Josh Hutcherson hits back at Quentin Tarantino’s criticism of ‘The Hunger Games’
The Hunger Games actor Josh Hutcherson has responded to Quentin Tarantino’s claims that the dystopian series ripped off an earlier Japanese movie.
Chatting on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast with the American Psycho author, Tarantino recently named his top 20 movies of the 21st century. However, it wasn’t just praise that came out of the discussion.
Tarantino named Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale as his 12th favourite modern film, but not without hitting out at The Hunger Games, which follows an eerily similar plot.
He said, “I do not understand how the Japanese writer didn’t sue Suzanne Collins for every fucking thing she owns.”
He added, “They just ripped off the fucking book! Stupid book critics are not going to go watch a Japanese movie called Battle Royale, so the stupid book critics never called her out on it.”
Tarantino didn’t stop there, adding, “They talked about how it was the most original thing they’d ever fucking read. As soon as the film critics saw the film they said, ‘What the fuck! This is just Battle Royale except PG!”
Variety asked Hutcherson, who played Peeta in the first four movies, about the harsh comment while in attendance at the premiere of his new horror film, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.
The actor responded, “There are similar themes, for sure. But, you know, everyone borrows from everyone.”
A new The Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise of the Reaping, is set to be released in November 2026. Hutcherson also shared his excitement for the project, stating, “I’m so excited to see the series continue and the amazing cast they’ve gotten for it.”
According to the source material, Hutcherson’s character, Peeta, is set to appear in the prequel, though he has yet to confirm whether he will be involved in the new movie.
Watch the original trailer for Battle Royale below.
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