Peeta Mellark
Peeta Mellark is a fictional character of The Hunger Games trilogy written by American author Suzanne Collins.[1] He is portrayed by actor Josh Hutcherson in The Hunger Games film series.
Peeta Mellark
The Boy with the Bread (by Katniss)
Lover Boy (by the Career Pack)
The Baker's Boy (by Caesar Flickerman)
Star-crossed lover (by the Capitol)
Male
Victor of the 74th Hunger Games (with Katniss Everdeen)
Tribute from District 12
(with Katniss Everdeen)
Artist
Baker
Mrs. Mellark
(mother, unknown)
Mr. Mellark
(father, unknown)
Two unnamed brothers
(both unknown)
Unnamed son
Unnamed daughter
Peeta is the male tribute representing District 12 in the 74th annual Hunger Games, alongside female tribute Katniss Everdeen (portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence). Together, they defy the rule that the Games must have one victor, unintentionally inciting a rebellion against the authoritarian government of Panem.
Characterization[edit]
Peeta is the same age as Katniss,[2] making him 16 years old in The Hunger Games and 17-18 in Catching Fire and Mockingjay.
Peeta is of "medium height, stocky build" and has "ashy blond hair that falls in waves over his forehead."[3] He has blue eyes.[4] He is "broad-shouldered and strong."[5] Part of Peeta's left leg was amputated following the 74th Hunger Games, forcing him to walk with the aid of a prosthetic leg for the rest of his life.[6] In the 2012 film adaptation, his leg is never amputated.
Peeta is repeatedly described as charming, generous, kind and likable, and possessing a self-deprecating sense of humor.[7] He first confuses and later inspires Katniss with his determination to maintain his identity while inside the arena and his refusal to become a "piece" in the Capitol's game.[8]
An accomplished painter and baker on account of working in his family's bakery his whole life (Suzanne Collins named the character Peeta because "Pita" is a kind of bread), Peeta also excels at hand-to-hand combat,[9] camouflage,[10] handling knives,[11] and starting fires.[12] Peeta also has a remarkable talent for speaking to crowds. People tend to "embrace everything he says."[13] Not only is he initially responsible for making the Capitol fall in love with Katniss,[14] Katniss herself says Peeta would be invaluable to the revolution because of his ability "to turn his pain into words that will transform people."[15]
Critical reception[edit]
Entertainment Weekly said Peeta, as well as Gale Hawthorne, were "thinly imagined".[16] MTV listed five reasons why Peeta is "badass", and that "Peeta gives [Katniss] a run for her money in the coolness category".[17]
Film[edit]
On March 23, 2011, Lionsgate began casting the role of Peeta for the film of The Hunger Games.[18] According to The Hollywood Reporter, contenders for the role included Josh Hutcherson, Alexander Ludwig (later cast as Cato), Hunter Parrish, Lucas Till, and Evan Peters.[19] On April 4, 2011, Lionsgate announced that Hutcherson would play the role.[20]