In a statement published on Entertainment Weekly, Hunger Games author, Suzanne Collins talks about the lead star of the Hunger Games movie.
Dear Readers,
We have found Katniss.
As the author, I went into the casting process with a certain degree of trepidation. Believing your heroine can make the leap from the relative safety of the page to the flesh and bones reality of the screen is something of a creative act of faith. But after watching dozens of auditions by a group of very fine young actresses, I felt there was only one who truly captured the character I wrote in the book. And I’m thrilled to say that Jennifer Lawrence has accepted the role.
In her remarkable audition piece, I watched Jennifer embody every essential quality necessary to play Katniss. I saw a girl who has the potential rage to send an arrow into the Gamemakers and the protectiveness to make Rue her ally. Who has conquered both Peeta and Gale’s hearts even though she’s done her best to wall herself off emotionally from anything that would lead to romance. Most of all, I believed that this was a girl who could hold out that handful of berries and incite the beaten down districts of Panem to rebel. I think that was the essential question for me. Could she believably inspire a rebellion? Did she project the strength, defiance and intellect you would need to follow her into certain war? For me, she did.
Jennifer’s just an incredible actress. So powerful, vulnerable, beautiful, unforgiving and brave. I never thought we’d find somebody this amazing for the role. And I can’t wait for everyone to see her play it.
Thank you all for sharing in this journey and may the odds be ever in your favor!
Love,
Suzanne Collins
I feel a little more comfortable with Jennifer as the role now, solely because I trust in the authors thoughts. Katniss and all the other Hunger Games characters were her children, and if she can find someone that is so similar to that baby she gave birth to when this book came out, then I’m perfectly fine giving her a shot as well.
I agree. If Suzanne picked her, I approve.
This makes me so happy.
If Suzanne is happy, we all can be.
As you’ve all said: If Suzanne Collins picked her, I definitely approve.
hi, im auditioning for prim. i have blond hair, and blue eyes and im 12 years old. i went through the whole book and memorized all her lines, and the blocking it says. im an actress, and i live in vermont. all by myself i was searching for auditions for the movie, and finally found them. my name is pamela bristow-johnson (my middle name is kaye so i might say that too on my resume)….. please at least look at my resume. thanx! <3
You found auditions to the movie!?!?!?! Where, when, details!!!!!!
I think it’s safe to say she’s not reading the comments of every post on every Hunger Games fan site. Even/especially if it’s about her.
I feel much more confident with Jennifer as katniss now that suzanne approves. I truly believe jennifer will be an incredible katniss:)
this is amazing
i cannot believe that only a year ago i was reading this awesome book
and now it’s going to be in the movies being played by a great actress who is playing such a amazing person it’s going to be a awesome movie
hope to see it soon!!!
Wtf. Jennifer has the girl who’s never been through more than a manicure look. I could pull off Katniss better then she could! I don’t know her acting capabilities, but Lionsgate! Come on! Are you referring AT ALL to the decription of Katniss you decided on? Personally I hope this is all a big scam. If it isn’t, you’ve lost one fan for the movie. I’ll watch Battle Royale instead, the manga and movie that Suzanne copied from. I’m not even gonna defend her anymore.
yeah… i kinda agree. She doesnt really look the part, they can dye her hair and put in contacts, but her body.. shes gonna need to get on a diet or something because Katniss is gaunty.
You’re not a fan of a movie you haven’t even seen yet and you’re upset about the one cast member who you’ve never seen act. Nice.
AMEN TO LINDSEY
It’s more than that, I used to be obsessed, then I found Battle Royale. THG is almost a total copy of BR, and I found that very disappointing. And if they can’t cast the right person for the lead, too bad. It kind of just pushed me that one millimeter offthe edge.
Watch Winter’s Bone…Jennifer Lawrence’s acting in that film is superb. In Winter’s Bone, there was no make-up, no glam, no anything. She was just a teenager, from a family with little money, looking after her two siblings because her mother completely shut down after all that had happened with her father (strangely similar to Katniss), and under a horrible circumstance. She was even hunting squirrel for crying out loud! I saw this film before I even read the books and obviously before The Hunger Games was announced to be a film. I’ll admit that when Jennifer was first cast, I was nervous. However, thinking of her in Winter’s Bone and then reading Suzanne’s approval has pushed all doubt from my mind completely.
I have no idea what to think about this…
there are hundreds of other actresses that look like Katniss and can at least act.
I’m just glad Suzanne has so much confidence in Jennifer. I want to see her in constume!
I will be the first to admit that I was not happy about the casting decision at all when I first heard about it. But we really need to be optimistic about this. Who knows, they might cast an amazing Peeta or Gale. And if Suzanne Collins and Gary Ross think Jennifer’s good enough, who are we to say otherwise? We weren’t there when she was auditioning. She could have the perfect personality for the role. And they’ll dye her hair and give her contacts. And she’ll diet, I’m sure. Don’t judge before you see it. She could be amazing!
I hope Suzanne Collins is right about Jennifer Lawrence. I must say, I’m very worried.
I hope she’s right about Jen as well. I would’ve liked to see Hailee Steinfeld in the role, to be honest. I just really don’t want to see THG be another terrible movie based off an amazing book that ruins the book for me. (Twilight.)
she is perfect! i wonder if they are going to color her hair brown or black or if they will choose to leave it blond?
I agree with Sarah, actually. Battle Royale was an awesome movie and manga, and Suzanna seems to have copied it in a way. Honestly, if they are so incapable of picking a lookalike Katniss to play her, why are they making this movie? I’ll go see it but I hope Jennifer knows what she’s getting into. She will see the fans protesting, grt nervous, and I really hope it doesn’t fail like Twilight or Harry Potter 6. The Twilight movie made me hate the series.
But really, if you want to see the Hunger Games main storyline in a movie, look up Battle Royale. Yes, it will have to have English subtitles–but watch it if you love THG. Really.
Guys calm down haha there’s absolutely nothing u can do now about the cast.. they already casted everyone. Just wait for the movie and the trailer- and yes they will give her contacts dye her hair brown and stufd hollywood KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOINGGG so peace, people. =P