Following the success of the “Harry Potter” franchise, many studios attempted to create a similar phenomenon by adapting widely popular young adult book series. “The Hunger Games” franchise was one of the few that was successful. “The Hunger Games” distinguished itself with its dark tone, graphic violence, and weighty themes. The franchise explores the dehumanizing effects of fascism, the obsession with celebrity culture, and the pressure put on young people to fix their parents’ problems. The success of “The Hunger Games” franchise can be traced to the casting of Jennifer Lawrence.
Lawrence’s emotional performance as Katniss Everdeen gives the audience a character that they can relate to. Katniss is raised in a poor, isolated community. In “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” she is whisked away from her home to engage in another round of the games. To get into character, Lawrence had to eat raw fish. She confirmed that it “tastes exactly how it smells.” Although the crew tried to convince her that it was regular sushi, Lawrence could tell that something was different about her meal after just one bite.
Experiencing some of the same challenges that Katniss goes through made Lawrence’s performance more authentic. Katniss grows to detest the government and fight for an equal disbursement of resources. It was important for Katniss to feel like an outsider who was tasked with an impossible goal.
