After much anticipation, the Gamemakers behind The Hunger Games film adaptation, due out next year, have chosen a Katniss Everdeen. I’m sure we all have a Katniss in our minds, and no actress could satisfy every readers’ expectations or wishes. The official choice is apparently Jennifer Lawrence, who was just nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Winter’s Bone. Despite that evidence that she has the chops to carry such a demanding and complex role, there are a number of issues that many readers will doubtless see as problematic in the casting.
Forever Young?
Lawrence is certainly youthful (as is pretty much everyone in Hollywood, it seems), but, even at 20, she looks far older than Katniss’s 16 years. Since Katniss has had to take on the role of an adult to support her family, perhaps that will explain the fact that Lawrence actually looks like a better choice for Katniss’s mother
Blonde Jokes
So if you clicked over to Lawrence’s page, you’ve already seen the most noticeable 
feature issue—she’s blond, really blond, as in Barbie doll. Of course, movie folks change hair color more than they change shoes (the film versions of Alice and Rosalie Cullen are actually reverse hair colors in real life, with the blond Rose being played by a real-life brunette, and a real-life honey-blonde playing raven-haired Alice), but, as we’ve noted in our conversations here, Katniss has an olive complexion that harkens back to the Italian influence in the coal mines of Appalachia. Her hair is dark, and it’s not just on her head. What reader can forget the brutal hair-removal moments from the novel, reminders of the Capitol’s fixation on superficial beauty? Lawrence looks like any body hair she’s ever possessed has been permanently removed. She also appears to be tall, and, typical of someone who will be playing Mystique in the upcoming X-Men: First Class, blessed with a figure that will look good in Spandex. Hardly what we expect of Katniss, whose figure requires padding, and not just because of her deprivations in the arena.
There’s Something About Katniss
Most troubling of all, Lawrence just doesn’t seem to have the Katniss style. Granted, a good actress can really surprise us and perhaps this actress will bring something truly wonderful to her portrayal of Katniss, as Suzanne Collins certainly seems to believe. Director Gary Ross also seems to be convinced that Lawrence is the ideal choice. Her performance in Winter’s Bone certainly speaks of her capability with a gritty character and shows real promise. A good actress can doff the gowns and gltiz and crawl into a role in remarkable ways. After all, Renee Zellweger looks lovely in her publicity shots, but made a wonderful, earthy, Ruby in Cold Mountain.
I’m willing to reserve judgement until I see Lawrence in the role, and, for me, part of that will revolve around the voice she brings to Katniss. I was totally unimpressed with the film version of Jasper Cullen until the guy finally got to talk a little in Eclipse. It’s amusing to me that Ross, and others, bring up Lawrence’s Kentucky background as some sort of proof of her suitability: she’s from Lousiville (location of my undergrad alma mater; Go Cards!), an urban environment with more in common with St. Louis than the coal mines of Harlan County. Louisville is very distant (in every respect) from Katniss’s world. Her Winter’s Bone work, far more than her former address, connects to her potential understanding of an independant, rural woman.
Somehow, even with her resume and the endorsements of Collins and Ross, Lawrence, a former cheerleader who will be playing sexy shapeshifter Mystique, doesn’t seem to me like a smooth fit for Katniss. Most troubling, when she’s out on the red carpet, Lawrence looks like dozens of other young starlets. Like the image that the Capitol wants, these young women are groomed to look like an ideal (and, in the process, like each other). I just can’t get past the fact that if the Capitol Gamemakers were making this movie, they’d never pick a tomboyish, dark, athletic girl who looks as though she’s never been in a pair of heels in her life; they’d choose a beautiful, blond, well-sculpted creature who will be winsome even dirty and injured and whose impressive resume and skills would protect them from accusations of playing the usual faces. In other words, they’d cast Jennifer Lawrence.
Your thoughts and comments?
H/T to Arabella on some of these great links!
She looks like my idea of Glimmer. I’m sorry they didn’t choose an unknown at the right age. The actors conveying these kids should actually highlight their youth on youth violence and destroyed innocence. As you say, and as I saw by Googling her image, she looks even older than 20.
