Actresses Who Could Have Played Katniss Everdeen of 'The Hunger Games' [PHOTOS]

With the hype still on high for Suzanne Collins best-selling novel and Gary Ross' directed film adaptation, "The Hunger Games", it's no wonder why Jennifer Lawrence who played Katniss Everdeen is currently Hollywood's "It" girl. Yet, imagine if there was no Oscar nominated actress from the film "Winter's Bone" to play "The Girl on Fire". Given all the actresses in Hollywood, who would then be worthy of playing the highly acclaimed role of Katniss Everdeen?

Before Jennifer Lawrence was even decided to play the role of the feisty archer on Suzanne Collins novels, there had already been a few fan-worthy suggestions one of which include the lovely British actress, Kaya Scodelario.

Kaya Scodelario is best known for her role as Effy Stonem in the television series, "Skins" where she plays a drug-deranged and suicidal teenager. In 2010, she appeared briefly as Peshet in "Clash of the Titans" before braving the classic role as Catherine Earnshaw in the film, "Wuthering Heights."

Another worthy suggestion of playing "The Girl on Fire" would be Irish actress, Saoirse Ronan. It was a fact that the Oscar nominated actress, for her role in the 2007 film, "Atonement", was indeed considered for the role by Lionsgate. Her other notable roles include "The Lovely Bones" of 2009 and her most recent film, "Hannah" which showed of her kick-ass moves.

Lionsgate had other Oscar nominees as their choices for Katniss Everdeen. Apart from Ronan, Hailee Steinfeld of "True Grit" and Abigail Breslin of "Little Miss Sunshine" were among the selected teens to play "The Girl on Fire."

Fans may have reacted negatively to the casting of a blonde, Jennifer Lawrence for the role of Katniss but two other blondes were also up for the role if Lawrence had not nabbed it. Emma Roberts of "Wild Child" and Chloe Moretz of "Kick Ass" were also considered for the role.

Australian actress, Emily Browning of "Sucker Punch" was also considered for the role as Katniss. This holds true to a few other dark-haired actresses of Hollywood namely Lyndsy Fonseca of "Nikita", Sarah Hyland of Disney and Shailene Woodley of "The Descendants."

While a few may agree that Lawrence played the "perfect" Katniss Everdeen, a few film critics still say Lionsgate could have done better given all the Oscar nominated actresses in Hollywood. Well, with all said and done, Jennifer won't be giving up the role as "The Girl on Fire" anytime soon because filming for "Catching Fire" will start soon enough and before anyone notices, "Mockingjay" will soon be on its way as well.