Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence in her role as Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games." Lionsgate

On the same night that Lady Gaga performed as her male alter ego and Beyonce announced her pregnancy, the first trailer of The Hunger Games was also released.

Jennifer Lawrence, who portrays the film's heroine, Katniss Everdeen, provided an introduction on Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards before the short trailer.

Hi, I wish I could be at the VMAs in person, but I'm in North Carolina filming 'The Hunger Games.' Like so many of you I'm a huge fan of these books and I can't wait to share the movie with you in March, Lawrence said.

The release of the trailer comes nearly three weeks after the film, based on the popular young adult trilogy by Suzanne Collins, released exclusive photos from the first installment.

Along with Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks also star in the film.

The Hunger Games revolves around Katniss and her survival in the post-apocalyptic world, with fight-to-the-death challenges, government struggles and corruption.

In May, Lawrence, 21, described her first reaction when she was offered the coveted role.

I knew that as soon as I said yes, my life would change . . . and if I had said no, I would regret it every day, Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly.

The Hunger Games, directed by Gary Ross, arrives in theaters on March 23, 2012. The second film installment, Catching Fire, will open in theaters on Nov. 22, 2013.

Here's a first look at The Hunger Games.

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