Last week, we reported that Oscar-nominee Jennifer Lawrence had been offered the coveted-role of Katniss Everdeen in Gary Ross' adaptation of The Hunger Games.  We explained that even though the character is 16-years-old in the book, Lionsgate wanted to cast older because they believed it was easier to find a bankable lead actor in his early 20s to play opposite Lawrence.Now The Wrap is reporting, to the surprise of no one, that Lawrence has taken the role.  I haven't read the books yet but I think Lawrence is a good actress and I'm glad to see her get such a high-profile role. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the book.  The Hunger Games is set to be released on March 23, 2012.Here's the synopsis for The Hunger Games:

In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss’ young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district’s female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

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