A few days ago, actress Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) was confirmed for the lead role in Gary Ross’ adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling book series The Hunger Games. Fans were watching closely to ensure that the right actress was chosen to play Katniss, and now Collins herself has released a statement regarding the casting of Lawrence:

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.

Collins goes on to talk about what, specifically, she saw in Lawrence that mirrored Katniss herself. Ross and Co. will now set their sights on filling out the rest of the cast, including the male lead which has a number of young male actors vying for the role (Hunter Parrish and Alex Pettyfer have met with producers). Hit the jump to read the rest of Collins’ statement.

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Here’s the statement from Collins (via EW):

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