Lionsgate and the filmmakers of The Hunger Games recently announced that Academy Award nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence will play Katniss Everdeen in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, “The Hunger Games.”

The novel has sold over 3 million copies in print in the United States alone and has been on the New York Times best seller list for over 100 consecutive weeks. It is the first in a trilogy of science fiction/action novels that has developed a global following. The film will be directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force.

Photo Credit: Pamela Littky

“The Hunger Games” chronicles a dystopic Capitol which requires its twelve subjugated districts to pay tribute in the form of a teenage boy and girl, forced to participate in the annual “Hunger Games,” a fight-to-the-death live televised event. Katniss Everdeen’s little sister is chosen in the lottery to participate and Katniss volunteers to take her place. Although persevering through hardship is commonplace for Katniss, she must start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love in order to win the games and return home.

The Hunger Games will release in theaters March 23, 2012.