The 'Hunger Games' Cast: Then and Now

The 'Hunger Games' series features a top notch cast of veteran Hollywood actors and relative newcomers. Take a look at where these screen stars got their start before coming to Panem.

Great performances in movies such as 'Winter's Bone' (2010) and 'X-Men: First Class' (2011), as well as her Oscar-winning turn in 'Silver Linings Playbook' (2012) -- have earned the young actress mega movie stardom. It was her work on the small screen, however, that first had audiences taking notice. She began her career on TV, playing Lauren Pearson, the daughter on 'The Bill Engvall Show.'

Tucci may be in the spotlight as Caesar Flickerman, Master of Ceremonies for the Hunger Games, but this talented actor didn’t always find himself center stage. After making his Broadway debut in 1982, he starred in a few small films before landing his breakout role as Muerte, the bumbling mugger in 1993's 'Big Night.' 

Before getting caught in 'The Hunger Games' love triangle between Katniss and Peeta, Chris Hemsworth's younger brother spent most of his time on the small screen. For two years, he had a starring role on the hit Australian soap opera, 'Neighbours.'

Elizabeth Banks has worn a lot of hats (and a lot of wigs) throughout her career. A veteran of over 30 feature films, her first major movie role came as Betty Brant, Mr. Jameson’s snappy secretary, in Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man' (2002). She would reprise the role throughout the original Spidey trilogy.  

Acting since the age of nine, Josh and his career kicked into high gear with the 'Hunger Games' trilogy, but the film that introduced him to audiences was the Will Farrell soccer comedy, 'Kicking & Screaming' (2005).

It may have been his role as Woody the bartender on the TV hit 'Cheers' that made sure everyone knew his name, but Harrelson's first major credit was in the 1986 Goldie Hawn football comedy, 'Wildcats,' playing the wise-cracking quarterback. 

With a career spanning nearly 50 years, it’s hard to think that Sutherland once considered becoming an engineer instead of an actor. That changed, however, when he was cast as Vernon Pinkley in the classic war film, 'The Dirty Dozen' (1967). The movie was an instant success and Sutherland hasn’t stopped working since.

The late Philip Seymour Hoffman is widely recognized as one of the great modern American actors. He gained notice for his performance as a storm chaser in 1995's 'Twister,' but audiences -- and Hollywood -- really took notice with his breakthrough role as Scotty J., in Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Boogie Nights' (1997).