Also, you’re welcome for the links, and great post! I’ll keep an eye on the HG news.
Elizabeth,
My SOC 210 students think Jennifer Lawrence should portray Glimmer. They feel that Katniss should leaner face and body and longer brown hair. Oh, if only we were casting the movie…
You know, I originally had a note in the post about how Lawrence seemed much better suited to play uber-glamour girl Glimmer, but I cut it! I’m looking forward to polling my students on their picks. I’m also intrigued that, according to some of these articles, the assumption among may folks is that Rue is African American. Did anyone else percieve the district 11 folks, particularly Rue, as Latino, rather than Black? I suppose my experience with migrant workers led me to picture a Latina Rue, but to picture some of the more urban tributes as African American (descended from folks in the inner city). I’m intrigued to see what other picks emerge! Thanks, April! I love hearing about your students’ experiences!
I have to say, this doesn’t excite me. I haven’t seen Winter’s Bone so I can’t comment on her acting chops, but the age factor is the most obvious misrepresentation. I mean, she’s so busty, for one thing! So it’s disappointing but I’ll hold off being too grumpy about it. The movie only somewhat interests me- I just can’t imagine all the violence on film.
Rue as non-Caucasian makes sense. Never occurred to me before but it really fits.
I saw Rue and Thresh as black (or partly black) pretty early, because their district seemed to be the deep South. I understand some see Katniss as being part black, too, but that wasn’t the sense I got. And starvation doesn’t exactly create a statuesque figure. I see Katniss as small and wiry.
Elizabeth, I think you’re right about her not having Katniss’ style. I agree–she looks nearer 25 than 20, and she doesn’t have that small, wiry, angry appearance.
Arabella and April, I’m with you and the students on thinking she’s about right for Glimmer.
I listened to THG on audiobook and must not have been paying attention when Rue and Thresh were introduced, because I totally missed that they were dark-skinned. But I’m glad they’re planning to cast appropriately. I’ll look forward to seeing who they pick…
I’m way too interested in the casting for a movie that chances are, I’ll not dare to see. At least, not until I hear from some of you about how bearable it was. 🙂
I understand all of the concern surrounding Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. She was not on my list of ideal actresses for the part at all, but that was only because of the way she looks on the red carpet, where she is purposefully going for a sexy glammed up look. I have never seen any of her movies, only youtube clips of Winters Bone.
But I do agree with what Gary Ross said in the EW article, that Katniss does not look like a typical 16 year old, that she should look mature for her age. She has been the head of her household for sometime now. I think that definitely ages a person. So the age of Jennifer doesn’t bother me at all. Make-up applied correctly can make someone look younger just like it can make the same person look older…
We weren’t in the readings and auditions of Lawrence or the other girls that auditioned for the role. But Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins were, so I think we should trust their judgement that they picked Miss Lawrence for her abilities to portray Katniss the way Suzanne Collins envisioned rather than picking her because she is the safe and typical way to go.
I have very limited, if non-existent, knowledge of today’s current filmstar-wanna-bes so I cannot comment on the actress chosen to portray Katniss. This doesn’t stop me from reminding all of the wonders of CG magic and how technology will play a huge part in bringing Panem et al to the big screen in all of its horrendous glory! Surely the masters of special effects can reproduce body hair for the infamous Prep Team experience, among other gruesome sights.
Rue and Thresh were always dark-skinned in my mind; should they be portrayed otherwise, I will be disappointed.
If Christopher Bale and Tom Hanks can emaciate themselves in the name of “character portrayal and authenticity”, I expect no less of anyone shouldering the roles in our HG cast. Lawrence has her work cut out for her…I hope she’s read the books.
I was hoping for Hailee Steinfeld or an unknown.
As usual, I think you hit the nail on the head, Elizabeth. Movie production companies *are* gamemakers. And while Lawrence can look pretty scrawny in real life — I haven’t seen Winters Bone, but she looks pretty haggard in what I have seen — as in Winters Bone, she cleans up nicely enough for the Capitol scenes. I will be waiting for a loud strum of a harp and Peeta’s mouth to pop open when he sees her after her beauty treatments.
