Last week, Entertainment Weekly released the first images of Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth in The Hunger Games.  Lionsgate has now sent over hi-res versions of those images.  Looking at them again, I can't help but wonder why Lionsgate chose these as their first images, especially the one of Hutcherson as Peeta.  Yes, the images will appeal to fans of the book, but reading the reactions to the images last week, there seemed to be a collective shrug and it's not tough to see why.  If you don't know these characters, then you just see Hutcherson holding a loaf of bread and Hemsworth chatting with Jennifer Lawrence.  I understand that Lionsgate doesn't want to give anything away too early, but fans of the book are going to see this movie no matter what.  It's everyone else that needs to be convinced.Hit the jump to check out the hi-res images.  The Hunger Games opens March 23, 2012.Here's the official synopsis for The Hunger Games:

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games.  Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy.  If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.