The Hunger Games gets a prequel! The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will hit theaters later this year and we've got everything you need to know about that: the release date, the cast, the plot and even more.
Welcome, welcome, welcome! Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor! It's been years since Katniss Everdeen lead the rebellion against the Capitol and ended the cruel event of letting children off each other for entertainment purposes. Good for her!
While her story is over, there are still lots and lots of others to tell in the world that Suzanne Collins created with her book series. In 2020, ten years after the original series' release, Collins gave fans the newest book: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The film adaptation will release in 2023 and we've got all the infos on that!
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | Release Date & Trailer
First things first: how long is the wait until the newest installment of The Hunger Games makes its way onto the big screen? Good news: it's not that long! The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is scheduled to release on November 17, 2023.
And even though November is not that far away, the amazing trailer and premise of the story still make the wait a hard one.
What's The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes About?
Don't worry: I won't spoil the whole thing. Let's just take a look at the general vibe, setting and characters, shall we?
The Hunger Games world is a cruel one for sure as killing kids for sport is only the tip of the iceberg. Political scheming, betrayals and cut-throat methods to stay on top have been present at all times in most Districts and the Capitol.
As Katniss' journey came to an end, it's best to keep it at that: let her rest. Good thing there are enough other interesting characters that make for good protagonists, right? So The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes does quite the jump: 64 years into the past, to be exact, to take a closer look at none other than President Coriolanus Snow. The official synopsis reads as follows:
THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES follows a young Coriolanus who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.
Lucy Gray: The Antithesis Of Katniss Everdeen
When the first Hunger Games book dropped, the protagonist Katniss Everdeen was a breath of fresh air in the weirdest way. Female leads often suffer from Mary-Sue-ness, basically having only few to no edges. Katniss was different and at times downright unlikeable – which, oddly, made her a great protagonist.
And who could blame her? She grew up in the worst environment imaginable, never knowing anything other than poverty, losing her father, you name it. It's understandable she was stoic, pragmatic, and the furthest from a typical female lead.
Cue: Lucy Gray, the "anti-Katniss" according to director Francis Lawrence (who also directed the previous movies except for the first one). While Katniss was on the quiet side of things, reluctantly leading a rebellion, Lucy is a master manipulator and knows how to play a crowd without instructions.
They really come in all shapes and sizes from District 12, huh? Let's see how Snow handles the first tribute from there, as we all know how his encounter with the last turned out.
The Cast Of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
You've seen them in the trailer: there's going to be a great ensemble for the newest Hunger Games movie. While Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss was iconic, the new cast seems to be just as great. Here's the list:
- Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow
- Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray
- Jason Schwartzman as Lucky Flickerman
- Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom
- Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow
The cast wouldn't be complete without Fionnula Flanagan, Viola Davis and Josh Andrés Rivera, of course, so look forward to seeing them and many more on November 17!