Male Leads Cast in The Hunger Games

Lionsgate has officially announced that Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth have been officially cast as the male leads in the film adaptation of The Hunger Games:

"Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES are pleased to announce that actor Josh Hutcherson (THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT) has been cast in the role of Peeta Mellark, with Liam Hemsworth (THE LAST SONG) joining the film in the role of Gale Hawthorne in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel."

The popular book series tells the story of "a dystopic Capitol which requires its twelve subjugated districts to pay tribute in the form of a teenage boy and girl, forced to participate in the annual 'Hunger Games,' a fight-to-the-death live televised event." Jennifer Lawrence was previous cast as Katniss Everdeen and Gary Ross will be directing for a March 23, 2012 release.