Suzanne Collins Writes Letter To Her Readers About Jennifer Lawrence
Entertainment Weekly revealed a letter from Suzanne!
Dear Readers,
We have found Katniss.
As the author, I went into the casting process with a certain degree of trepidation. Believing your heroine can make the leap from the relative safety of the page to the flesh and bones reality of the screen is something of a creative act of faith. But after watching dozens of auditions by a group of very fine young actresses, I felt there was only one who truly captured the character I wrote in the book. And I’m thrilled to say that Jennifer Lawrence has accepted the role.
In her remarkable audition piece, I watched Jennifer embody every essential quality necessary to play Katniss. I saw a girl who has the potential rage to send an arrow into the Gamemakers and the protectiveness to make Rue her ally. Who has conquered both Peeta and Gale’s hearts even though she’s done her best to wall herself off emotionally from anything that would lead to romance. Most of all, I believed that this was a girl who could hold out that handful of berries and incite the beaten down districts of Panem to rebel. I think that was the essential question for me. Could she believably inspire a rebellion? Did she project the strength, defiance and intellect you would need to follow her into certain war? For me, she did.
Jennifer’s just an incredible actress. So powerful, vulnerable, beautiful, unforgiving and brave. I never thought we’d find somebody this amazing for the role. And I can’t wait for everyone to see her play it.
Thank you all for sharing in this journey and may the odds be ever in your favor!Love,
Suzanne Collins
THANK GOD …finally, suzanne speaks out…read this AND LISTEN TO HER>
Some people say that Jennifer is too old (at age 20) to be playing a 16-year-old. Would Hunter Parrish be too told to play a 16-year-old? He’s turning 24 in May! I personally would love to see Hunter as Peeta and I think he’ll work well with Jennifer, but he’d be almost 10 years older than than what the character is supposed to be, if they do cast him, that is.
Above: I agree. No Hunter. 20 is good. But 24?
Just hurry up and cast everyone already! Can we move on to cast haymitch, peeta etc.?
@Talia/Joseph: thing is, though, Hunter doesn’t seem 24. He has a youthful, boyish face and his voice is not deep. He plays a 1-7-year-old on Weeds and is stellar.
Hoping that Peeta And Haymitch get the next casting. Hunter and RDJ/Hugh Laurie FTW
^oops, I mean 17
Im growing on Jennifer – but everytime I glance at her quickly I always think I’ve just spotted DJ from Full House haha.
@Rin: I never said you couldn’t have a different opinion. I said that if Suzanne Collins thinks she’s perfect, then she’s perfect and even though other people might not think so, they should still put their trust in the author and have faith that the right decision was made.
@PDK i agree with that that actors have done that sort of thing in the past. i’ve said this before, but take the outsiders as an example. ralph macchio played a 16 year old boy and he was 22 when they filmed it!! although i don’t agree on hunter as peeta (i don’t know who i want to play peeta yet!! D: ), you’re right about how people who are 24 can play 17.
he’s busy, so he’s unavailable for the role. i wish he could, though!! he was the perfect haymitch!! D’X
about hugh laurie… he can’t play haymitch, unfortunately.
If she’s happy about it then I’m happy about It! Let the Magic of Makeup BEGIN!!! I bet she’s going to do GREAT!!! GO JENNIFER!!!!!!!!!!
I CAN’T EFFIN’ WAIT TO SEE THE MOVIE!
p.s. If they pull a ”show-the-movie-later-in-europe” I WILL SHOOT AN ARROW AT THEIR RIDICULOUS HEADS!
I have faith in Suzanne Collins, if she likes Jennifer then I like her…Goo Jennifer! lol
if she’d good enough for Suzanne Collins, she’s good enough for me
Yay!!! She wouldnt be my first choice but heyy if Suzanne Collins likes her. I LOVE her!!!! <3
STILLINLOVEWITHGALE- you put it perfectly!
i found an amazing rue, her name is China Anne McClain, she was in an episode of wiards in waverly place ( ya i watch that show sometimes:) shhhh) she looks just like rue! i think JLaw and her would make a good rue/katniis and add alexpettyfer/peeta in and it will all be good- just as long as josh hutchinson doesnt get the part its alllllll gooooood
so excited for the movie! It seemed like yesterday we were waiting for mockingjay…now it’s the MOVIE! Who knew this would ever come? I’m pumped! Let’s go Suzanne Collins!
Well, if Suzanne Collins likes her, I’ll deal with her….
@Peeta’s Girl: You’re right!! Shes absolutely perfect!
I hope she auditions for the role.
Mrs. Collins should write a letter to us for every main character that gets casted.
“Dear Readers,
We have found Haymitch.
Gone are the days of trying to imagine the slurring, snarky drawl of our favorite drunken mentor. Robert Downey Jr. will bring it to life on the big screen. …”
And then a letter about Lucas Till as Peeta and Effie as Kristen Chenoweth. <3
I guess Jennifer will work, still disappointed that Danielle Chucran didnt get Katniss. Oh well, maybe she’ll get a smaller part. Still hoping for Savannah to get Prim or Rue!!!!! (for those of u who r lost I am talking about the girls from the short film Katniss and Rue which btw u should totally watch!!!!!)
after you publish the story, the characters no longer are your children but develop an identity of their own. Ms Collins, you wrote very compelling, intricate characters that spoke to the readers in so many different “languages”. The characters belong to your readers. It is interesting that you believe you have found your Katniss, though I admire Ms Lawrence as an actor she does not in any way embody the youth and strength of the Katniss that spoke to me. I am sorry to disappoint but based on this casting it does not bode well for the casting of the other prime characters of Peeta, Gale and Haymitch. For me I do not feel I will be able to support the movies that I had so much looked forward to. I am deeply saddened.
Really?! katniss so doesnt look like that!!! i am super upset! Lets hope she is a good actor otherwise ill be really sad!!! I love the books but if the movie is bad… ugh i will never be able to think of it as my favorite book in the world ever again!
@some1: amen!
i’m incredibly happy, i just saw the movie and she was AMAZING!