Oscar nominees Abigail Breslin, Jennifer Lawrence, and Hailee Steinfeld have all been major contenders to play Katniss Everdeen, the female lead in the upcoming film adaptation of The Hunger Games, and Emily Browning, who will lead Zack Snyder’s upcoming action flick Sucker Punch, entered this casting fray this past week. Now it seems we have a front-runner for the role.
According to Deadline Hollywood, Lionsgate has its eye set on Lawrence in particular. Negotiations should begin within the next week if she does agree to play the part. Then again, why wouldn’t she? It’s easily the most coveted role of young females in Hollywood, and it wouldn’t interfere her forthcoming turn in Oliver Stone’s Savages.
It’s not surprising, especially when considering that Alex Pettyfer has been sought to play the male lead. After all, he’s far closer to Lawrence in age than he is Breslin or Steinfeld, and Browning has yet to make a big name for herself. However, it feels like an odd choice considering that Katniss starts out at age fourteen in the novels. That makes a case for the other three actresses being cast, but age seems to be a non-factor in casting quite a bit these days.
Are you a fan of The Hunger Games? Is going "older" with Lawrence the right casting move