Jennifer Lawrence Says It's 'Too Soon' For 'Hunger Games' Prequels

Don't expect to see Katniss Everdeen suit up for another adventure in Panem anytime soon. At the premiere of "Joy," Jennifer Lawrence told Variety that she has no interest in filming another "Hunger Games" movie in the near future. 

When asked whether she would sign on for a prequel to the blockbuster series, which came to a close with this fall's "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2," her answer was pretty definitive. 

"I wouldn’t be involved," Lawrence said. "I think it’s too soon. They’ve got to let the body get cold, in my opinion."

You can't blame Lawrence for her lack of interest. Though "The Hunger Games" arguably propelled her into her current mega-stardom, she has a lot of other projects, including "Joy," in the mix at this point: a new David O. Russell movie practically every year, the "X-Men" movies, duck carnitas dates with Adele and Emma Stone. Since Katniss' story came to a very satisfying close at the end of "Mockingjay - Part 2," there really wasn't anything left for her to do. And the idea of exploring her life pre-Hunger Games ... well, that sounds pretty dreary. 

Plus, Francis Lawrence, who directed three of movies in the series, recently told The Huffington Post that he doesn't think there should be any more installments until series author Suzanne Collins comes up with a new idea. 

On the other hand, you really can't blame Lionsgate for wanting more "Hunger Games," as its executives have signaled they do. Four of its five highest-grossing movies of all time have been part of the franchise. The only other comparable franchise in its pocket, "The Divergent Series," is already halfway done, and not nearly as lucrative.

It's pretty hard to imagine the series continuing to be as successful without either Lawrence. But if the new movies in the "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter" universes gross as much money as they're expected to, it might be impossible for the studio to resist. 

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