The imminent whitewashing of The Hunger Games heroine

[maynardsong]

Fans of The Hunger Games - the dark and addictive YA trilogy that is the hottest kid-lit read this side of Twilight - have been avidly following casting rumors for the forthcoming film adaptation. But while director Gary Ross initially told Entertainment Weekly that the actress playing resentful revolutionary heroine Katniss Everdeen needn't be a "

Comments

[killinit]

I am so upset by this. I was also hoping for unknowns that would fit the book descriptions of the characters but apparently that's not going to happen. I am becoming less and less excited about this film. :(

[slurp]

I'm just now reading the books. I'm in the middle of the third book now, and

-SPOILER-

got to the part where Gale kisses Katniss and after awhile he realizes she's thinking of something else and says "it doesn't count". it's like kissing someone who's drunk. Loved that! How often do we get scenes like that in our YA media? I mean, I turn on TV and all I see is core couples that are beginning from drunken hook-ups and whatnot, guys that treat girls like shit but all if forgiven with a romantic gesture. So I love, love, love that both Peeta and Gale are shown as great guys who honestly care for her, and she's not torn between the "good guy and bad guy" or some nonsense.

I'm also loving how Katniss is tough, but other girls are shown to be just as important in other roles. We've got women leaders, we've got Prim and her mom as healers, and there doesn't seem to be a message that you have to be tough to be worthwhile.

I hope the movies don't mess all that up.

[mycenaes]

The fact that they've completely whitewashed the character is so irritating/frustrating/generally rage-inducing. I mean, I know Katniss doesn't have to be of color, but when I read The Hunger Games, I immediately perceived her as mixed. I know not everyone thinks that, but if they're going to cast a white person, could they at least find someone with olive skin? It's not that difficult.

And of course, people on Tumblr are all like "don't hate on Jennifer Lawrence!!!" and it's like...you missed the point, people. I don't hate her for any irrational reasons (I've heard she's a good actress, so), but I'm frustrated at Lionsgate for the casting call description. It's racist and unnecessary.

I guess I really shouldn't be surprised by this--after all, Hollywood does this all the time. It's still disappointing, though. I don't know if I'll see the movie now, and I was looking forward to it.

[radname]

They're going to make it more about the ~love triangle~ instead of the actual story so for that, I'm already not looking forward to it.

[slurp]

How do you know? Is the script out?

[anolinde]

I was kind of hoping that girl from Skins would get it... Definitely can't see Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss at ALL.

Then again, I've only read the first book, so. =/ Currently waiting for the next two to come out in paperback, which is taking FOREVER.

[otomerica]

You have a lot of strength. A girl from work loaned the first two to me and before I'd even started the second one, I went out and preordered the third. :|