TheThe Hunger Gamesfranchise has just found a new star to play Katniss Everdeen. Based on the novel series by author Suzanne Collins, the first entry in the hit YA dystopian franchise was released in 2012, introducing Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss.
Lawrence reprised the role for three popular sequels, ultimately bidding farewell to the character in 2015 with the release ofThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. Since this climactic installment, the franchise has continued with prequelThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesin 2023, andThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingwill releasein theaters next year.
Now, the franchise’s most memorable hero is poised to return inThe Hunger Games: On Stagein London, withactor Mia Carragher having landed the role. The casting was announced through the play’s official Instagram account, which is included below:
“Meet our Girl on Fire: KATNISS EVERDEEN,” the caption reads, accompanying a headshot of Carragher. A follow-up post shows Carragher in action in the role, wielding the character’s iconic bow during rehearsal:
“I’m really excited to play Katniss," Carragher says in the video. “I relate to her quite a lot. I think she’s very fearless, but then she’s also got that nurturing quality about her. Everyone needs to come and watch ‘The Hunger Games: On Stage’ because it’s going to be nothing like you’ve ever seen.”
Director Matthew Dunster shared a statement about Carragher’s casting (viaVariety), expressing his faith in the star’s ability to capture Katniss' essence:
“We searched far and wide, and comprehensively, for our Katniss. It is not easy to step into Suzanne Collins’ amazing creation and only one actor combined Katniss’ charisma and combat skills — her quiet, tough determination and her brilliant creativity, athleticism and humor. We’ve found our Katniss in Mia Carragher, and we can’t wait for audiences to see her.”
What This Means For The Hunger Games Franchise
Katniss Remains An Iconic Character
Though the audience reception toRachel Zegler as Lucy Gray BairdinThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakeswas generally quite positive,Katniss remains the most importantHunger Gamescharacter, having been the protagonist across four movies.
Mockingjay – Part 2gives Katniss a fairly definitive end, andthe character is not currently confirmed to appear inSunrise on the Reaping, which is another prequel story. That audiences will get to see Katniss in action once more is a major selling point forThe Hunger Games: On Stage.
The production could go on to become a major hitwhen it premieres in London on October 20 at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre. UnlikeHarry Potter and the Cursed ChildandStranger Things: First Shadow, which are new stories in their respective franchises, the newHunger Gamesplay is seemingly an adaptation of the first book.
Ten years later,Lawrence still remains widely associated with the character of Katniss, meaning Carragher has big shoes to fill. The change in medium could help to create distance between the two interpretations, however, as bothThe Cursed ChildandFirst Shadowfound major success with returning characters played by new actors.
Our Take On The Hunger Games: On Stage’s New Katniss
The Role Looks To Be In Good Hands
When it comes to protagonists in YA fiction, Katniss is one of the most celebrated and widely known.Lawrence excelled as this character, making her both relatable and empathetic, as well as a proficient fighter.
The Cursed Childessentially remains the gold standard when it comes to stage adaptations of beloved YA franchises, and theHunger Gamesstage play could face high expectations from audiences.
It’s too early to say how Carragher’s take on the character will compare to Lawrence’s, but the video certainly suggests she will look right at home wielding a bow.Capturing the character’s physicality is a major thing to get right, meaning Carragher is already on strong footing.
The Cursed Childessentially remains the gold standard when it comes to stage adaptations of beloved YA franchises, and theHunger Gamesstage play could face high expectations from audiences. It remains to be seen how the play will fare, but viewers evidently now know to expect a new take on Katniss.