I concede at the Oscars she looked more like Rosalie than Rosalie. A well-tailored dress and lots of concealer on the nose is supposed to do the trick.
She’s supposed to be a wonderful actor; I refuse to get my hopes up at this point (pretty disappointed with Eclipse myself). So at this point, I mostly just agree with pj: lets just hope that she just reads the books first. And understands them.
John, how about a condensed version of your THG posts as a primer for the cast and crew?
Thanks, James. Maybe we’ll put together a little gift package for the film folks, and like, PJ, hold out hope if only the cast members will read the books!
I’m eagerly awaiting the casting of Michael Gambon as Haymitch. At least his drunken outbursts of violence would be more appropriate to The Hunger Games. 😉
I haven’t see True Grit yet but based on the trailer and reviews I was hoping for Hailee Steinfield.
Oooo, RevGeorge….you have a point, except Gambon might be better suited to one of the Gamesmakers forced to the wall by Katniss’ arrow!!!!! …in my humble opinion 🙂
Didn’t someone suggest Jeremy Irons for Haymitch in another post?
The woman who plays Astrid in the TV series “Fringe” would make a wonderful Rue if the make-up masters are worth their salt in MaxFactor! I don’t know her name; I am fascinated by her delicate facial features and ability to convey expression. I see Rue in her.
solid solid solid solid solid solid solid choice.
1. As a resident of missouri, I’m pleased
2. As a fan of noir, I’m pleased
3. As a boyscout/survivalist, I’m pleased
4. As a non-violent satirist, I’m pleased
I could go on to represent all seven “solids” but you get the picture.
Please read this EW article — ‘Jennifer Lawrence talks ‘The Hunger Games’ — and her love of Peeta‘ in which the starlet answers questions about the books and her role in the films drawn from them. Be sure to read the comments that follow the brief Q&A.
Then try to say these three things with a straight face:
(1) “Yes, John, I think she has read the books!”
(2) “No, John, those fan comments don’t sound exactly like passages in the books describing ‘Hunger Games’ audience comments in the Capital!”
(3) “Yes, John, I think this was an inspired casting choice that captures the essence and substance of Katniss’ character — most notably, her youth, hardiness, and tomboy body-type!”
Elizabeth nailed this one. The Capital crew’s Gamesmakers bought the film rights to The Hunger Games and we’re already seeing the absurdity of this combination. I’m betting heavily on a hilarious inversion of the story message in the final product, a message that couldn’t have been harsher and clearer about the corruption and complicity with evil of modern media story-tellers.
They’ve cast Blond Barbie Big Bosom to play the part of a cross between Pippi Longstocking and Robin Hood…. What a hoot. Too bad they didn’t consult the casting crew from the Harry Potter films. Except for Gambon, a walk-on necessitated by the death of the first Dumbledore, that collective had a remarkable record of near perfect picks matching Thespian with part.
H/T to Arabella, once again.
Although I appreciate the talent of Jennifer Lawrence, I too John believe the casting director should have taken a cue from the Potter series … bring new talent to light in the younger roles and anchor the film with seasoned, well respected actors cast in the adult roles. As with the Potter series, it is the storyline that will bring people to the theaters … no need to have “headliners” take the lead role to satisfy their “opening weekend numbers” thirst!
Thanks Elizabeth for helping put my finger on why Lawrence’s casting makes me uncomfortable. Obviously the movie will be different from the book. It just makes me wonder what type of Katniss the movie is going for. Sexy super-hunter? (wasn’t the fact that “they” were trying to make Katniss into that image a large portion of the plot in Mockingjay?) If that’s what they’re going for they shouldn’t even bother dying her hair.
