Woody Harrelson is Haymitch Abernathy
It’s official. Lionsgate has announced that Woody Harrelson has been cast as Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games movie.
Haymitch, as described in the book, is a drunk who was victorious in the 50th Hunger Games, more than two decades before Katniss’ deadly adventures begin.
Harrelson has recently starred in Zombieland and 2012, and can be seen in the upcoming Friends With Benefits and Rampart.
The press release says:
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 10, 2011- Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES are pleased to announce that actor Woody Harrelson (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, ZOMBIELAND) has been cast in the role of Haymitch Abernathy in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel.
Said director Gary Ross of the casting decision, “Haymitch is such an unforgettable character: funny cranky outrageous, sarcastic, impatient, biting but ultimately kind. I’m so grateful we have Woody Harrelson to play him. I can’t wait for us to get to work.”
About The Role
A Hunger Games victor himself, Haymitch has assumed the role of official mentor to all future tributes in his native District 12. Though he was strong and attractive in his youth, his years of hard living following his own experiences in the arena have rendered him jaded and unfocused to say the least. He begins to show signs of reinvigoration when he finally sees in Katniss and Peeta a pair of spirited tributes- true contenders whose fate might actually hinge on his advice and guidance.
The cast is almost complete. We’re just waiting to hear who will be playing Katniss’ designer Cinna, President Snow and the tributes from District 2 – Cato and Clove.
What do you think of Harrelson taking on the role of Haymitch?
Eh, I dunno.. My first reaction is, “oh……… um.. no.” He’s a good actor, but I don’t see him as Haymitch. But I’m sure he’ll still do a great job.
YES YES YES
i agree with you Renee. i just dont see it. but i guess, if Suzanne Collins and Gary Ross say so….
i think he can do it if he trys…..just excited that there casting more people in a single day..
Not what I imagined but he is going to be okay !
I can see this. It wasn’t what I pictured but it is really easy for me to support this casting. I still can’t get behind the Peeta casting, but I can support this one.
Robert Downey jr. Would still be epic… Suzzanne I’m putting my faith in you!!!!!
What about Madge
I agree with Cuzin, I wanted Robery Downey Jr. way more, but this guy isn’t paunchy like Haymitch, but I have a feeling Woody will pull it off, when I look at that picture I can see him as an attractive and strong younger version.
I. HATE. EVERYTHING.
how dare you ruin my 2nd favorite character?!?!
and everyone else as well?
get better casting people before u cast finnick and cinna!
I just saw the movie and after reading the book woody harrelson is not haymitch
At first I was like WHATT!!! shitt!! grr!!
Then I realized it was that crazy radio guy from 2012 who I LOVED and now I love the idea of him as Haymitch. I think he’s a great actor and will pull it off well. Haymitch is probably the main comic relief of the series and this guy has that bit in the bag, and on that token he can play serious when necessary too.
ummm ………well………… HELL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i can tell he is a good actor just not my haymitch, ugggghhhh. wow i am really loosing it.
(epic fowney faces.) 
OMG… NO WAY!!!
If Suzanne Collins wasn’t personally involved in this, there would be blood!
p.s. Now I’m only gonna see this film 5 times xD
This is sooo cool! He was great in Zombieland so I reckon he’ll be AWESOME in The Hunger Games!
…and now we wait for Cato and Glimmer.
Hey this is a great cast for a romantic comedy. Would of been nice to capture the true essence of the book and have unknowns play Gale, Katniss, and Peeta. Then Have big names play the other tributes so you as a movie goer would go hey i really like that guy just like the districts would look and cheer for their own tribute. But I will just wipe this piece of literature out of my mind and see if I can enjoy the show. Oh and by the way Bruce Campbell was my choice for Haymitch.
uh… portia and the prep teams?
@morgan I’m also looking forward to seeing who will be the Avox girl
don´t think they will be casting finnick for a while (years) since he´s not in this movie
Harrelson does not embody the Haymitch I pictured in my mind, but I am still very excited to see how he will portray the character. I have a lot of confidence in his acting abilites which is much more important than looks (which can easily be altered for the film).
He’s not my first choice but I’m still super excited. Woody harrelson has range. If any of you have skipped the movie “natural born killers” watch that and tell me he doesn’t know how to play a man with demons. So far the casting has been awesome. I can’t wait for more!
okay can’t really see him as Haymitch but I didn’t have much hope for the movie self of Haymitch. Just it’s hard to explain my mental image of Haymitch…..
We still need Cato, Clove, the Avox girl, Cinna, Madge, Portia, the prep teams, Gale’s siblings Rory Posy and um who else forget the name… and probably they could show glimpses of characters like Finnick, Annie, Johanna, Beetee, Wiress, ect that we don’t see until the final to books
I love Woody for the role, he was so funny in Zombieland! A lot of people will have their own different ideas of what each character in the Hunger Games should look like, but I think the director and whoever else is involved are doing a great job at picking good contenders for each role. They can’t please everyone, but the people they picked are pretty awesome
P.S. Cato and Clove were cast!
soo excited for the movie! The cast looks great!
http://www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie?sk=app_153235154741250
i love woody as an actor, but he is not haymitch, at least they didnt put hugh laurie.
dont count your chickens before they hatch huh? i kinda feel like id rather have JCR like they were saying before. but oh well, like some people have been saying if suzanne and the director picked him somethings there. im just not a huge fan of him is all. but maybe he’ll redeem himself for me as haymitch. and i guess for future HG movies (catching fire) casting a younger haymitch or essentially a younger woody harrelson is a better than JCR as far as the description in the book goes. i can kinda see him being more attractive when he was younger.
ok so when i 1st saw his picture i didnt kno who he was playin and im like ‘Ohhh snow!!’
i guess hes ok 4 haymitch 2 but the pic i saw made him look creepy
I can see him as Haymitch, but I was really hoping for Hugh Lorie to play Haymitch. Now that I think of it… Hugh Lorie might be a good President Snow! Now I’m really hoping he’ll be Pres Snow because he can be vicious and stealthy. So I think Harrelson will do a good job, I’ve heard good news about him. Cross your fingers and hope that Lorie (House) will play Snow – think about it. When you consider it, you can see it. Come on, you know you can.
