Oscar-nominee Jennifer Lawrence is the frontrunner for the lead in Gary Ross' HUNGER GAMES, reports Variety. She would play a tomboy who enlists in a televised game to the death in order to help her community. Billy Ray adapted the script from Suzanne Collins' bestseller.

Nina Jacobson is producing the Lionsgate production via her Color Force.

Hailee Steinfeld and Abigail Breslin were also up for the lead role, but the filmmakers decided to go with the older Lawrence.