I’ve read they want to stay faithful to the books, but I’m afraid it will be more in basic plot than in meaning. Instead of critiques on media or beauty standards we’ll be left with the impression that Katniss’ prep team is doing her a favor. “Look how even prettier she is now. Good job!” Instead of Peeta looking busted up and at death’s door in the arena, it will be an opportunity to showcase whatever abdominally-enhanced young man gets the part.
Sigh. Can I still hope they cast Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear as Portia and Cinna? Or Ryan Secrest as Caesar? Anything to try to emphasize that we’re the Capitol, and that’s not a good thing.
FWIW, I had read that Lawrence’ performance in “Winter’s Bone” was something of a feature-length tryout for “Hunger Games.” So I watched the art film, and I’m afraid that I have to agree. Flame away if you will; here’s what I thought of the film.
Many of the actors, including Lawrence, offer realistic “non-actor” type performances, and the entire film has a fairly hyper-real feel (I kept thinking of the Italian classic, “The Bicycle Thief,” which used non-actors to get raw and gritty performances).
Yet that feel contrasts starkly with the story itself. In “Winter’s Bone,” the camera follows Lawrence’ character along what is a very seriously Greek mythic story pattern — set within a modern, unsavory, meth-lab, white-trash environment (it’s rated R, primarily due to drug use, some language, just-off-camera violence and, uh, bleak and gross story elements).
From the odyssey of one hero’s challenge to the next, to hospitality shown to visitors, to the formalized greetings, to a portentous vision, to a visit to the courts of evil and corrupt kings, to a voyage across Styx (with the Fates)… the film is so chock-full of Classic mythic elements that it would be quite an academic challenge to catalogue them all.
And despite the fact that Lawrence’ character doesn’t have the Rambo-like physicality of Katniss’ role, she gives a grounded and riveting firewood-chopping-squirrel-hunting performance of a committed young woman overcoming an entirely grim dystopia built upon a cruel and barely civilized misanthropy, with deception and false alliances throughout. Kind of like “The Hunger Games.”
Further, we know for sure that Lawrence can gut and clean squirrels without any hesitation whatsoever. Since we get to see that on camera. Ugh. It’s actually one of the more tender scenes in the film.
Further, in a hellish milieu filled with the most haggard, downtrodden, ugliest, and malice-filled faces you are likely to ever see committed to film… she fits right in.
No ball gowns here.
I can see why Lawrence was nominated for an Academy Award as she literally carries the film, appearing in every scene. Very little explanatory verbiage, or even dialogue. Lots of hand-held reaction shots of her dealing with grim and imminently dangerous situations, with her character trying to maintain a brave and stoic face, while dismay, repulsion, fear, horror, and a variety of other emotions play out (often subtly) across her face.
So, despite her teenybopper interviews, from her performance in “Winter’s Bone,” I can sure see why they the game-makers thought she could handle the roll of Katniss. Honestly, after seeing WB, her playing Katniss seems like kind of a no-brainer.
That said, if you live in a rural area, some of the milieu may seem only too common — yet overwrought — and Lawrence’ performance may strike you as inflated and/or more empty-headed than intelligently understated. If so, flame away!
James, thank you for this. I am delighted to be hopeful once again that The Hunger Games movies will be a hit rather than an exercise in irony. My apologies for reading the starlet at the surface of her appearance and answers to questions rather than her previous performance as an actress.
And, I must add, I look forward to reading your film reviews in the future. I’m not a movie-fan, as a rule, but your insights about Winter’s Bone have me excited about seeing this someday. Thank you again for this corrective contribution to the conversation based on careful reading of the neglected, relevant evidence.
John, hat off
Perhaps casting a more-mature than 16-looking Lawrence is an attempt to make viewers more comfortable with the violent and sexual aspects than they would if a younger-looking teen was cast.
And if Lawrence plays Katniss as an 18-20ish (assuming sequels) maybe we’ll get to see Hailee Steinfield as a 14-16 ish Prim.
Suzanne Collins on her choice: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/21/hunger-games-suzanne-collins-jennifer-lawrence/
That link was in the original post, right? Or is this something new?
It’s in the original post… I didn’t click on it when I first read the article, and it showed up on my Facebook page. Oh well. My mistake.