Wait to hear who’s been cast to play Cato!!!
Omg Cato and Clove have already been cast!! check out eonline… i think they’re great for the part and are the best tributes cast so farr (other than Katniss and Peeta<33)
the girl from orphan is playing Clove and the guy Seth from race to witch mountain is playing Cato
He is a great actor…. but that isnt how I pictured him. But oh well. He will do fine! and maybe with makeup and such.
Now we have to wait for CINNA! And what music is going to be in it? I think Saviour or Second go by lights… or forever and for always by shania twin… Threw out the whole triolgy though!
I like him.
Is it just me or can anyone else picture Hugh Laurie (Dr. House in House) be awesome at playing Haymitch? Err… never mind just saw someone posted it.. Oh! Snow would be great too! Great thinking!
Assuming you meant my idea of House as President Snow, thank you. I can really see it. Or that guy from Tron – I think his character was Castor? – he could be really good.
no, house shouldnt even be in this movie, maybe he can make a cameo or something, but he isnt any of the characters, like i said before pres snow is James Cromwell.
No I disagree but that’s okay…
artemis, to who do you disagree.
I disagree with you, Pedro. House would be good in this movie, in my opinion. But you have to stop thinking of him as House, think of him as Hugh Lorie a good actor who can pull off even the most challenging roles.
I hate this guy!!! Just by looking at him I can tell he is going to suck!! They should’ve picked the guy from house! He is the best! He is exactly what I imagined Haymitch to look like!
^ Yeah, just by looking at a picture DEFINITELY determines whether or not an actor is “going to suck”! Acting skills has nothing to do with it! The nerve of the casting directors!
…..
Love everything about this.
If you do not like acting, I understand. But if you do not like his looks then please do not comment then on how is going to suck. So if you were casted, would you care if you were a blond rue, would you care. Would you not take the role if you didnt look like the character!? We are all hunger games fans! Please do not judge! We will a see the movie and cry, laugh, love and fear! Only 312 days! Count down!
WHO IS CINNA BEING PLAYED BY? TELL ME! GRRRR
Gosh yes, they can **** up with the cast. Congratulations for your work, Gary Ross. The film will have to be very good for me to think of you as good director.
If you can make this movie as good as your face, man, you will be like the superman for me.
But it will be very hard, just telling.
*** I’ve deleted the swear word. I agree with @Ly in that we don’t need it on this page…especially as this is an all ages website. I appreciate your point of view Lucas, just please leave swearing out of … Thanks MyHungerGames
I edited the post from Lucas. Thanks Ly
Ohh, sorry. I was kind of annoyed by Woody be Haymitch in the movie and I said words which should not. Is that in previous posts, some people spoke this words and nobody ever complained, sorry again (;.
And remember, I am not from the United States and often what appears here is purely Google translator. It will not happen again ok?
HUGH LAURIE FOR HAYMITCH!!! He’s cynical enough and you guys know it. i totally agree with Mike’s saying about picking unknowns for the main. At least we as people who read the book still get excited for the show cause we dont know what to expect from them. for actors/actresses that has made their mark we’d have a rough idea of how they’d turn out as the characters. but i like the cato/clove choice.
http://www.google.com.sg/imglanding?q=hunger+games+katniss&um=1&hl=en&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&rlz=1I7ADSA_en&tbm=isch&tbnid=X1di2idvFx0M_M:&imgrefurl=http://www.hungergamestrilogy.net/2010/03/who-should-play-katniss-in-the-hunger-games-movie/&imgurl=http://www.hungergamestrilogy.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/camilla-belle-katniss-everdeen1.jpg&w=404&h=594&ei=x77TTY2UBYTyvQPCx7S6DQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=148&tbnw=111&start=0&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&biw=1419&bih=724
camilla belle, katniss.
I think Hugh Laurie would be okay but personally I think John C Reilly should play Haymitch. And yes, president Snow could deff be James Cromwell.
Pedro and Vic are good people! James Cromwell should play President Snow. He fits the description, and is who i envisioned when reading the books. The only trait he lacks that would be tough to pull off without looking cheesy is Puffy lips (which ironically, was my favorite part of his character)
in my head i had uncle iro off the last airbender (THE CARTOON) for some seson but this guys good
hahahah i was totaly on the fence with this casting choice, but after watching zombieland for the first time yesterday all i could think more and more as the movie went on was “huh. . . . . huh! . . . . i like this haymitch. . . . i realy like him as haymitch.. . .yup hes perfct for haymitch” the interaction between him and abigail breslin in zombieland is an almost perfect depiction of haymitch and katniss’s interaction with each other. im happy with this one.
I think he’s good fit, he could definetly have that drunk and hard yet caring attitude
yeah, this guy is a talented actor, but i dont think he fits the part of haymitch. anyone else see Robert downey Jr for the role of Haymitch? hes got that funny, intelligent and quick witted personality that haymitch also possess. I think they need to make a change on there choice or there is going to be a lot of upset hunger game fans. TEAM GALE! <3
that suks!!!!!!! robert downey jr was the perfect haymitch….very disapointed hope lions gate doesnt ruin this book….sad sad sad