Jennifer Lawrence awkwardly claims she was first-ever female lead in an action movie-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Jennifer Lawrence hit the big time in The Hunger Games (Picture: PA)

Jennifer Lawrence slipped up when she incorrectly claimed she was the first ever female to lead an action movie – and Twitter won’t let her forget about it.

The Silver Linings Playbook actor, who welcomed her first child with husband Cooke Maroney earlier this year, soared to fame as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games film series, based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling books.

The first instalment of the survival drama hit cinema screens in 2012 and saw the dystopian world of Panem brought to life, with 24 tributes being forced to fight to the death in the annual Hunger Games.

Reflecting on the blockbuster trilogy, Jennifer, 32, awkwardly said she became the first leading female role in an action movie when she was cast more than a decade ago.

However, other women who have fronted action films before the Oscar Winner include Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Uma Thurman in Kill Bill and Sigourney Weaver in Alien.

While the Don’t Look Up star may have made an error, she was making a point about there being fewer opportunities for women in that genre of film.

Jennifer said she was ‘happy’ to see more action films with women (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

She told Variety: ‘I remember when I was doing Hunger Games, nobody had ever put a woman in the lead of an action movie because it wouldn’t work — because we were told girls and boys can both identify with a male lead, but boys cannot identify with a female lead.

‘And it just makes me so happy every single time I see a movie come out that just blows through every one of those beliefs, and proves that it is just a lie to keep certain people out of the movies. To keep certain people in the same positions that they’ve always been in.’

Film fans were quick to point out Jennifer’s mistake on Twitter but praised the wider point she was making about sexism in Hollywood.

The Hunger Games first came out a decade ago (Picture: Courtesy Everett Collection)

One remarked: ‘What Jennifer Lawrence said about being the first female action lead was incorrect. But the point she was making was absolutely spot on.’

‘Jennifer Lawrence believes that she was the 1st female lead in an action movie. Sigourney Weaver was kicking ass in Alien 11 years before #JLaw was born. Also see Pam Grier, Linda Hamilton, Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman and so many more for examples where she is 100% wrong,’ a cinema lover commented.

Many others also listed female action stars that had appeared in films before Jennifer, with one noting ‘Linda Hamilton, Milla Jovovich, Gal Gadot, Scarlet Johansson and Kate Beckinsale’ had taken on such roles.

Angelina Jolie was iconic as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (Picture: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock)

The Hunger Games isn’t the only film J-Law has reflected on as late, with the star admitting she regretted starring in Passengers opposite Chris Pratt in 2016.

More: Trending

‘I was like, ‘Oh no, you guys are here because I’m here, and I’m here because you’re here. Wait, who decided that this was a good movie?’ she told The New York Times.

She went on to say that pop sensation Adele told her not to do the film, describing space films as ‘the new vampire movies.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Jennifer Lawrence admits she ‘should have listened’ when Adele told her not to star in Passengers

MORE : Jennifer Lawrence tells of baby joy following past miscarriages

Follow Metro on Snapchat

You can follow our new Snapchat show Pop Cultur’d, the go-to place for all things pop culture.

Keep up with the latest Showbiz exclusives by following Metro Showbiz on Snapchat.

And football fans can indulge in all the transfer gossip and more on Metro Football on Snapchat.

Entertainment – MetroRead More