrish is blond and blue-eyed.
· Finally, like Peeta, Silas has gone to extreme lengths to protect the most important woman in his life.
Are you convinced that Hunter Parrish would make a good Peeta Mellark?
· Weeds Star Hunter Parrish Also Being Considered For Peeta In The Hunger Games [CinemaBlend