Jennifer Lawrence, Hailee Steinfeld and Abigail Breslin vie for the lead in the Gary Ross-helmed adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ ‘Hunger Games.’
Two of this year’s up-and-coming Oscar nominees, Jennifer Lawrence and Hailee Steinfeld are being considered for the hottest female role available at the moment: the lead in ‘Hunger Games,’ the first film in a series of three. Now, Variety have added 14-year-old ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ star Abigail Breslin (herself an Oscar nominee for that film) to the mix.
‘Winter Bone’ star Lawrence is said to be the front-runner for the part of Katniss Everdeen, the poor sixteen-year-old girl from District 12 who volunteers to compete in the nationally televised gladiatorial fight-to-the-death that the plot revolves around. Ross has to cast the lead first, in order to make the other roles fit, age-wise, but he’s doesn’t have an infinite amount of time—the film’s set for release next March, and both Steinfeld and Lawrence are likely to be in demand; with the actresses on the lookout for their next big projects to capitalize on their Oscar exposure.
Speaking with MTV In a pre-Oscars red carpet interview, Steinfeld confirmed that she’s met with Ross to discuss the role, going on to say that her team was weighing options — a hint that she’s considering other projects.