Liam Hemsworth 'frontrunner for Hunger Games'

Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson have emerged as the frontrunners to play the two male leads in Gary Ross's upcoming adaptation of the Suzanne Collins thriller The Hunger Games.

According to Deadline, Lionsgate is keen on Hemsworth for the role of Gale Hawthorne, while Hutcherson is their first choice to play Peeta Mellark.

Although the studio has yet to officially offer either actor a part in the film, it is said to be "inching closer" to making a deal.

Last month, it was announced that The Winter's Bone star Jennifer Lawrence had been cast as the film's heroine Katniss Everdeen.

Hemsworth and Hutcherson were among a number of actors believed to have auditioned for The Hunger Games recently, alongside I Am Number Four star Alex Pettyfer, Weeds regular Hunter Parrish and X-Men: First Class actor Lukas Till.

The Hunger Games is due to be released in US and UK cinemas on March 23, 2012.