Who's in the "Hunger Games" Movie?
Updated: More actresses in the running -- check the comments.
There's no shortage of love for Suzanne Collins's young adult blockbuster Hunger Games here. So for obvious reasons, we're excited about the recently announced Hunger Games movie, even though it's not set to hit theathers until 2012.
Variety reports that three actresses are currently competing for the role of Katniss, the spunky, bow-and-arrow-slinging heroine of the dystopian sci-fi series. I'm usually wary of Hollywood rumors, but it's hard not to get excited when you learn that all three actresses are Academy Award nominees: Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone), Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), and Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine).
Personally, I think that Steinfeld would make the best Katniss--her portrayal of Maddy in True Grit proved both acting chops and a fitting boyish demeanor.
I asked around the office and got a few different opinions. I got support for Hallie Steinfeld from Jess, while Ali said she was rooting for Abigail Breslin, for no reason other than she adores Abigail Breslin. Miriam suggested Kristen Stewart, especially for the second book, Catching Fire, gets a lot mopier and angstier (and I think we can all agree that Stewart is the queen of angst).
Any Hunger Games fans out there want to weigh in with their pick for the role of Katniss?
Photo of Hallie Steinfeld courtesy of BSC Kids
Anonymous on March 05, 2011 at 01:01 PM
In my humble opinion, this is a no-brainer. I've got two words for ya... 'Ellen. Page.'
P.S. Thanks for the article. I (as well as the majority of America these days *grinning*) really enjoyed Collins' trilogy so I too had wondered who was going to be cast on the big-screen.
steelyhead on March 06, 2011 at 08:17 AM
Saoirse Ronan anyone?
Kevin Nguyen on March 07, 2011 at 09:07 AM
Just saw this: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/03/hunger-games-jennifer-lawrence-hailee-steinfeld-casting/
Looks like a handful of other young actresses are up for the part, including Chloë Moretz, Lyndsy Fonseca, Emma Roberts, Kaya Scodelario (Skins U.K.), Emily Browning, Shailene Woodley, and (probably after hearing steelyhead's request) Saoirse Ronan.
Just about every single young actress in Hollywood, with the exception of Ellen Page (sorry Anonymous).
David Horiuchi on March 07, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Anyone but Stewart, please. Steinfeld and Breslin seem a little young.
Anonymous on March 08, 2011 at 08:30 PM
@Kevin Nguyen - Thanks for the additional information. My money is still on Ellen Page though. After I saw her in "Hard Candy," I've been a fan. Speaking of, do you have any favorites?
@David Horiuchi - I totally agree. Not only that, but they just don't seem edgy enough in my opinion.
Sam Bloom on March 09, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Having lived under a rock the last year or so, I must ask: are any of the actresses mentioned in this post/comments... er, how shall I put this delicately... not white? I know Ellen Page and Abigail Breslin, but the others are new names for me. Oh, and I know Kristin Stewart. Ew.
Heidi on March 09, 2011 at 06:08 PM
While I love Ellen Page, I don't think she's a good call as she's too old, particularly if they intend to make the trilogy. I think with Inception she's definitely moved into adult rolls and moved beyond playing teenagers.
Saoirse Ronan has The Hobbit coming up, so I don't see her doing Hunger Games in the same time period.
I agree that many of the actresses listed seem a bit young, but better a bit young/age appropriate than too old. I like Chloë Moretz personally, but I'd also be happy with Steinfeld, or even an unknown.
Anonymous on March 10, 2011 at 01:50 PM
@Heidi - While I agree that she's older, she still looks young enough for the role. (Of course, I'm older so everyone looks younger to me, I reckon. *grinning*)
@All - The reason why I'm so pro-Ellen Page is because she seems to embody Katniss' character. Did anyone see "Hard Candy" (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hard_candy/)?
Joy Kenney on March 12, 2011 at 11:59 PM
I have liked Jodelle Ferland for Katniss for some time now. She loves the books, and even dressed up as Katniss last Halloween. If you image search "jodelle ferland katniss" you can see the picks of her in costume, looks a lot like what I pictured while reading the books.
Anonymous on March 17, 2011 at 03:10 PM
@Joy - I'm picking up what you're laying down. *pause* What I'm trying to say here is... I see what you're saying with regards to Jodelle. Don't get me wrong... I'm sticking with Ellen as my first choice.
Signed,
Your Friend in "The Hunger Games Trilogy" (aka Anonymous)
Elizabeth on October 02, 2011 at 07:55 AM
No No and no i mean come on! It has to be an actress who is brand new to this career someone who doesn't leave images in your head it has to be someone fit for the part and they have to be young but not old and I'm exited to see who gets the part of prim btw the girl in the image above does not look right for Katniss way too young i mean i get it cause your a fan but really anyways I'm going to leave that movie theatre crying and there better be a spark in between katniss and gale and katniss and Peeta also if they end up making this movie they have to make the others too or it would be a crime. Anyways they cannot screw this up or i will be upset! these books are my favorite. And who ever ends up getting this role should end up getting the role for fever 1793 if they even make it into a movie