Elizabeth Banks Effie Trinket In 'Hunger Games': Star Lands Role

It's official: Elizabeth Banks has landed a major role in "The Hunger Games."

The star tweeted the news on Thursday afternoon, writing, "Yes! And I can now confirm I'm EFFIE TRINKET in @TheHungerGames. So excited!"

Banks was first linked to the role over a week ago. Trinket is the adult escort and sometimes protector of the story's heroes -- Katniss, Peeta and Gale -- teenage warriors battling in a nationally broadcast fighting tournament on a post-Apocalyptic vision of Earth.

Jennifer Lawrence will play Katniss, the story's lead; Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth take on Peeta and Gale, respectively.

It's the latest in a long series of projects for a busy Banks. plays one of Paul Rudd's sisters in the comedy film "Our Idiot Brother," and in 2012, will feature in "Man on Ledge" and "Welcome To People."

Comments

[timetraveller3]

04:52 AM on 05/01/2011

I haven't seen much of her work, but I just saw "The Next Three Days", and I thought she was really good in it. And I was surprised, because her character in the movie starts out as a complete stereotype (I remember thinking: "here we go . . . Russell Crowe and the cookie-cutter blonde . . . "), but circumstances quickly force her to become more than that, and she rises to the occasion.

[AllyCat7]

01:52 AM on 05/01/2011

Finally, an article about a female celeb that isn't about her body or weight. Halleluyah!!!

[butchcliff]

06:18 AM on 04/29/2011

Such a good actress....Hope her brand rises...always seems to be unrecognized for her talents

[KJLSanDiego]

11:01 PM on 04/28/2011

Good for her!
I hope this movie is as amazing as it has the potential to be!

[ptrgamb]

06:33 PM on 04/28/2011

She's very wonderful. She was even good in one of her few "serious" roles in "Seabiscuit"

[notadumbblonde]

08:08 PM on 04/28/2011

That's when I was introduced to her, and I've loved her ever since. This is not a screen presence, this is a bonified actor.

[EricBishop]

05:13 PM on 04/28/2011

Glad that she'll make some bank from the Battle Royale ripoff.

[DungBeetle]

04:50 PM on 04/28/2011

Loved her in Happy Gilmore.

[NoElephants]

06:25 PM on 04/28/2011

That's a joke, right?

[amanandamouse]

04:05 PM on 04/28/2011

Don't know what this book/movie is but Banks was very good in Slither, The Uninvited and Definitely Maybe - for those wondering what she has been in.

[dubbleplusgood]

03:50 PM on 04/28/2011

I've only seen her in a few films, but enjoyed them all and well... how can a guy not have a little crush on this woman? I just hope she doesn't fall into the trap of cosmetic surgery that so many Hollywood actresses in their 30s have been doing recently. It's downright nauseating.

[Just a passerby]

02:51 PM on 04/28/2011

who??

I wish HP would fire whoever runs the entertainment section. It's just so kittenish it's revolting.

[Bruce Forbes]

03:23 PM on 04/28/2011

Elizabeth Banks has been in many, many motion pictures. She's very bright, and she's a good actress. You must not watch a lot of movies.

[Doc Wattson]

04:04 AM on 04/29/2011

How exactly do you know she is bright?

[stape45]

03:44 PM on 04/28/2011

Elizabeth is nobody's rookie, and she's no slouch either. And IMO, she's "eye candy", as well.

[PuffPuffPost]

02:14 PM on 04/28/2011

She looks a bit crazy and bipolar. Perfect look to match Effie's personality. I think she'll do a great job playing this role. (And Gale isn't part of the games/tournament. Only Katniss and Peeta. Gale is part of the war.)

[Heather Van]

03:48 PM on 04/28/2011

Gale is not part of the war in the first book. That happens later.

[PuffPuffPost]

05:51 PM on 04/28/2011

I know that. I was simply speaking in regards to his role in the books in general. He's never part of the tournament.