A look at Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games

Younger book readers will be counting next year’s adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ THE HUNGER GAMES among the most anticipated movies, and they have been especially anxious to see how heroine Katniss Everdeen would look in the flesh.

Now EW has the first image of star Jennifer Lawrence in the role, and if you read the book(s), it shouldn’t be too far from expectation as the important elements are present — bow, braid, mockingjay pin. (You can compare to the artist depiction of Katniss from the books’ UK covers below.) Lawrence does appear to have trimmed down a bit for the part (she’s supposed to be hungry, after all).

The slaughter begins on March 23, 2012, with director Gary Ross (BIG, PLEASANTVILLE, SEABISBUIT) adapting the book about a futuristic society where young representatives of twelve Districts participate in a brutal contest for the entertainment of the rich and powerful. Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci also star.