Eight years after the final episode of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 2, the dystopian saga adapted from Susan Collins’ novels is set to return to the big screen with The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird this fall.
Released in 2020, this prequel to The Adventures of Katniss focuses on the youth of the tyrannical President Snow (played by Donald Sutherland in the original saga). Very quickly it was announced that this book would in turn be made into a feature film, again with Francis Lawrence behind the camera.
The first images of this adaptation have finally been revealed via a lengthy trailer. For reference, the first teaser, which focused on the film’s logo, was previously released last summer.
The Hunger Games: The Balla of the Serpent and Songbird, scheduled to hit French cinemas on November 15, 2023, takes place 64 years before the adventures of Katniss, Peeta and Gale.
The plot goes like this: Young Coriolanus (Tom Blythe) is the last hope of his line, the once rich and proud Snow family, now fallen from grace in the post-war Capitol.
As the 10th Hunger Games approaches, he is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zeigler), a tribute from District 12, the poorest and most hated of Panem.
Lucy Gray’s charm has captivated society, Snow sees in her an opportunity to change their fate and join forces with her to turn fate in their favor. Torn between good and evil against her instincts, Snow is in a race against time to survive and find out if she will eventually become a songbird or a snake.
In terms of casting, British comedian Tom Blyth, previously seen in the TV series Billy the Kid, slips into the shoes of young Coriolanus Snow, Rachel Zeigler, revealed by Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story and the next Snow White from the Disney film. Live action brings her features to Lucy, and Hunter Shaffer (Julie in Euphoria) is Tigress Snow.
Multi-award winning actress Viola Davis plays the cruel Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the creator of the 10th Hunger Games, and Tyrion Lannister of Game of Thrones fame Peter Dinklage plays the Academy Dean Casca Highbottom.
Finally, Jason Schwartzman is Lucretius Flickerman, the host of the games and the ancestor of Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci).
This prequel is directed by Francis Lawrence, to whom we owe the last three films of the Hunger Games franchise. In 4 feature films, the Hunger Games saga has grossed nearly $3 billion at the international box office.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
