Jennifer Lawrence Cast as Katniss in 'Hunger Games'
 Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images |
2011 Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence has nabbed the leading role of Katniss Everdeen in the film adaptation of The Hunger Games, the first book in the best-selling trilogy.
Lawrence was recently nominated for an Oscar for her role in 2010's 'Winter's Bone,' and Hunger Games writer Suzanne Collins said of the casting, "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.”
The books take place in a futuristic world where 12 impoverished districts are ruled by a cruel, dictatorial capitol which requires each district to sacrifice two children to participate in a yearly battle to the death called the Hunger Games. The child participants in the games are chosen by lottery, and when Katniss' beloved little sister Prim is chosen to go to battle, she takes her place and must rely upon all of her wits, survival skills and strength to come home alive.
'The Hunger Games,' to be directed by Gary Ross, will debut in theaters on March 23, 2012.
