We can't be the only "Hunger Games" fans who thought that Hunter Parrish, a considered-but-rejected contender for the role of Peeta in the first film, might still be meant to join the franchise as golden boy Finnick Odair in "Catching Fire." I mean, the role calls for a tanned, green-eyed uberhottie capable of simultaneously wielding a trident and charming the ladies...they might as well just hand Hunter the script and some hearty congratulations, right? He's perfect!

But when we sat down with Hunter for a chat, he admitted that getting once burned as an early "Hunger Games" hopeful has made him twice shy when it comes to "Catching Fire."

"You know, this whole 'Hunger Games' thing, man... I'm not quite sure," he admitted. "Because I've been through this once before, it was very exciting for me, for the first movie, to be a part of that. And I read all the books at that time, and I loved the script and the director and Jennifer Lawrence..."

Aww, poor Hunter. Even now, he's clearly still kinda feeling the sting of having been passed over to play the boy with the bread--even though he's totally gracious about Josh Hutcherson getting the coveted role.

"Josh is also a friend of mine, and he's great, he's perfect," said Hunter. "But I dove in for that one, so for this one, I don't know. I think you just kind of step back, and if it happens, it happens." And clearly, the actor's confidence has taken a bit of a hit in this process, because he also added, "I wouldn't cast myself. I'm a fan of the books, I think there are fantastic actors that would probably be better.

"So there's that, for getting me a job," he joked.

Well, okay. We understand! It hurts to be rejected, man. But since we were on the subject, we went ahead and asked Hunter if he had any actor friends he'd recommend for the part... at which point all his "if it happens" detachment was replaced by teeth-gnashing competitiveness.

"No!" he said. "I'm not gonna go that far. I still want the job!"

And there you have it: Hunter Parrish definitely wants the part of Finnick Odair! Do you think he should get it? Sound off in the comments and on Twitter!