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Wide ScreenLiam Hemsworth talks to Yahoo! Canada Movies about hitting it big with ‘The Hunger Games’
They say that good things come to those who wait, and Liam Hemsworth is living proof of that maxim. Although he's been in Hollywood only a few years, the Australian actor is slowly but surely making his mark on Tinsel Town.
A number of unfortunate events and close calls have so far kept Hemsworth from truly breaking through in North America, but he hasn't let that deter him.
After making it big on television in his home country, Liam followed in the footsteps of his older brother Chris ("Thor") and made the move "Stateside" in 2009. He lost out on lead roles in "The Expendables" (he does appear in the film's upcoming sequel however) and Marvel's big-budget "Thor" (to his older brother, no less). But things began looking up for the actor in 2010 when the heartthrob starred opposite his now-girlfriend Miley Cyrus in the romantic drama "The Last Song." Hemsworth was soon cast in the big-screen adaptation of "The Hunger Games," which is based on Suzanne Collins's book of the same name.
It's a film that will likely change the actor's fortunes for good. Hemsworth spoke to Yahoo! Canada earlier this week about "The Hunger Games," his co-stars, and what the future holds for his character.
In the sci-fi action-adventure, Hemsworth plays Gale Hawthorne, a young man from the working-class District 12 who works hard to provide for his family and friends. Gale spends much of the film helplessly sidelined as his friend (and possible romantic interest) Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) fights for her life against 23 other teenagers in the annual Hunger Games.
The games are a brutal competition designed by the ruling elite of the nation of Panem to keep the people of its impoverished districts in line. When asked whether or not he was envious of his co-stars getting all the action in the film, Hemsworth sided with his character.
"The thing I related to most about [Gale] is that he's passionate about not being in these games and he's trying to find a way to get away from it and a way to fight back," said Hemsworth.
Unlike his co-stars who had to bulk up for their more physical roles, Hemsworth had to do the opposite. "My character is hunting for food every day for him and his family, so he's not eating a lot," he said. "Losing weight was the big part for me."
All told, the actor lost more than 15 pounds for the role. He said his rigorous training regimen, combined with eating less, helped him understand what hunger can do to a person's body and mind.
When asked about the pivotal "Reaping" scene in which the competitors (or "tributes") from each district are chosen to compete in the Hunger Games, Hemsworth called it one of the most physically draining scenes to film.
"It was hot — over a hundred degrees — and we had young extras fainting on set and getting dehydrated because people were standing out in the Carolina sun for four days."
The actor said the scene also took an emotional toll on everyone. "Standing in this crowd of 300 or 400 people, waiting for a name to be called, you couldn't not think about who was going to leave and probably not come back," he said. "I really felt the emotion in that scene."
It was also a big scene for Hemsworth's co-star Jennifer Lawrence. Katniss volunteers in her younger sister's place after the younger Everdeen's name is chosen in the Reaping. Hemsworth said he enjoyed working with Lawrence and had high praise for her performance.
"When someone is that good you don't have to really do anything," Hemsworth said. "Half the work is completely done for you, and you just don't feel like you're acting."
Hemsworth believes audiences will have as much fun with the film as he had shooting it, but the actor hopes that viewers -- particularly the younger ones -- take something away from the experience at the end of the day.
"There's a lot of great messages in the film," he said proudly. "I'm an ambassador for the Australian Childhood Foundation, and a big part of these books is child abuse." On that very serious subject reality television quickly came up and Hemsworth went on the attack.
"Things like 'Toddlers & Tiaras' are just completely ridiculous," said Hemsworth, shaking his head. "You have young children that don't know what they're doing and are too young to make their own decisions, and you have these parents that are allowing and forcing them to do it. I believe that's child abuse."
The actor says it mirrors "The Hunger Games" and hopes that the film can help bring this unfortunate, but very real issue to the forefront.
The discussion wasn't all doom and gloom, though. Even in the week of the film's release, Hemsworth still seems amazed by the hype surrounding the film. "When we signed up for it, I don't think we realized just how big it was going to be." The actor said everyone on set was so focused on making the best movie they could that there wasn't much time to think about anything else.
"There were too many people that were a part of this that were also huge fans of the books," said Hemsworth. "They all wanted to see the best possible version come out."
The actor remains thankful for the opportunities he's had in Hollywood. When asked if he and his hammer-wielding hero brother ever talk about how crazy their lives have become, Hemsworth remained humble. "Yeah, we do, but I think we're both able to step back from what's going on and realize just how lucky we are and how funny it all is that we're here doing this."
It's that kind of modesty that will serve Hemsworth well if "The Hunger Games" becomes the box office hit that it's predicted to be.
And as for what can fans look forward to from Gale Hawthorne in those inevitable "Hunger Games" sequels? Hemsworth sounded very excited about his character's future adventures.
"Gale becomes a big part of the uprising and rebellion in the third book," said Hemsworth, visibly perking up at the thought. "You'll all get to see just how deeply passionate he can get, how it can get the best of him, and how he might go a little crazy at times."
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