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May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

Amandla Stenberg Talks About Playing Rue In The Hunger Games

by Jill Pantozzi | 2:45 pm, January 20th, 2012


Amandla Stenberg was named for the Zulu word for “power,” and she’ll get a chance to translate that into her performance as Rue, the District 11 tribute in The Hunger Games in just a few short months. The petite actress recently did a lengthy interview with Publishers Weekly about her role, her history with Suzanne Collins’ books, and summer reading. 

EDIT: Per a request from Publishers Weekly, we have removed the majority of content from this post. Edited content follows.

The 13-year-old doesn’t have many credits to her name but will likely be getting tons of attention after the film is released. PW’s Karen Springen, a friend of Amandla’s mother, conducted the interview. She told Springen she first read the original book two years ago when she was in sixth grade and finished it in two nights.

The 4’9 actress said violence is not really a big part of the book/film, “It’s about survival. It’s a warning to the world to not become so desperate and barbaric.”

Incredibly intelligent words from Stenberg, who happens to be a voracious reader. She says she’s anticipating the film’s release just like we are since she hasn’t seen the finished product yet. Though, from what she’s filmed and seen, she is positive fans will be very pleased

I, for one, can’t wait to see her performance. If this interview is any indication, she’s going to be superb.

(via Publishers Weekly)

Previously in The Hunger Games

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  • Terence Ng

    She is so well spoken and insightful for a kid her age. I’ve encountered soooo many 11 – 13 year olds who would never glean the insight she has about what the violence truly represents in the books, let alone be able to communicate it well. Thank god for a new generation of voracious readers. I’m so excited to see her in this movie! :D

  • Francesca M

    READERS FTW.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_R7GVNIKWG3S2UTHEQOMSZXT4M4 Anna B

    ADORABLE. The moment I saw that still at the top, my heart went out to her. I don’t think I can watch *that scene* without losing it. I’ll cry.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Joshua-Yamada/100001820883138 Joshua Yamada

    She’s so cute, I’m glad she’s starring as Rue who’s so sweet and innocent.

  • Anonymous

    This girl is amazing! She’s so well spoken and well-read, more-so than people I know that are in their twenties. I love the second picture and the completely stacked bookshelf you can see poking its way into the background in the corner. I was already super excited for this movie because I love the books, but seeing how perfect Amandla is for Rue is making me even more optimistic.

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