Exclusive: How Hunger Games Prequel Accidentally Cast Rachel Zegler's Boyfriend

Summary

Francis Lawrence, the director of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, reveals that Rachel Zegler initially turned down the role of Lucy.

Zegler hesitated to spend additional time in Europe away from her loved ones. This was because she had recently finished filming Disney's live-action Snow White in England for a duration of six months, during which strict COVID-19 isolation protocols were in place.

Later on, Lawrence unknowingly chose Josh Andrés Rivera to play the role of Sejanus Plinth, only to discover that he was Zegler's boyfriend. However, Zegler eventually reconsidered her decision.

Francis Lawrence, the director of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, discusses the challenge he faced in casting Rachel Zegler for the movie. Surprisingly, it was her boyfriend being accidentally cast in the film that ultimately convinced her to take on the role. The upcoming prequel, based on Suzanne Collins' book, is set almost 70 years before the events of Katniss Everdeen's story. Zegler plays the character Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12 who is mentored by Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blythe) during the 10th iteration of the Games.

As the release date for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes approaches, Lawrence reveals to EW that although Zegler initially declined the role, there was a promising initial meeting. However, due to her busy schedule filming for the live-action Snow White, she would only have a few days off, along with weeks of solitary COVID-19 quarantine in the UK, away from her loved ones. It seems she was in need of a well-deserved break. Lawrence shares his recollection of Zegler's reaction below.

Zegler's initial fear of spending six months in Poland after six months in London terrified her to the point of turning pale. However, her feelings changed quickly when the production accidentally cast her boyfriend, Josh Andrés Rivera, as Sejanus Plinth. Interestingly, Lawrence was initially unaware of the connection between the two actors.

"My assistant was like, 'Do you know who that is?' And I go, 'Yeah. He was in West Side Story. She says, 'That's Rachel's boyfriend.’

Who Is Lucy In The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes?

Shifting the focus from Jennifer Lawrence's bow-wielding hero in the four Hunger Games films, the forthcoming prequel introduces an entirely distinct protagonist. Unlike Katniss, Lucy possesses exceptional talent as a singer and songwriter. Prior to her selection for the 10th Hunger Games, Lucy earned her livelihood in District 12 through her captivating musical performances.

Before her time in District 12, Lucy belonged to a nomadic group known as the Covey. While she may lack fighting skills, Lucy is well acquainted with loss and the horrors inflicted by the Capitol, as her immediate family was killed by Peacekeepers. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will follow her journey as the District 12 tribute, showcasing her bond with Snow as they make their way to the Capitol and participate in the games.

Similar to how Lawrence anchored the Hunger Games movies with her standout performance as Katniss, Zegler will play a crucial role in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. However, this upcoming story also appears to delve into Snow's background before his ascent to power, potentially turning the prequel into a dual-focus narrative. The audience's response to Zegler's lead performance remains to be seen, but it is clear that the director believed she was the perfect choice for the role from the start.

Source: EW