Little by little The Hunger Games movie is starting to gain some speed and movement, something that has to make fans of Suzanne Collins’ novels giddy with joy. First, Gary Ross (Seabiscuit)was chosen to direct, presumably and hopefully, the first of three movies. Ross was given a budget of $60 million and stated he hopes to begin production later this Spring. Since Ross’ hiring, the movie has been confirmed to be PG-13 and recently a casting director – Debra Zane – was hired. Now the big news, aside from all the casting rumors, is The Hunger Games will hit theaters on March 23, 2012, going up against Wrath of the Titans, the sequel to last year’s Clash of the Titans. This is a good sign for The Hunger Games because, as everyone now knows, March is now the unofficial start of summer in Hollywood.

Back to those casting rumors. Fans have to hope the recent hiring of a casting director means they’ll soon know who will be playing the beloved characters, particularly, Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Gale Hawthorne, Primrose Everdeen, Haymitch Abernathy and President Snow. It’s been well documented at AndyatTheMovies.com on the various casting rumors regarding Katniss Everdeen – the most recent being True Grit star and Oscar nominee, Hailee Steinfeld, but I have yet to speculate on any other character. With that said, recent reports suggest that I Am Number Four and Beastly star, Alex Pettyfer, is up for the role of Peeta Mellark, something I definitely could get behind. I haven’t seen him act, but based solely on looks, I think he’d fit the bill nicely. One rumor I hope isn’t true is the possible casting of Abigail Breslin as Katniss Everdeen. I loved Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine and in Zombieland, but her personality and looks are miles away from what the tough-as-nails Katniss deserves and needs.

Are there any other actors and actresses you’d like to see considered for the main characters in The Hunger Games? If you were the casting director, who would you pick?