Not a problem. It’s certainly worth reviewing in light of James’ review of Ms. Lawrence’s previous film. It makes Ms. Collins’ rave much more credible, frankly.
Thanks, James, for the feedback on Winter’s Bone. The clips I had seen were promising, as I indicated, but I just couldn’t bring myself to watch the whole thing, which is the sort of poor-benighted-drug-addict-reprobate-etc. hillbilly story that I have difficulty viewing objectively (although at least this time, it’s the folks from the Ozarks, instead of Appalachia, who get the brunt of the stereotyping. My Appalachian Culture students will be thrilled to see the movie industry is sharing the love, snort). It’s on my list for a day when I just need to feel less happy, and when no one is home who will shriek over the squirrel scene!
Your feedback is very encouraging, especially in light of the EW interview which, quite frankly made me shudder. After looking into some of Lawrence’s work and Collins’s endorsement, I had become cautiously optimistic, but that interview nearly dashed my hopes with its sound bytes of cotton candy fluff. Honestly, playing this part is just a chance to play with bows and arrows?
Your thoughts on Winter’s Bone encourage me to hope that perhaps Lawrence is really far more than skin deep. Perhaps she is a victim of a media machine that picks and chooses what to print, and her vapid quotations may be truncated from longer, more thoughtful, statements or taken out of contest (In that case, there is true irony in her casting as Katniss, a la Mockingjay). I’m willing to wait to see how she (along with the rest of the cast, the costumes, the script, the sets, etc.) turns out. Of course we do not want to make judgments based on appearances alone (hence my posting the two contrasting images), like Capitol viewers ourselves, placing bets on our tributes of choice with only minimal information. Though I do like your casting suggestions, Kathy, that would emphasize the Capitol elements in our own world. I suppose they could CGI Dick Clark as Caesar Flickerman, and most of my students want Joan Rivers as Effie!
You can count on my review hours after the release next year, along with the thoughts of my students, who have been captivated by this story, but most of whom are not yet impressed with the film journey.
The casting suggestions are great, particularly Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear as Portia and Cinna. How about either Bob Barker or Jay Leno as Caesar Flickerman? Or Rupert Grint as Peta? But the obvious one IMHO is Hugh Laurie as Haymitch.
I agree. Hugh Laurie as Haymitch is the most obviously good casting choice since Danny Devito as the Penguin.
I wonder if they could get Anthony Hopkins as President Snow.
Oooooh, are we fantasy casting now? I think Brendan Gleeson would make a great choice for Haymitch but that may be too close to Moody. I would honestly love to see William Shatner as Snow – a serious Shatner, not parody Shatner – I think he could pull off a grotesque well. Kristin Chenoweth as Effie, no brainer. Cinna for me would be Colin Firth – although he is new to the games, I envisioned him as older and wiser and only new by calculated choice. As for the boys, I am a little out of the loop for the teen-beat set.
Jessica…might Colin Firth be too old to be Cinna? I’ve always thought Cinna to be built somewhat like a runner or swimmer; 30-ish perhaps with chiseled features and eyes to die for!
Love the Shatner call.
Treebeard and Louise….Hugh Laurie is a great choice for Haymitch. I have Jeremy Irons on the brain having just finished The Inheritance series and seeing Irons as Brom in my head during the read.
Speaking of the teen-beat set – my teen daughters want to see Taylor Lautner play – everyone in the movie! They had great fun trying to figure out what that would look like.
Thanks for the kind words, John & Elizabeth. I will, of course, offer what I can. And Elizabeth, I totally understand the hillbilly thing. Just be grateful that you don’t have polygamist hillbillies. Ugh.
FWIW, my ideal Haymitch: Harrison Ford. Always the life of the party. He handles the surly, maybe dangerous characters, who inside have a heart of gold.
Although I admit that Dean Stockwell was who I had in mind when reading the books. Of course, he’d make a good President Snow as well (and his age may make him better for that part)(did you know he was Prince Charming in the original Snow White?).
