Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lawrence lands lead in ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy.
According to The Wrap, 20-year-old ‘Winter’s Bone’ actress Jennifer Lawrence has landed the coveted lead role of Katniss Everdeen in ‘The Hunger Games.’
The actress was said to be the front-runner for the role back at the beginning of the month, ahead of Hailee Steinfeld (‘True Grit’), Choloe Moretz (‘Kick Ass,’ ‘Let Me In’) and ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ star Abigail Breslin.
According to sources, Lawrence received the offer on Tuesday, and was officially cast Wednesday. Details of the deal are unknown, but the actress presumably has signed a three year deal to stick with the franchise.
Adapted from Suzanne Collins’ bestselling young adult novel. The first in a planned trilogy, the story involves a young love triangle playing out against a dystopian future where North America has been divided into twelve oppressed districts, each of which is forced to send tribute in the form of a boy and a girl to compete in a televised gladiatorial fight-to-the-death battle.
Names being mentioned for the male lead of Peeta Mellark, include Josh Hutcherson (‘The Kids are All Right’), Hunter Parrish (‘Weeds’) and Alex Pettyfer (‘I Am Number Four’).
Directing duties will be handled by Garry Ross (‘Seabiscuit,’ ‘Pleasantville’), based on a screenplay by Billy Ray (‘Shattered Glass,’ ‘State of Play’)
Lawrence will be seen next in ‘X-Men: First Class,’ in which she plays Raven Darkholme aka Mystique.