New issue of Entertainment Weekly features the boys of The Hunger Games movie, Liam Hemsworth as Gale and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta. Yeah OK, I totally feel Gale. But Gale was never the major problem. It was Peeta who was stressing us out.

So how do you feel now?

Apparently director Gary Ross lobbied really hard to cast Josh Hutcherson in the role. Hutcherson knows that there’s been a lot of fan criticism about his selection. He knows too that people think he’s way too wee for Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss:

“Jennifer’s not two feet taller than me!” he says with his easy laugh. “If anything, maybe she’s a half inch taller.”

There.

That did it. Right there.

He is indeed Peeta.

You know why?

Because Katniss was always, like, feeling sorry for Peeta. And he’s just made me feel sorry for him, all little and sh-t, hopping around after her, weakly and needing protection. And still remaining good-natured about it. Imagine – he’s reading on all these message boards and blogs that he’s a short, stocky, unattractive choice to play a character that’s been idealised in the minds of millions, to be told by millions that he’s woefully inadequate...

Don’t you just want to give him a hug now?

Or pity f-ck him?

Yes!

That’s Peeta!

Click here for more on the Entertainment Weekly exclusive on The Hunger Games.