Entertainment Weekly has posted a message from The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins (pictured, via) giving actress Jennifer Lawrence her endorsement to play Katniss Everdeen in the film adaptation.

Here is an excerpt from Collins’ statement: “In her remarkable audition piece, I watched Jennifer embody every essential quality necessary to play Katniss…I think that was the essential question for me. Could she believably inspire a rebellion? Did she project the strength, defiance and intellect you would need to follow her into certain war? For me, she did.”

The actress herself also spoke with Entertainment Weekly about landing this role. In her interview, Lawrence said that she understood the great responsibility she has to the book’s fans. What do you think?