Lawrence's nerves over Hunger Games

Jennifer Lawrence has revealed she almost turned down the leading role in The Hunger Games - because it would change her life.

The Oscar-nominated Winter's Bone actress admitted it was her mum Karen, who talked her into accepting the role of Katniss Everdeen, in the story about teenagers forced to fight for their lives on live television.

"When I was doing indies and people were asking me why I don't do a studio film, I always said the size of the film doesn't matter. What matters is the script, the story and telling a story you care about," she said.

"This was a story I cared about and I wasn't going to do it because of the size of it. The books are important for our generation to read. We live in a world that's obsessed with reality television and it's completely desensitised us to the shock factor. People's tragedies are used for entertainment - the more tragic, the higher ratings and more entertaining it is."

The 21-year-old added: "The size of the film definitely made me pause - because it's life-changing. But I don't want to pass on something just because I'm scared. No matter what, my life will never be like this ever again."

Jennifer, who stars alongside Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, said that Katniss is her favourite character, although Effie Trinket (played by Elizabeth Banks) comes a close second.

"Katniss is this futuristic Joan of Arc - she's a symbol of hope, freedom and revolt, and she's a hero that doesn't want to be a hero," she said.

The Hunger Games is in cinemas now.