Elizabeth Banks says her and Woody Harrelson's character in The Hunger Games would have "fun in the sack".

Elizabeth plays the role of uptight Effie Trinket in the movie, while Woody portrays has-been warrior-turned-alcoholic Haymitch Abernathy.

Elizabeth has claimed that Effie likes Haymitch just as much she appreciates Woody in real life.

"I think Effie has a huge crush on Haymitch. I have a huge crush on Woody [Harrelson]," she told E! News. "And I think Haymitch is like, Eh, I think Effie would be fun in the sack. I would do that.'"

The actress says the characters have respect for each other. But she also thinks they secretly want more than a friendship.

"Haymitch and Effie have spent a lot of time together," Elizabeth said. "We played a lot with that actually.

"I think that there is actual respect between the two of them.We wanted to play them like they're old - well, they're not old friends, but there is a respect between them."

The star adds she wanted to play the character true to the books.

Elizabeth is a huge fan of the novels by Suzanne Collins and reveals she was on the waiting list for Mockingjay, the third book in the trilogy.

"I wanted Effie to be ageless. For all you know, she's 105 and she's been doing this a long time," she said. "I had no interest in just being comic relief, I really wanted a three dimensional character She needed to be brainwashed, which I think is really interesting, and she's ultimately kind of a villain, which is fun too."

The movie is released in US and UK cinemas from March 23.