Since the release of The Hunger Games in 2012, star Jennifer Lawrence has achieved many career milestones. She won an Oscar for her role in Silver Linings Playbook, was nominated for another for her work in American Hustle, became the face of Dior, and had a best-selling single. Lawrence hit the top of the charts with "The Hanging Tree," a song written and recorded for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1. The song, performed by Lawrence as Katniss during a pivotal moment in the film, was a surprise smash, inspiring the release of pop-friendly remixes. With the massive success of "The Hanging Tree," fans are wondering, will Jennifer Lawrence sing in Mockingjay, Part 2 ?
Given how reluctant the actress was to sing "The Hanging Tree" in the first place, if you're hoping to get a repeat performance in Mockingjay, Part 2, the odds are not in your favor. As Lawrence has stated time and time again, she does not like to sing seriously in public and had to be talked into singing for the film. "She was horrified to sing," said Mockingjay director Francis Lawrence in an interview with Vanity Fair. "She cried a little bit in the morning before [the scene]...She'd probably tell you it was her least favorite day [on set]."
During an interview with David Letterman, Lawrence revealed that she had hoped a singer would dub her voice in the film. "Will you guys please get Lorde to really sing it?" Lawrence recalled on The Late Show .
Yet despite her apprehension, the experience for Lawrence was not necessarily a new one. The actress performed "Deep In the Meadow (Lullaby)" in The Hunger Games, singing to Rue as she died in the arena. Unlike "The Hanging Tree," that song was not released as a single, nor was it meant to be. Only a few lines from "Deep In the Meadow (Lullaby)" can be heard in the scene.
Katniss singing "The Hanging Tree" was an important plot point in the original Mockingjay book by Suzanne Collins. The film used Collins' original lyrics to the song, asking indie-folk-rock band the Lumineers to create a melody for the final track. Collins did not include any other song in the book, so it's unlikely that Lawrence will sing again in Mockingjay, Part 2. However, given the fact that the song was used in rebellion propaganda in the film, it wouldn't be surprising if the tune popped up again.
Want more Hunger Games? Watch Bustle's drunk recap of Mockingjay, Part 1 below:
Images: Lionsgate; Giphy
