Actress Jennifer Lawrence’s work in The Hunger Games franchise is still one of her most memorable performances on camera. However, starring in the film was not as easy as it seems. In an industry where many stars try to reach unrealistic beauty standards, Lawrence remains genuine.

The actress once revealed that she was asked by the creators of The Hunger Games franchise to lose some weight in order to look like Katniss Everdeen described in writer Suzanne Collins’ novel. The creators of the movie made sure that everything is on point and as a part of it, they asked Lawrence to lose weight, however, she refused.

Jennifer Lawrence refused to lose weight for The Hunger Games franchise

Jennifer Lawrence

The character of Katniss Everdeen is described as a thin woman in The Hunger Games novel by Suzanne Collins. So, the creators naturally wanted a similar portrayal in the film and asked actress Jennifer Lawrence to lose some weight. The actress once talked about the experience in an interview with Variety,
“In Hunger Games, it was an awesome responsibility. Those books were huge, and I knew that the audience was children. Along with me being young and growing and not able to be on a diet, I don’t know if I want all of the girls who are going to dress up as Katniss to feel like they can’t because they’re not a certain weight. And I can’t let that seep into my brain either.”

The main reason why Jennifer Lawrence refused was because she thought the character of Katniss was an inspiration for many girls.

Why were The Hunger Games movies important for the actress?

Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games movie series

There was one more reason why Jennifer Lawrence was so fond of starring in The Hunger Games franchise. She explained,

“I remember when I was doing Hunger Games, nobody had ever put a woman in the lead of an action movie because it wouldn’t work because we were told girls and boys can both identify with a male lead, but boys cannot identify with a female lead.”
Lawrence made sure that she portrays Katniss Everdeen as a strong and inspiring character that young girls can look up to and not feel alienated “because they’re not a certain weight.”

Jennifer Lawrence struggled a lot

Jennifer Lawrence

Lawrence once explained that she went through a “humiliating” experience when she was looking for her big break as a fresh actress. She said,
“When I was much younger and starting out, I was told by producers of a film to lose 15 pounds in two weeks. During this time a female producer had me do a nude line-up with about five women who were much, much, thinner than me. We are stood side-by-side with only tape on covering our privates.”

The actress explained that she was required to lose weight in order to star in that certain project. The women who didn’t meet the requirements were instantly fired.

Source: Variety