Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Banks are opening up about their The Hunger Games experience.
The co-stars reunited in a new conversation for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” issue and spoke about their global hit franchise, as well as their latest roles in projects like I Love LA and The Miniature Wife.
The two also addressed the fame they received from appearing in their hit franchise, romance on their TV shows, the creative process, and much more.
Check out the highlights inside…
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On their time on The Hunger Games:
Elizabeth: My first memories of The Hunger Games — I remember seeing you guys the first few days, but then I left and came back, because you guys went into the woods.
Josh: Yeah, they were painting me into rocks and s–t.
Elizabeth: I remember coming back, and you guys were this feral gang of young people.
Josh: I was 19. I didn’t do college, so college for me was shooting those movies and growing up with them. It’s so long ago.
Elizabeth: I felt like your auntie. I was everyone’s auntie. And then I really got to relax on the second one, because there were a lot more adults my age.
On Josh being catapulted into fame:
Josh: It was crazy. It was such a massive machine, and it was such a formative time of my life. We all went through so many changes together. We leaned on each other, hardcore. It was really intimidating. I’m from a small town in Kentucky. I started acting when I was a kid because I liked the idea of making movies. Fame was never on my radar — and then I was thrust into that world in such a big way. It was a lot.
Elizabeth: It was like watching a supernova take off.
Josh: For a long time, I was resentful toward it, because I didn’t want that kind of attention.
Elizabeth: There’s a huge intrusion into your life.
Josh: So I was chip-on-my-shoulder angry about it. With years of perspective, I have grown to appreciate it so much.
On Josh figuring out his “straight man” role on I Love L.A.:
Elizabeth: So you’re here to talk about this new role in I Love L.A. Rachel Sennott, who we both know — it came from her brain. You play the straight man of the bunch, a very grounded and grounding presence among an ensemble that’s kook-a-doo, right?
Josh: It’s a dynamic that I’ve experienced many times. I’m drawn to crazy. I always have been. But I myself tend to be more feet-on-the-ground vibes. In a show that’s giving such a specific snapshot of a world that many people have no contact with, having a character that’s a bit of an audience sounding board is important.
On Elizabeth playing a disempowered woman and being alone on set:
Josh: In The Miniature Wife, the relationship dynamic that you guys have I find very interesting. I’ve always seen you playing very powerful characters. To be shrunken by this man — I’m curious how that felt for you.
Elizabeth: I loved the dynamic. It felt like we were going to use this metaphor to talk about some bigger issues. I felt it was very relatable, this notion of being made to feel small. I thought it was going to be really comedic and fun. My husband likes to say this was the least mentally prepared I’ve ever been to do a job because I didn’t really understand how isolated I actually was going to be when I was six inches tall. I had my own stage. I had a whole green box.
Josh: That’s wild.
Elizabeth: I had the dollhouse set, and I was alone. I was literally never with Matthew. It was so vulnerable.
Elizabeth on the experience and benefits of directing:
“That’s a great start. I do think it makes you a more patient actor, because you sort of understand everything. I really enjoy days when I don’t have to answer a lot of questions and I just get to take care of the character I’m there to play that day. I don’t have to worry about the choreography and the camera angles. But I love being surprised by something. I love collaborating. I love problem-solving. I hope I get to do more of it. I think I will.”
Watch the full interview here.
Josh Hutcherson is also clarifying his quote about Taylor Swift.
In an December 2025 interview, his I Love LA co-star Jordan Firstman asked him, “Are you a Swiftie?” He replied, “I’m not a Swiftie. Very much not. No shade, all respect, but definitely not… a little bit of shade.” At the time, Swifties noted that Josh actually went to the Eras tour and sat in the VIP section. This caused some backlash.
Now, Josh is explaining.
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