2. Saoirse Ronan
An Academy Award and two-time BAFTA nominee, Irish actress Saoirse Ronan (no, I dont know how to pronounce it either) was perhaps the most high-profile candidate to audition for the part of Katniss Everdeen. Co-starring with James McAvoy and Kiera Knightley as a thirteen year old in Atonement first brought her to Hollywoods attention before two forgettable films in 2008 nevertheless saw her working alongside the likes of Guy Pearce and Bill Murray. The lead role in Peter Jacksons adaptation of The Lovely Bones followed, before a supporting turn in Peter Weirs The Way Back and the titular role in Joe Wrights Hanna gave her some action credentials in the years preceding The Hunger Games release. The role of Katniss was not to be, but Ronan seems likely to remain one of cinemas most recognisable young actresses with five films due out in 2013.