Leading Lady

Jennifer Lawrence Confirmed As Star in The Hunger Games

Lionsgate confirms star of coveted film adaptation.

It's been a big year for Jennifer Lawrence. The 20-year-old actress made a name for herself with Winter's Bone, which earned her an Academy Award nomination, and now she’s landed the highly coveted female lead in The Hunger Games, the big-screen adaptation of the bestselling young adult trilogy. Lionsgate Entertainment exclusively revealed to MTV News that Lawrence signed on to play Katniss Everdeen. “I’m so excited work with Jen and see her bring this character to life,” director Gary Ross told MTV. "Katniss requires a young actress with strength, depth, complexity, tenderness, and power. There are very few people alive who can bring that to a role. Jen brings it in spades. She’s going to be an amazing Katniss.” The Wrap was the first to report that Lawrence signed on for the role on Wednesday. Lawrence was allegedly competing with approximately 10 other young actresses for the role, including fellow Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld of True Grit, Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin, Kick-Ass star Chloe Moretz, and The Lovely Bones’s Saoirse Ronan, and Emma Roberts.