Maya Hawke gushes over Jennifer Lawrence after landing 'Hunger Games' role

Maya Hawke has revealed landing a role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping feels like a dream come true.

The 28-year-old actress admitted that Jennifer Lawrence’s unforgettable performance in the original films was the reason she wanted to become an actress.

The Stranger Things star will play a younger version of Wiress in the upcoming prequel, and she confessed the opportunity feels like her acting journey has come full circle.

Looking back, Hawke praised Lawrence for bringing Katniss Everdeen to life in a way that stood out from every other blockbuster hero. 

She said the Oscar winner proved it was possible to deliver a truly unique and emotional performance, even in a huge action franchise packed with special effects.

Now stepping into the world that first inspired her, Maya admitted she still feels more like a fan than a cast member. 

Although her role is relatively small, she said she loves the character and cannot wait to see the finished film on the big screen.

The Do Revenge actress, who is the daughter of Hollywood stars Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, also described working with director Francis Lawrence as a huge honour.

Despite joining an all-star cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons and Joseph Zada, Maya confessed she worried about fitting into the film’s established tone.

Laughing about her fears, she admitted she hoped audiences would not be left thinking she was the one actor who "didn’t get it", joking that she would hate to be the odd one out in such a celebrated franchise.

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