Hunger Games Star Jennifer Lawrence: Catching Fire ‘Will Be Very Real’

The violence of “The Hunger Games” had many fans squirming in their seats, and the sequel, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” will continue with the story’s graphic, intense and often gruesome feel.

“The new movie will be very real,” star Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss Everdeen, told the Los Angeles Times. “Which is what I’m excited about.”

The second chapter of “The Hunger Games Trilogy” sees (*SPOLIER ALERT!*) Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) back at the mercy of the Capital in a special edition of the games, called The Quarter Quell, which happens every 25 years and includes new twists to the deadly competition. In this edition of the games, past victors from the various districts are assembled to fight to the end.

The actress is excited to work with new director, Francis Lawrence, who stepped in for Gary Ross after his exit from the project.

“I really like his take, which is a lot of what I liked in Gary Ross,” she explained to the LA Times. “It’s the realistic grasp of the story instead of all the details of the imaginary things.”

She also noted that the addition of a new director at the helm doesn’t mean he’s going to change the world that fans have come to know.

“He’s not trying to reinvent anything,” she added.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” begins shooting in August and is slated for theatrical release on November 22, 2013.