First Look: Meet the Men of The Hunger Games

Here come the handsome men of The Hunger Games.

Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson grace the cover of Entertainment Weekly in character for the upcoming film based on the young adult novel by Suzanne Collins. The Australian Hemsworth plays Gale, best friend to the film's heroine, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence). Hutcherson — who dyed his hair blond and beefed up for the role — stars as Peeta, Katniss' partner-in-crime in the harrowing games that pits 24 tributes from the 12 districts in a fight to the death.

First Look: Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in The Hunger Games

Although Gale and Peeta are rivals at times throughout the trilogy, Hutcherson says the two are buddies off camera. "I think it's going to blow people's minds when they see that Peeta and Gale are actually best friends in real life," he says.

May the odds be ever in their favor — for Katniss' heart. The Hunger Games will be released on March 23, 2012.

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