The Hunger Games adaptation hungrily eyes Jennifer Lawrence, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin and more

March 3rd 2011, 6:42pm

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

The pursuit of the coveted role of Katniss Everdeen in the upcoming adaptation of THE HUNGER GAMES is one of Hollywood’s hottest competitions, and two of last Sunday’s Oscar nominees are among the candidates.

Jennifer Lawrence (WINTER’S BONE) and Hailee Steinfeld (TRUE GRIT), along with Abigail Breslin (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE), are reportedly among the frontrunners for the part, with Lawrence seemingly in the lead.

UPDATE: EW tosses a few more names in the mix for our potential Katniss: KICK-ASS kid Chloë Moretz, as well as Lyndsy Fonseca, Emma Roberts, Saoirse Ronan, “Skins” U.K. star Kaya Scodelario, Emily Browning, and Shailene Woodley.

Gary Ross (BIG, PLEASANTVILLE, SEABISBUIT) is adapting Suzanne Collins’ bestselling young adult book series, poised to become the next TWILIGHT SAGA-sized success. As with most big movies, THE HUNGER GAMES has a release date before it has a cast — the Lionsgate movie is already slotted for release on March 23, 2012.

The story (which sounds like chunks of BATTLE ROYALE, THE RUNNING MAN and THE BLOOD OF HEROES) is set in a near future where “the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch.”