Jennifer Lawrence (“X-Men : First Class”, “Winters Bone”) is said to be close to signing for “The Hunger Games”, the film based on the best-selling novel by Suzanne Collins.

According to Deadline, Lawrence and Lionsgate will likely begin negotiations next week.

Sad news for Oscar Nominee Hailee Steinfeld (“True Grit”), “Sucker Punch” starlet Emily Browning, and “Zombieland” co-star Abigail Breslin, who had also been vying for the part.

The first film in the best-selling book series – which will be directed by Gary Ross, of “Seabiscuit” fame – is set in a futuristic America where a lottery chooses a male and a female to battle in a fight to the finish. Lawrence would play the fighting female, while “I Am Number Four” star Alex Pettyfer has been offered the role of the male, Peeta.