First Look: Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in “Hunger Games”

Entertainment Weekly has revealed the first image of Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games.” The 20-year-old star of “Winter’s Bone” and the upcoming “X-Men: First Class” just recently began filming her role as 16-year-old heroine Katniss Everdeen in Gary Ross’ adaptation of the bestselling teen dystopian novel by Suzanne Collins. 

Lawrence has most clearly dyed her blond hair brown for the role and gotten significantly thinner seeing as her character comes from a relatively poor family in “District 12.” She sports her bow and arrow, which she practiced using extensively during her interview with EW prior to arriving on set.

In the interview, Lawrence reveals some of her conversations with Ross, director of “Seabiscuit” and “Pleasantville,” prior to receiving the role. The talks came during the peak of Oscar season and Lawrence related her experience of being throw into dresses and not feeling like she belonged to Katniss’ experience of being thrust into fame having been selected to participate in the deadly Hunger Games.

You can read the whole interview and see other pictures that will likely be inside in the May 20 issue of Entertainment Weekly. “The Hunger Games” will be distributed by Lionsgate on March 23, 2012.