While looking back at the most iconic roles of his career, Josh Hutcherson opened up about the most challenging part about being cast as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games series.

“It was like my college,” he told EW. “That was like such a coming-of-age time for me. It was the first time I was away from my family, and on my own.”

The actor added that he wasn’t prepared for the fame that came along with playing such a major role.

“It was worlds apart from anything I have ever experienced. It’s like a double-edged sword. Obviously the benefit of having more projects come your way is great. But when I set out to become an actor at eight, being famous and being recognized was not on my radar. I just wanted to make movies,” he explained. “That naiveté followed me until The Hunger Games slapped me in the face. It’s hard for anybody to digest, especially being a kid from Kentucky. It made me realize the kind of actor I wanted to be. The idea of doing big, big projects that make you even more well-known doesn’t sound as appetizing. If that opportunity came up again, I would have to think about it more.”

The 27-year-old also dished on his time starring alongside AnnaSophia Robb in the fan-favorite, tearjerking film Bridge To Terabithia.

“I have a lot of people, even to this day, tell me they cried so hard at that movie,” he dished, before adding how being a young actor changed his childhood. “I didn’t go to school, I didn’t have like a normal childhood. But what I gained from being on film sets was invaluable and extremely rare. I was very lucky to have to have all those experiences.”

It’s safe to say that Josh has had a pretty major career, but he’s not planning on stopping anytime soon! We can’t wait to see what the actor stars in next.

Love J-14? Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for fun, exclusive videos with your favorite stars.