Actor Austin Butler is opening up about his experiences navigating the audition circuit. In a recent video for BuzzFeed Celeb, the 32-year-old revealed he auditioned for the role of Peeta Mellark in the 2012 film “The Hunger Games,” but ultimately wasn’t chosen.
“I don’t even think I got a callback,” Butler admitted, while still offering praise to Josh Hutcherson, who landed the part alongside Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth.
This isn’t the only time Butler faced rejection. He’s previously spoken about the extensive audition process for Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” a role that ultimately earned him an Oscar nomination in 2023.
“It was a workshop, not an audition,” Butler explained in a February 2023 interview, highlighting Luhrmann’s unique approach to casting. “I focused on the work and avoided getting too attached to the idea of it being mine.”
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The dedication paid off. Butler, known for his role in “The Carrie Diaries,” impressed Luhrmann with a surprise performance of “Unchained Melody” sung in a bathrobe. Months of preparation with dialect, movement, and singing coaches culminated in this pivotal moment.
“I feel incredibly fortunate,” Butler said about landing the role of Elvis.
Despite facing setbacks, Butler views auditions as a learning experience. “You hear ‘no’ a lot,” he shared. “But early on, someone gave me great advice: ‘It’s a numbers game. Be prepared for 100 auditions before booking one.'”
