Banks asked 'Hunger Games' author for permission to return to film

Elizabeth Banks asked Suzanne Collins for her blessing before agreeing to return to 'The Hunger Games' franchise.

The 40-year-old actress - who plays Effie Trinket, a flamboyant escort for the tributes, in the film series - didn't expect to return for the third or fourth movies because her character is not in the original novels by Collins, so felt compelled to ask for her permission before re-joining the cast for 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1'.