Elizabeth Banks on Her Hunger Games Transformation (Video)

Hello from District Sugar. I just love that. Elizabeth Banks took a leap of faith to play Effie Trinket in the Hunger Games. See how she made the character her own in today's special PopSugar Rush. Best known for comedies like 'The 40 Year Old Virgin', 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno', and her role on '30 Rock', Elizabeth Banks was one of the more surprising casting decisions in The Hunger Games. PopSugar editor Molly Goodson has the story on becoming Effie from Elizabeth herself. So I know that you were a Hunger Games fan for a long time before signing on to the movie. Did you feel any pressure stepping into the role of Effie? I think there's always pressure when you know that, you know, readers have an expectation. I mean, I didn't create this character out of nothing. She You know, she exists in the minds of all the fans. And as the over the top capital resident Effie Elizabeth is barely recognizable. The hair and makeup in particular for you are pretty intense, were you involved in the creative process for that? I had really amazing collaborators on this film. The hair, makeup, and costuming teams are all Academy Award nominated. And I think everybody sort of had a picture of [xx] in their minds' eye and we all sort of brought those ideas to bear and Susan Collins really blessed everything that we did. Really for me, it was about making her happy, and as long it serviced her vision, that's what mattered the most to me. Elizabeth has been one busy lady too. In addition to being a new mom, she shot 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' along side J-Lo and Cameron Diaz before joining Jennifer Lawrence on the North Carolina set of 'The Hunger Games' So you get to work a lot with Jennifer Lawrence. What do you think makes her the perfect Katniss Everdeen? Jennifer Lawrence is just so wonderfully cast as Katniss. She's such a strong. tomboyish, down and dirty girl, she is girly when she wants to be, but her true essence is very playful and you know she grew up on a horse farm. You know, she really, she's like, she's from good stock, you know. And, as a fan is there a scene or part of the movie that you're most excited to see? I think a fan favorite is Rue. Yeah. And of course, you know, I can't wait to see her. She's played by a just a beautiful, wonderful young actress and I think she's gonna draw fans in. She's just gonna be the emotional knockout punch in this film. Well, I personally can't wait to see Elizabeth as Effie. Keep checking District Sugar.com for more from the cast.