Josh Hutcherson on Pranking Jennifer Lawrence and on the ‘Hunger Games’

Here is another great interview with Josh Hutcherson, who recently spoke with New York Magazine about not only The Hunger Games and his character Peeta, but also we get some insight on Josh being quite a prankster on the set!

So how did you first come across The Hunger Games books? What was your reaction?

I read them as soon as I found out they were being made into films. I went and got the books, and I devoured them. I read like eight hours a day! And I just fell in love with them. I love the whole world that was created, and I like the parts that are based in this reality, like how reality television is, and how our government is the one percent and we’re the 99 percent.

What’s your approach to playing Peeta?

I feel like I’m a lot like Peeta, and I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t get the part. Wouldn’t I be a bad actor if I couldn’t play myself? I think one of my biggest struggles was getting Peeta to be as strong as possible. He can come across a little soft — because he’s admitting his love for Katniss, and he’s sensitive. But he’s got a backbone. He’s got strong beliefs. He’s a people person. And we have the same sense of humor.

But you’re more of a prankster …

Well, on Journey, I had this running prank going when we were shooting in the jungle, where I would take a stick, or a twig, and poke it in someone’s ear and make them think they had bugs crawling in there. Vanessa [Hudgens] and I were messing with Luis [Guzman] for about eight minutes once, poking something in his ear, pulling it out, watching him freak out. It was so hard not to laugh. And finally he went, “I see you.” That was the best one for sure. And on Hunger Games, I took a dummy, one that the tracker-jackers were supposed to have attacked, and I put it in Jennifer’s bathroom, and when she opened the door, she peed her pants. Or so I was told — she told me later. I did not get visual confirmation on that one. I think I’m basically a 5-year-old at heart.

Have you heard that there are people throwing Hunger Games parties now, where they dress up as the characters? Kristen Bell had one for her 30th birthday.

That’s crazy. Hilarious. If someone invited me to one of those, I’d have to go as Katniss. That’s the only way to go.

Who knew Josh could be such a prankster?! If you were to attend a Hunger Games party who would you dress up as, and why? It sounds like it would be fun!

Read the full interview at New York Magazine.

Tags: Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Peeta

Category: Josh Hutcherson