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Though Jennifer Lawrence had quite a few roles prior to being cast in The Hunger Games, the film (and its three sequels) changed her life. Not only did the actor earn millions from leading the franchise, but she became a household name. Suddenly scores of people knew who she was and she was fielding tons of acting offers. Furthermore, other actors were championing her work in the movies.

The Hunger Games cast: Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence, and Josh Hutcherson
Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence, and Josh Hutcherson | Mark Davis/Getty Images

Though Lawrence and Katniss lead drastically different lives, Lawrence felt a connection to the character right away. But even though she was absolutely taken with Katniss, she considered turning the film down. Because The Hunger Games already had a massive audience (thanks to the eponymous books) Lawrence was initially intimidated by how big the films could potentially get.

Jennifer Lawrence was initially scared to join ‘The Hunger Games’ cast

Fortunately, after Lawrence had a heart-to-heart with her mother, she decided to put her fears aside and join The Hunger Games cast. In an interview with USA Today, the Red Sparrow actor recalled shirking her fears in order to portray the District 12 tribute. “The truth was, in the bottom of my heart, I wanted to do it.,” she shared. “I wanted to play this character. I was scared of the aftermath, but you can’t say no to things because you’re scared. You just have to go for it.”

Of course, Lawrence was right to be a bit uneasy about heading such a massive franchise. The films did exceptionally well at the box office and prohibited her from leading a normal life for some time. In fact, the day The Hunger Games premiered in theaters, the actor was accosted at Whole Foods by swarms of fans. But even though the actor had to relinquish her privacy for a while, she has never regretted being in the films. And she has been candid about how much she loved making all four films.

The ‘Red Sparrow’ star is hypercritical of her performance in movies

But even though Lawrence loves The Hunger Games movies, she has a hard time being objective about her role in them. Unlike some actors, Lawrence is able to watch herself on screen. However, that doesn’t stop the Silver Linings Playbook star from criticizing her work. In fact, she is so self-critical, that she wasn’t able to recognize how good The Hunger Games films were until after she’d finished watching them.

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“I really do like love the movies after I watch them,” Lawrence shared in an interview with BBC Radio 1. “Because the whole time I’m watching them, all I’m thinking about is what a troll and how untalented and awful I am.” In the interview, she also joked that she insisted on little to no makeup while filming but then regretted it when she was watching the film.

Lawrence calls herself the worst part of ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise

Continuing on, Lawrence revealed that starring in The Hunger Games films clouds her judgment of the entire franchise. “If I wasn’t in them I would love these movies,” she joked. “I’m the worst part of the whole franchise.” Clearly, Lawrence is her own worst critic. We doubt there are many people who would agree that she is the worst part of the films.

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