Josh Hutcherson spoofs The Hunger Games on SNL after appearing shirtless and covered in mud in gritty Tyler Shields shoot

By Alanna Lynott

PUBLISHED: 02:24 EST, 24 November 2013 | UPDATED: 02:26 EST, 24 November 2013

It's what he's known best for.

So it's no surprise actor Josh Hutcherson took the opportunity to spoof The Hunger Games when he appeared on Saturday Night Live.

In the opening segment, Josh watched in mock-horror as the cast regulars embarked on a fight to the death in his honour.

Were the odds in his favour? Josh Hutcherson opened Saturday Night Live with a Hunger Games skit, alongside Kate McKinnon as Effie Trinket and Cecily Strong as Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss

Were the odds in his favour? Josh Hutcherson opened Saturday Night Live with a Hunger Games skit, alongside Kate McKinnon as Effie Trinket and Cecily Strong as Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss

Looking dapper in a dark suit and tie, the 21-year-old stood next to Kate McKinnon, who was dressed as Elizabeth Banks' character Effie Trinket, as she pulled names out of a bowl.

Cast member Cecily Strong volunteered and stepped on stage dressed as Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss, brandishing a bow.

An unfortunate Bobby Moynihan was then shot in the chest with an arrow before Josh - who plays Peeta in the popular films - gave Cecily a high five.

'You're going to have to carry me to the next sketch!' After Bobby Moynihan gets an arrow in the chest, Josh exits the stage on Cecily's back

'You're going to have to carry me to the next sketch!' After Bobby Moynihan gets an arrow in the chest, Josh exits the stage on Cecily's back

The things you have to do for your art! Josh gets covered in spaghetti during a sketch in which he plays an assistant to a businessman with the body of a baby

The things you have to do for your art! Josh gets covered in spaghetti during a sketch in which he plays an assistant to a businessman with the body of a baby

Comedy chameleon: In another skit, Hutcherson morphed into Lil Peanut, a New York subway dancer

Comedy chameleon: In another skit, Hutcherson morphed into Lil Peanut, a New York subway dancer

Hollywood star Josh recoiled, exclaiming: 'I'm easily injured!' 

Jumping on the back of his co-star, he cried: 'You're going to have to carry me to the next sketch!'

But she may as well not have bothered, as many of the following segments - including ones featuring as Josh as a high school heartthrob and a veterinary receptionist - fell a little flat.

In one skit that did stand out, Josh played an Eighties musician complete with mullet and gaudy outfit, who broke into song every time he attempted to speak.

Street style: Lil Peanut's crew replaced him after he got lost on the subway

Street style: Lil Peanut's crew replaced him after he got lost on the subway

Mullet man! In one amusing skit, the actor donned 80s gear to play a boy who can only answer his love interest in song

Mullet man! In one amusing skit, the actor donned 80s gear to play a boy who can only answer his love interest in song

Giving thanks! Hutcherson even made out with a Thanksgiving turkey for the show

Giving thanks! Hutcherson even made out with a Thanksgiving turkey for the show

But Josh was largely let down by the material and not by his delivery.

Luckily for the Kentucky native, he recently made a more successful turn in front of the camera - this time for a shoot with celebrity photographer Tyler Shields.

In one of the images, the heartthrob appears shirtless and covered in mud - his face partially hidden by shadow.

Getting dirty! The Hunger Games star posed shirtless in the mud for a shoot with photographer Tyler Shields

Getting dirty! The Hunger Games star posed shirtless in the mud for a shoot with photographer Tyler Shields

Moody: Josh shot a smouldering look at the camera as he knelt in the mud, his white T-shirt ruined

Moody: Josh shot a smouldering look at the camera as he knelt in the mud, his white T-shirt ruined

A second shot shows the Red Dawn actor on his knees in the muddy grass, the front of his white T-shirt and jeans caked in dirt.

While yet another has the actor clutching his head with mud-covered hands, while staring out of the frame with intense amber eyes.

The busy actor currently has his shooting schedule booked-up until 2015 and beyond, as he is set to appear in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and 2, as well as Journey 3: From the Earth to the Moon.

At least the mud matches your eyes! The brown-eyed boy smouldered in his close up

At least the mud matches your eyes! The brown-eyed boy smouldered in his close up

Manly: Mud-flecked, Hutcherson looked rugged in the atmospheric images

Manly: Mud-flecked, Hutcherson looked rugged in the atmospheric images








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He was great hosting SNL! Should do a comedy once in a while.

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SNL has not been good for a very long time. The only funny segment is usually Weekend Update. They need really good hosts to pull off the crap material. Melissa McCarthy was the last person who I thought did a good job.

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Americans have a really bad sense of humour

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No, this isn't funny to us, either.

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This show is terrible..... at the best of it I almost smirked. The turkey sketch was painful and the "best buy" scene was plain embarrassing

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Cant' wait to watch that, looks so funny!

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I didn't know who he was, my husband put it on and it was funny! This kid has some comedy skills! We haven't watched the show in decades.

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People still watch this?

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His nose and jaw are amazing. Lil peanut and mullet man were not so hot though.

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Those were hilarious. Does he have to be attractive to you in everything?

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This guy seems more suited to comedy, and I mean that as a compliment.

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he plays a bad boy well too, check him out in the Vampire's Assistant. I've seen him in other things from when he was a youngster, the young man has some acting chops on him. Be interesting to see what he does after this trilogy is wound up

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I sat through the Hunger Games; Catching Fire yesterday. After 15 minutes of infomercials and a half hour of what seemed like 10 movie trailers I was ready for a nap! The movie is SO BORING for the first 60-80 minutes. The last 15 redeemed it for me, but from here on out I will be watching the last 2 films from the couch on DVD. And please, all parents who think that their 2 yo's can sit through all of that, rethink bringing them. The wailing at the 40 minute mark is NOT APPRECIATED!

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Josh Whotcherson? Seriously? SNL must be having difficulties finding anyone willing to host these days...

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