IT’S OFFICIAL: JENNIFER LAWRENCE IS KATNISS EVERDEEN

LIONSGATE AND “THE HUNGER GAMES” FILMMAKERS CONFIRM HIGHLY ANTICIPATED CASTING DECISION

Photo © Pamela Littky

LOS ANGELES, CA, March 17, 2011- Lionsgate and the filmmakers of “The Hunger Games” are pleased to announce that Academy Award®nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence will assume the coveted role of Katniss Everdeen in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games.”

The film will be directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force.  Collins’ best-selling novel, which has over 3 million copies in print in the United States alone, is the first in a trilogy of science fiction/action novels which have developed a global following.  Lionsgate will release “The Hunger Games” on March 23, 2012.

Newcomer Lawrence’s meteoric ascent began in earnest with her breakout role in last year’s “Winter’s Bone,” and culminated in an Academy Award nomination. This summer, Lawrence will star in Matthew Vaughn’s “X Men: First Class” and in “The Beaver” directed by Jodie Foster. Later this year, she co-stars in the Sundance Grand Jury winner “Like Crazy”.

Author Suzanne Collins weighed in on the selection of Lawrence, “Jennifer’s just an incredible actress.  So powerful, vulnerable, beautiful, unforgiving and brave.  I never thought we’d find somebody this perfect for the role.  And I can’t wait for everyone to see her play it.”

“I’m so excited work with Jen and see her bring this character to life.  Katniss requires a young actress with strength, depth, complexity, tenderness, and power. There are very few people alive who can bring that to a role.  Jen brings it in spades. She’s going to be an amazing Katniss.” said director Gary Ross.

“The Hunger Games” chronicles a dystopic Capitol which requires its twelve subjugated districts to pay tribute in the form of a teenage boy and girl, forced to participate in the annual “Hunger Games,” a fight-to-the-death live televised event.  Katniss Everdeen’s little sister is chosen in the lottery to participate and Katniss volunteers to take her place.  Although persevering through hardship is commonplace for Katniss, she must start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love in order to win the games and return home.  The Hunger Games novel has been on the New York Times best seller list for over 100 consecutive weeks. Foreign rights for the book, published by Scholastic have been sold in 41 countries.

 

Source: Lionsgate

 

Finally!  So, what do you think of our Katniss?

“I’ve met the producers,” Parrish told us last night at Alternative Apparel’s Fall 2011 showcase in West Hollywood. “I’d be grateful to get the opportunity. Like, really grateful. It would be amazing.” (FYI: Beastly star Alex Pettyfer told Access Hollywood last month that he’s also spoken with Hunger producers)

While Parrish says he hasn’t seen a script for the film based on Suzanne Collins‘ bestselling novel trilogy, he has gotten lots of support from fans of the franchise on Twitter wanting him to nab the part.

“You don’t get much better than that,” he said. “The true fans of the book. So regardless of whether I’m a part of the film or not, I feel honored to just sort of be thought of. I read the books all last year, and I guess they’re starting filming soon.”

As for who he wants for the role of Hunger Games heroine Katniss? Someone close to his age.

“If it’s Jennifer [Lawrence], man, sign me up!” the 23-year-old actor said of the Winter’s Bone starlet, 20. “I think if it ended up being Hailee Steinfeld or Saoirse [Ronan] or who’s the other one? Abigail Breslin. Then it would be weird. It would be really weird.”

Source:Eonline.com

Oh please, please, please Lionsgate!  With a cherry on top?

Exclusive: Jennifer Lawrence is close to getting an offer to star as Katniss in Lionsgate’s “Hunger Games,” Lionsgate’s bet on the next “Twilight”-sized young-adult franchise…

Age was a significant factor in the decision, as insiders have told Variety that Ross and Lionsgate execs were weighing whether to play the role younger or older. That would not only help determine the tone, but also play a part in casting other roles, specifically the role of Peeta, Katniss’ love interest.

Steinfeld and Breslin are both 14 and Lawrence is 20. Though there are plenty of up-and-coming teenage actors, Lionsgate can more easily find a recognizable face in his 20s for the male lead.

The deal may have come together sooner, but Lawrence has not officially signed on to any other projects since her best actress nomination. Thesp has been weighing over offers, including Oliver Stone’s “Savages,” and may had scheduling issues to work out.

Source:variety

Source: MTV