I think my eldest daughter thought that Jude Law would make a good Cinna, and I agree.
Every actor in the film mostly has to be able to play their characters with a certain degree of malice, so that you really aren’t sure where their allegiances lie (especially in the first book/film).
Beyond that, the characters’ personality types are fairly stock, fairly flat characters. That’s not an insult, they are just pretty common types — because they’re great characters and enjoyable to see. So, other than Katniss, who has quite a character arc, lots of actors could play the various roles (and many have, in many, many films).
And to be honest, I kind of think that the story elements are so strong that, you know, how could they miss?
The story is awesome: Quasi-reality show with poor vs. rich kids trying to kill each other, with cut-away shots of anxious people watching at home (as Greek Chorus and as examples of us/audience, a la The Truman Show), with semi-annoying announcers cutting in and narrating what could happen, with the kids unwittingly walking right into it… The suspense would be fantastic. How could they *possibly* screw /that/ up?
(I hope I don’t have to eat those words later.)
The trick for the casting is to add some appeal and entertainment to the somewhat flat characters, like what Harrison Ford does versus… I dunno, like Sam Neill, perhaps? Kind of just… boring?
Other than that, just add some flair to the roles, keep the pacing quickly advancing with a sense of impending doom, and… we’re good.
PJ – yeah, I admit Colin may be too old but I envisioned him middle aged. James, tell your daughter Jude Law was my concession choice for a younger Cinna. Either actor would nail it.
Jessica, I will tell her that.
And, FWIW, I forgot to mention earlier that in Winter’s Bone, Lawrence looked around 14-15 years old. Very young.
In fact, at one point she says that her character is 17. And I was immediately thinking, “No way. She’s not 17. Why did they hire someone so young to play a nearly-adult? She is not carrying off ’17’ very well.”
WB was filmed in early Spring of 2009.
And I don’t think she’ll be like Ron Howard, who could play teens into his 30s (like Michael Welch, Twilight’s Mike), but even with time passing, Lawrence may still look 16-17 if they film later this year. If that.
We’ll see…
Oh, just remembered, since it’s dream casting: For Effie Trinket, how about Meryl Streep?
How about Bill Nighy – the guy who play Rufus Scrimgeour in Harry Potter to play President Snow! Just picture him with redder lips, almost bloody and white hair. That is what my 8th grade students suggested on the discussion board when we read it earlier this year. They also suggested Stanislav Ianevski, who played Victor Krum in the Harry Potter movies for Cato. I am just hoping that they don’t totally mess up the movie like they did with The Lightning Thief. That would be awful!
I think Hugh Laurie perfect for Hymaitch but Jenifer Lawrence for katniss is NOT right it would rune the movie we need some unknown like me i have brown hair i can wear contacts if i need my eye color changed and I’ve been taking archery class for a few years now and i love it its would be great to be an actor but for petta i think it should be Alex Pettyfer he is HOT i can see Meryl Streep being Effie but i’m not sure.
As much as I’m sure a few archery lessons make someone able to shoulder an entire movie, you are ridiculous.
Jennifer Lawrence is a perfect call to play Katniss and anyone who hasn’t seen Winter’s Bone wouldn’t know that, anyone who has knows it. Period. She was incredible in a role that has a ton similarities to the role of Katniss.
She is good looking and the people in Hollywood know this, but her looks didn’t get her the Oscar nod and they were actually played down in Winter’s Bone. In terms of looks, the fact that she can go from glam to gritty so well makes her perfect for the role because Katniss was expected to do just that.
Her acting is superb, haters stay away.
Thompson, you know reasonable people should be allowed to disagree or express disagreement on casting choices. Doesn’t make them haters.
So what do you think about the choice now??? JENNIFER LAWRENCE DID AN AMAZING JOB!!!! =D
I think Jennifer did an amazing job, but I also still think she’s too old. Hutcherson was perfectly cast, someone who looked as young as he would have been a perfect Katniss.
Casting Finnick will be difficult as he has to look 8 years older than Katniss but not too old.