Let the "Hunger Games" begin

Writer: Naseem Randhawa

Are you hungry for the main cast of "The Hunger Games"? (From left to right), Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and Liam Hemsworth as Gale.

The much raved about adaptation of the year will bring to the screens author Suzanne Collins' best-selling story of a harsh dystopian future where humans are subjected to a televised brutal battle against one another to survive. Teenagers from each of the existing 12 Districts of former North America, are randomly chosen to compete against each other, but it brings together sixteen year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), her best friend; Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson).

Looks like a similar sort of "Twilight" love triangle in the making, however it remains to be seen if "The Hunger Games" will prove itself better this 22 March!

Having gained acclaim in "Winter's Bone", Jennifer Lawrence was further propelled into the Hollywood radar as the young Mystique in "X-Men: First Class". Now Lawrence plays the lead in "The Hunger Games" beating some 30 other actresses to secure the lead role as 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, the sole provider of her family after her father died years back in a mining accident. Her character replaces her younger sister to take part in the annual Hunger Games where she has to rely on her skills and wits to survive. Things however get complicated when she meets Peeta on the field much to her childhood best friend's dismay, Gale.

Josh Hutcherson who may be familiar to many through his roles in "Zathura", Bridge To Terabitia", "Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" and "Journey To The Center Of The Earth", has landed the much coveted role as the protagonist; Peeta Mellark. As a baker's son with, Peeta harbours a secret crush for Katniss that has been festering since he was 5-years-old. Described as a romantic, Peeta also strives to do whatever it takes to make sure Katniss survives the deadly games with his combat skills.

Liam Hemsworth the younger brother of "Thor" actor Chris Hemsworth, was only introduced to the wider public with his mostly shirtless role alongside popstar Miley Cyrus in "The Last Song". With that, it didn't take long for the 20-year-old buff actor to get noticed as an emerging face to watch, thus allowing him to land a part in the most anticipated movie of the year. As Katniss' childhood best friend and hunting partner, Gale Hawthorne's dad had also died in a mining accident hence their close bond. Also harbouring a crush for Katniss', Gale's motives later on are then questioned as he lets his jealousy of Peeta Mellark get the best of him.

It's rather strange to be seeing a 4 time Grammy winning rockstar of Lenny Kravitz's caliber to be playing a stylist in "The Hunger Games", but lo and behold, Kravitz indeed does just that as Cinna, Katniss' personal stylist in the Games. Since his acting debut with "Precious" in 2009, Kravitz's role is as a fabulous and brilliant visionary who picks Katniss to be his muse and product. He also coaches Katniss' public persona to generate a favourable publicity front for her advantage.

Elizabeth Banks who is probably most well known as actor Paul Rudd's most frequent co-star, what with having appeared in over five films together, now plays Effie Trinket, a character so eccentric in nature whom is best described as a cross between Lady Gaga and Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland's" Mad Hatter. Effie is an administrator of the Hunger Games and her character serves as a bubbly escort to the players as she often tries to keep their spirits up much to the players' annoyance.

After nabbing the role of Haymitch Abernathy from John C. Reily ("Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"), Harrelson dons some blond locks for this role. As the only living contestant of Katniss', Peeta's and Gale's district, Haymitch tries to serve as a mentor to the former two, however his drinking problem (contributed by his desire to rid his own memories of the Games) often proves futile but comes through occasionally when Katniss and Peeta need his desperate guidance.