First Look at Jennifer Lawrence in 'The Hunger Games'

As is their privilege, Entertainment Weekly is giving us our first look at Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist of the wildly popular "Hunger Games" series of books that Lionsgate is hoping will translate to box office gold.

Apparently there was a lot of concern on the part of the books' fans that Lawrence was a blonde while Katniss was brunette, but the centuries-old practice of hair dye has fixed all that, and she mostly looks like a girl in a leather-like suit.

Just a word of advice - "Hunger Games" fans would probably be better off spending their time watching "Winter's Bone," for which Lawrence was nominated, and appraising her considerable acting talent before rushing to judgment. But I guess it's easier not to.

I've obviously never read the book, which concerns a dystopian future in which children fight to the death, but many of my smart, well-read fans tell me it's well worth my time.

Entertainment Weekly also posted portions of their interview with Lawrence, in which she discusses how the Oscar race is just like being a gladiator.

"[Director Gary Ross] was asking me what the experience was like," Lawrence told EW, "and I just kind of opened up and said, 'I feel like a rag doll. I have hair and makeup people coming to my house every day and putting me in new, uncomfortable, weird dresses and expensive shoes, and I just shut down and raise my arms up for them to get the dress on, and pout my lips when they need and put the lipstick on.' And we both started laughing because that's exactly what it's like for Katniss in the Capitol. She was a girl who's all of a sudden being introduced to fame. I know what that feels like to have all this flurry around you and feel like, 'Oh, no, I don't belong here.'"

"The Hunter Games" will be released on March 23rd, 2012, and sports a pretty wonderful cast including Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson, and Woody Harrelson. The latest issue of EW will hit stands on Friday, and feature even more images of Lawrence along with their full interview.

Lawrence can next be seen painted blue in "X-Men: First Class" on June 3rd.