THE HUNGER GAMES Hi-Res Photos: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson

Here are the high resolution photos of Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and  Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark in  The Hunger Games, which were recently released. The film is adapted from the Suzanne Collins novel of the same name and takes place in a society in which districts pay tribute in the form of a teenage boy and girl who are forced to fight to the death on live TV. Here's the official synopsis for “The Hunger Games”:

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The film also stars Elizabeth Banks, John C. Reilly, Wes Bentley, Leven Rambin, and Willow Shields. Director Steven Soderbergh is temporarily stepping into the director's chair for The Hunger Games. He is taking the helm for part of second unit shooting on the film. The Hunger Games is being directed by Gary Ross, who is friends with Steven Soderbergh.

“Soderbergh in the house this weekend!!!,” a film's production designer tweeted. Another person working on the film wrote, “Holy shit! Just found out that Steven Soderbergh is coming to the #hungergames to direct 2nd Unit.”

Lionsgate is scheduling a March 23rd, 2012 release date for The Hunger Games. Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark