Hunger Games Prequel Star Wants to Play a Popular X-Men Villain

Ashley Liao, who recently appeared in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, has revealed which X-Men character she would love to play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

During an interview with ComicBook.com, Liao was asked if she had any comic book aspirations. “Oh my gosh. I mean, I feel like if I could go back in time, I would’ve loved to have been Mystique,” Liao shared. “Something about the way that Jennifer Lawrence did that, though, I don’t know that I could have filled those shoes, but I love her character. I love that blue. It’s mesmerizing. But I really feel for how much she probably had to sit in hair and makeup for all of that. I know that the prosthetics and all of that, it just takes a long time.” She jokingly added that if ComicBook.com knew someone at Marvel that they should “give them a call.”

Who Is Mystique?

Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist David Cockrum, Mystique first appeared in Ms. Marvel #16, published by Marvel Comics in April 1978. Typically portrayed as a foe of the X-Men, she is a mutant with the ability to mimic the appearance and voice of any person. Her natural appearance includes blue skin, red hair and yellow eyes. She was previously portrayed by Rebecca Romijn in the original X-Men film trilogy and by Jennifer Lawrence in the X-Men prequel quadrilogy. It is worth noting that Lawrence previously played the lead role of Katniss Everdeen in the original The Hunger Games films.

While Marvel Studios has not announced plans to feature Mystique in any upcoming MCU project, the X-Men were officially introduced in the last MCU movie, The Marvels, via an appearance by Kelsey Grammer’s Beast. The next theatrical entry, Deadpool 3, will further establish the X-Men’s presence in the MCU with appearances by Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, and Stefan Kapičić’s Colossus, as well as several other rumored X-Men reprisals.

What’s Next for The Hunger Games Franchise?

At the time of writing, five Hunger Games films have been released by Lionsgate: The Hunger Games (2012), Catching Fire (2013), Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014), Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015) and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023). While a sixth installment has not been formally announced, Lionsgate has expressed interest in returning to the franchise so long as series creator Suzanne Collins is involved.

Josh Hutcherson, who appeared in the first four films as Peeta Mellark, is also open to reprising his role in a future Hunger Games sequel. In a recent interview, the actor shared, “Getting me and Jen [Lawrence], Liam [Hemsworth], Woody [Harrelson], and Elizabeth [Banks]. If we get the whole gang back together, I’m in 100%.”

Source: ComicBook.com