Who Should Play Katniss in the Hunger Games Movie?

In March 2009, when Lionsgate announced their purchase of worldwide distribution rights to the film version of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games (with Collins herself to pen the screenplay), speculation almost immediately began as to who would play the lead female heroine, Katniss Everdeen, in the on-screen version.

In the book series, Katniss Everdeen is described as having black hair, olive skin, and gray eyes. She's sixteen years old as the story begins, and has already weathered the hardships of hunger, poverty, oppression, and the death of her father. Throughout the books, she continually shows resourcefulness, athleticism, anger, and compassion. She's also described as having a beautiful singing voice.

Fans and entertainment sites are having a ball picking their favorite casting choices for The Hunger Games movie. Several YouTube videos have popped up with "dream" casting.

For the lead role of Katniss Everdeen, both seasoned and up-and-coming actresses have been suggested, but these five actresses seem to be mentioned the most.

Chloe Moretz

At 13 years old, Moretz may be a little young to play the teenage Katniss Everdeen, but her recent appearance in the movie Kick-Ass and her upcoming role of Isabelle in Martin Scorsese's adaptation of The Invention of Hugo Cabaret has put Moretz in the media eye and on most of the fan lists to play Katniss.

Saoirse Ronan

Ronan's excellent and emotional performance in 2009's The Lovely Bones puts her in mind to play the emotionally charged Katniss. Plus, at sixteen years old, Ronan is the right age. Nominated for an Oscar in 2008 for her role in Atonement, she certainly has the acting credentials.

Dakota Fanning

Child star Fanning's more grown-up role as Cherie Currie in The Runaways gives her credit to play the Katniss, a teenager put into the grown-up role of facing death. Fanning is also the right age, and as an added bonus, as sadistic vampire Jane in the Twlight movies, she's already well-known to teen movie-goers.

Malese Jow

Success of the television series The Vampire Diaries has made 19 year old Malese Jow popular enough with teenagers to make her a favorite to play Katniss. Jow played strong, independent vampire Anna in the series and will appear in the upcoming and much-discussed movie about Facebook, The Social Network.

Jodelle Ferland

Borrowing again from the Twilight franchise, some fans would like to see 16 year old Ferland, who had a small role-short-lived vampire Bree- in the third installment of the much-loved vampire saga, step up to the lead role of Katniss.

Resources:

"Lionsgate Feasts on The Hunger Games" ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=53788