The Breakout That Almost Wasn't? Jennifer Lawrence And 'The Hunger Games'

Once upon a time, Warner Bros. staked its shiny new tentpole "Harry Potter" franchise upon the then-narrow shoulders of Daniel Radcliffe. Now, Lionsgate has Jennifer Lawrence and "The Hunger Games."

If it proves a hit, then Lionsgate had better county many a lucky star March 23 when it hits theaters everywhere in standard and limited-time IMAX formats. Playing heroic Katniss Everdeen nearly wasn't a gig Lawrence wanted at all, she recently told Glamour. This wasn't a career move the 21-year-old actress entered into lightly.

"I gave myself three days. I knew from reading the books that I loved 'The Hunger Games,' I just didn't know if it was worth changing my life for," she said. "I'm at a peaceful place right now . . . Nobody's staked outside my house. I wanted to make sure that when I said yes, I wouldn't regret it. And I don't regret it.

"I would have said no because I was scared, and then I would have been that bitter actress telling my grandkids, 'I'm the one that turned it down,'" she tacked on.

In a way, it's an equal-but-opposite sentiment to how she also recently said she feels about ultimately losing out on playing "Twilight" heroine Bella Swan to Kristen Stewart.

"I think that everything happens for a reason," Lawrence said to Celebritext. "I've never really been disappointed about not getting anything. I mean, I was just with every actor in New York or L.A. auditioning for whatever's out there. But I felt that whatever is meant to be, will happen. I actually had no idea what they were."

Readying herself for the physical demands of the survivalist role meant making both sacrifices and compromises, Lawrence said: specifically, that she'll take the beating in the gym - if reluctantly - but refuses to be overly strict about what goes into her body.

"I hate saying, 'I like exercising.' I want to punch people who say that in the face," Lawrence said. "But it's nice being in shape for a movie, because they basically do it all for you. It's like, 'Here's your trainer. This is what you can eat.'

"I don't diet. I do exercise! But I don't diet," she added. "You can't work when you're hungry, you know?"

For more, check out the full Glamour interview on newsstands March 6.