Spotlight On: Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence had a few big movie franchises and an Oscar under her belt -- all before the age of 25. As her latest, the spy thriller 'Red Sparrow,' comes to screens, let's revisit her work.

In her first major film role, Lawrence shines as a girl desperately trying to rebuild her future after a troubled past in this border-crossing personal journey. 

Lawrence gained her first Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Ree, an unflinching young woman set on protecting her family from their drug-dealing father. The future Katniss really took her role as a mountain girl to heart, learning how to skin squirrels, chop wood and ditch the makeup kit.

The rising star put an unforgettable tag on the role of a high school valedictorian who spends just as much time getting busted for graffiti as she does cracking the books. And you thought Mel Gibson’s deep conversations with a beaver puppet were the only reason to see this movie. 

Did you know that Lawrence -- playing shapeshifter Mystique -- is the third Oscar-winning actress to appear in the ‘X-Men’ films? The others were Anna Paquin (1993’s ‘The Piano’) and Halle Berry (2002’s ‘Monster’s Ball’). All three of them appear together in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past.’

The role that transformed her into an international megastar almost didn’t happen. Jennifer was initially reluctant to take the part of Katniss because she thought the franchise's popularity would have too big an impact on her personal life. And while her fears came true, fans can't imagine anyone else in the role. 

'Playbook' led the charge during the 2012 awards season, scoring Lawrence a Best Actress Oscar for her work as the emotionally vulnerable Tiffany in this adaptation of the popular book, which deals with love, loss and mental illness. She should have thanked Anne Hathaway in her acceptance speech, though, since the part went to Lawrence when Hathaway dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.

With its worldwide gross of $911 million, the second installment of the ‘Hunger Games’ franchise helped land Lawrence the Guinness World Record for the highest grossing action-movie heroine.

Lawrence picked up her third Oscar nomination for her portrayal of sexy con artist Rosalyn Rosenfeld in this based-on-real-life tale of bribery and double-dealing. Just 23 at the time, she became the youngest actress ever to be nominated for three Oscars. 

Don’t feel blue for Ms. Lawrence. Most actresses never get to star in one megafranchise, let alone two! For her second turn as the world’s sexiest mutant, she often wore a special bodysuit. She had previously worn full-body prosthetics in ‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011), but found that too uncomfortable.

The first half of 'The Hunger Games' final chapter had Lawrence's Katniss facing her hardest trial yet. As the figurehead of the revolution that's now being televised, she finds that the resistance's new regime may present its own challenges.

We bade Katniss farewell in this final installment of the final installment, which saw a surprising turn of events and some shocking deaths in some of the franchise's most exciting sequences.

Lawrence was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar yet again under David O. Russell's direction for playing household-item mogul Joy Mangiano.

Lawrence donned the blue makeup for this installment of the X-Men franchise, which she has said may be her last appearance as the shape shifter.

Awakened 90 years early on a malfunctiong space craft, Lawrence shined brightly opposite Chris Pratt in a tale of loneliness transformed by action, hope and romance.

A couple's tranquil existence is shattered when unexpected guests arrive. Darren Aronofsky's surprising, horrific drama depends greatly upon Lawrence's magnetic starring performance.