In The Hunger Games films, Elizabeth Banks may play a supporting role alongside franchise lead Jennifer Lawrence.
But at Monday night’s world premiere of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Banks stole the spotlight on the red carpet in a striking yellow ballgown that delivered full Hollywood drama.
While Jennifer’s unconventional backless, tunic-style dress split opinion among fashion critics, Elizabeth embraced classic glamour in a sweeping Jason Wu Resort 2014 design, complete with cut-out panels that drew attention to her slim waist.
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Mellow yellow: Elizabeth Banks brightens a gloomy evening in a Jason Wu gown at the UK premiere of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Effie would be proud: Elizabeth works the red carpet in the dramatic, billowing gown
Keeping the focus firmly on the dress, the actress limited her jewellery to her wedding ring and a GAYDAMAK Koral mini Hand Bracelet.
The 39-year-old mother of two brought a welcome burst of colour to the rain-soaked carpet on a dark, chilly night, as thousands of fans braved the weather for a chance to see their idols at the Leicester Square premiere.
Posting an Instagram photo of herself in her limousine on the way to the red carpet, she wrote: ‘On my way to the world premiere of The Hunger Games Catching Fire #London.’
Once at Leicester Square, she was thrilled to see one fan dressed up as Effie.
Speaking to the MailOnline on the red carpet, Elizabeth said: ‘Effie require a total transformation, we spent 3-4 hours everyday but it’s worth it. There’s no Effie without all that.
‘I love to disappear. I love to see her and not me on the screen.’
Joining Elizabeth at the screening were co-stars Jennifer, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Jena Malone, Sam Claflin and Donald Sutherland.
Unusual: Elizabeth ties her long blonde hair in a quirky twisty side ponytail
Gimme shelter: It looks like Elizabeth may need a bigger umbrella to protect her designer gown
Jennifer teamed her new pixie cut with an unusual shapeless Christian Dior gown with Smarties-esque embellishments on the skirt.
Jena, who plays Johanna Mason, wore a red Monique Lhuillier gown, while Josh and Liam looked dapper in their suits.
The Hunger Games sequel sees Elizabeth reprising her role as Effie Trinket from the 2012 film adaptation of the Suzanne Collins novel.
Working it: Elizabeth’s yellow dress complemented her blonde hair perfectly
Off I go! Elizabeth posted a candid photo in the limousine on the way to Leicester Square
That’s devotion! Elizabeth was thrilled to see a fan had dressed up as her character Effie Trinket
In an interview earlier this year, Elizabeth admitted she thought the character of Effie may be gay.
She told The Advocate: ‘Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games might be gay. My vision of the Capitol is pansexual like ancient Rome, where everybody’s doing everybody.
‘I think Suzanne Collins created the character to be nurturing and mothering in her own way, so she’s probably a woman. But I definitely saw a lot of drag Effies last Halloween in West Hollywood!’
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is released in the UK on 21 November and in the US in 22 November.
Here come the girls: Elizabeth joins (L-R) Jena Malone, Willow Shields, Jennifer Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson
Quirky: Jennifer Lawrence wore an unusual backless Christian Dior gown with Smarties-style embellishment
Lady in red: Jena Malone wore a sheer Monique Lhuillier dress with fringed hemline
The gang’s all here: The cast line up inside the Odeon before the film begins
