Comic-Con: ‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ star Jennifer Lawrence shines

Comic-Con: ‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ star Jennifer Lawrence shines

A cast of six actors took the stage to talk about “The Hunger Games” sequel “Catching Fire” at Hall H Saturday, including rock star Lenny Kravitz, but it was Jennifer Lawrence that the 6,500 fans were most excited to see. The newly anointed Oscar winner who plays heroine Katniss Everdeen was her usual mixture of honesty and self-deprecating humor as she and her cast mates debuted the “Catching Fire” trailer for the first time to raucous applause. The young adult adaptation followed a sneak peak of Stuart Beattie’s new film “I, Frankenstein,” which stars Aaron Eckhart as a modernized version of the monster originally created by author Mary Shelley. Eckhart took the stage with co-star Yvonne Strahovski (who plays an electro-physicist), Beattie and graphic novelist Kevin Grevioux. FULL COVERAGE: San Diego Comic-Con 2013 “This is the next chapter of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” said Beattie, best known as the screenwriter behind “Australia” and “G.I. Joe.” “Our story begins where hers ends — you see Adam (Eckhart) carrying his father’s body out to the cemetery. It’s very much Mary Shelley’s character done in a modern-day setting.” Eckhart, who had to learn the art of Filipino Kali stick fighting, found the update very relatable. “We’ve stayed true to Shelley. Frankenstein is looking for love, purpose in his life, how he fits in,” said Eckhart. He’s looking for community. It’s something we can all relate to.” PHOTOS: Katniss and Peeta in ‘Catching Fire’ posters With the first “Hunger Games” movie becoming the 13th highest grossing film ever, it’s clear that who the audience really relates to is Everdeen, the reluctant heroine of the story who becomes a leader of a repressed society. Now under the guidance of director Francis Lawrence (“Water for Elephants”), who took over the directing duties from “Hunger Games” director Gary Ross, the second film in the planned four-movie series will return Katniss to the arena after she’s tried adjusting to her new life back in District 12 — this time as a victor. “She’s struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder after the games while living in Victor’s Village, where she never wants for food, and feels useless. She’s adapting to a new life,” Lawrence said of her character’s evolution. Lawrence and co-star Josh Hutcherson, who plays Peeta Mellark, her fellow victor and complicated love interest, dominated the panel with a playful banter that the crowd loved. It’s a friendship that co-star Jeffrey Wright, who plays Beetee in the film, remarked on: “They have a language all their own. Half the time we didn’t know what they were talking about but that chemistry you seen on screen is reflected in their friendship.” The relationship was evident specifically when the two were describing a kissing scene between them that involved a lot of tears, and unfortunately, a lot of snot and slobber being exchanged during the process. “The kissing scenes are going to be really hot, if you’re into snot,” said Lawrence with a laugh. Lawrence also regaled the crowd with the challenges involved in reprising her role as Katniss. “Wearing the wedding dress was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life,” said Lawrence about the voluminous gown that was five feet wide in circumference. “I’m not good at walking, as you know,” she joked in reference to falling when she walked up to receive an award during the this year’s Oscar race. The actress also did a lot of basic running training because in her mind she runs “weird.” “Running and trying not to hit myself in the face with my bow, those were my two greatest challenges,” she said.



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