...in what could be the next 'Twilight'. Here's the story in Variety:With the Oscars over, two of this year's up-and-coming nominees are being considered for the hottest female role available at the moment: the lead in "Hunger Games."
Sources tell Variety that 2010 Academy Award nominees Jennifer Lawrence and Hailee Steinfeld -- as well as Abigail Breslin, nominated for "Little Miss Sunshine" -- are all vying for the Liongate tentpole, due next March 23.
While no offer has been made, insiders say that Lawrence has generated the most interest.
Studio has Gary Ross directing and Billy Ray set to pen the script that Lionsgate hopes will be the next "Twilight"-like franchise. Source material is the hit book series by Suzanne Collins, which takes place in a dystopian future where a young girl joins a survival contest to save her community.
While "Games" is still a couple months from production, the lead role has become an important piece in what direction the film takes. The most significant is whether Ross wants his lead to play older or younger.
