Do you give yourself a bit of a break between each project?

I try to. I only had two weeks off between The Hunger Games and The Silver Linings Playbook. I slept for 15 hours every day. I had to turn down one movie that I loved because I wasn’t going to get any break at all. Emotionally, you’re going through so much you wouldn’t normally go through everyday and physically, the hours are really demanding.

Are you thankful for The Bill Engvall Show for giving you the financial independence to turn down roles you weren’t interested in?

[Taking that show] was one of the best decisions I ever made. Even indie actors do a studio every once in a while because it means you can still go back and do as many indies as you want afterwards. I don’t think at 16 I really had the mindset of, ‘If I do that then I’ll be able to do this’, I just think it happened that way; but, yes, that show meant I could afford to turn down the crap movies and do what I loved.

So the quality of the script is important to you?

Yes. Sometimes I watch films that I can’t believe got made. Especially because I read scripts that are truly incredible, that will never get made. I don’t know who is behind those decisions. It’s like you just have to doodle something on a page about the underdog who finally gets the girl and the film gets made.

Ree in Winter’s Bone is quite similar to Katniss in that they both feel a sense of responsibility for their younger siblings. Can you relate to them?

I do have some kind of gravitational pull towards young characters with more responsibility than they should have. Jodie Foster told me something interesting when we were filming The Beaver. She said, “I look back at my career when I was younger and can connect what I was going through at the time with the characters I was playing. I see the similarities in them reflecting on my life.” It made me think, ‘Why am I choosing to play these characters?’ I’m the youngest in a family where I didn’t have to take responsibility for much. Maybe it was because I used to be a babysitter? I guess I like caring for kids.

The Hunger Games has been called the next Twilight and is predicted to bring in $170 million at the box office. Are you a bit nervous about the attention this is going to bring you?

I think anybody would be. I was scared before I said yes but I didn’t want to miss something I love. There’s not really a way to prepare for it, because I’ve no idea what will happen. I think I’m more scared of my personal life changing. I remember during Oscar season, the thing I hated most was being talked to differently; people treat you differently. And then I suddenly understood why celebrities can be so weird; it’s hard to act normal when no-one treats you normally.

When no-one’s challenging you…

You ask if you look good and you know people are lying. It was a depressing thing to experience. I was going to these parties where I used to be ignored and then all of a sudden people are paying attention to me. People’s behaviour changed. I have a feeling that [when The Hunger Games comes out], it will be like that but on a bigger scale.

Do you still get to see people who know you from before?

It took me years to find the friends I’ve got in LA. I’ve got five or six amazing friends that I trust and love, I know exactly who I am and don’t care about anything else. I think it’s so important to keep those people and family in your life. It’s so easy to think that this [celebrity] is reality; that people are lining up outside just to write down what I have to say. That’s not real; that’s weird.

Do you ever feel lonely?

Sometimes. You stay in these amazing hotel suites and I love the travelling and the people I work with, but yes, it’s a lonely lifestyle.

What kind of things do you like to do in your spare time?

When I’m not working, I am the laziest person. I can literally lie on a couch and watch television for 15 hours. I hate people who say, “Oh, I’m addicted to working out”. I just want to punch those people in the face [laughs].

There is a saying that everyone has a book in them. Do you think you do? Are there other creative outlets you would like to pursue?

I would love to direct. I don’t think I am ready. I’ve got a few more years of learning to do. I just love film making; all aspects of it. I love the idea of writing but I just don’t feel like I could really do it. I didn’t even graduate from school. Things seemed to have worked out quite well so far despite that… My career is one thing in my life that I don’t plan. Last night I was designing the interior of my condo that I haven’t even bought yet.

The Hunger Games is in cinemas nationwide from Friday 23 March

Words: Debbie McQuoid

Picture credits: Getty Images and Rex Features

Not read The Hunger Games yet? Catch up with our handy Hunger Games Cheat Sheet

Jennifer Lawrence: Natural Talent