'The Hunger Games' Premiere: Red Carpet (PHOTOS)

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The world premiere of "The Hunger Games" took place in Los Angeles Monday night, leaving fans even more eager for the film's release.

The highly-anticipated film adaptation from the bestselling novel by Suzanne Collins will open to the general public on March 23.

Downtown Los Angeles' Nokia Theater saw the film's stars hit the red carpet for the event. The PG-13 movie stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Elizabeth Banks.

"The Hunger Games" is estimated to gross at least $95 million in its opening weekend, and even $100 million weekend is possible, reported Reuters. Only 19 movies have ever opened to more than $100 million, while just 21 have opened to over $95 million.

The film also sees actors Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Lenny Kravitz, and Donald Sutherland.

"The Hunger Games" trilogy is based on young adult science fiction books first published in 2008. The story introduces 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where the United States once existed. In Panem, a government working in a central city called the Capitol holds all of the power.

The books follow Katniss, portrayed by Lawrence in the film, as she attends a nationally televised competition. The Capitol selects one boy and one girl aged 12 to 18 from each of the 12 districts to participate in a battle to the death where only one survives: the winner.

Miley Cyrus attended the premiere alongside her boyfriend and "The Hunger Games" star Hemsworth. The former Disney actress opened up about her boyfriend's film.

"The bad part of an actor is just being away from the people you care about, not really the work," said the 22-year-old while answering questions on the red carpet.

"I think the hardest part for Liam was being away from me," Cyrus told E! News. "And his brother and his family."

The audience was packed during the premiere as "Hunger Games" stars arrived. On Twitter, fans have sounded off about Monday's premiere.

"Jennifer Lawrence looked SMOKIN at the #HungerGames premiere," wrote Twitter user Molly.

Marie Claire posted, "The #HungerGames stars looked fab at their premiere!"

"The Hunger Games premiere was absolutely flawless. Thank you soo much Lionsgate, Gary Ross, and crew, and all you fans that made this," posted "Hunger Games" actress Annie Thurman.

"The Hunger Games" may surpass the Nov. 2011 premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1" and its $138.1 million opening weekend when it hits theaters March 23.