Introducing the Tributes of 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' through Exclusive Images

Article Summary

Set 64 years prior to the events of the original Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes revolves around the story of a youthful Coriolanus Snow as he takes on the role of mentor to Lucy Gray Baird, hailing from District 12.

The film introduces key tributes from Districts 4, 11, and 7, such as Coral, Dill, Reaper, and Lamina, who have connections to characters from the original Hunger Games films.

Promising a captivating blend of action, drama, and romance, the film centers around Snow and his bond with Lucy Gray as they navigate the 10th iteration of the games.

A new Hunger Games film is coming soon, meaning new tributes are being chosen to fight to the death for their districts. In Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the story takes us back to a time before Katniss Everdeen volunteered and when a young Coriolanus Snow is not yet the president of Panem. Before the movie is released, our website is excited to share exclusive images and provide a guide to the key tributes and how they connect to the characters we already know.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set 64 years before the original Hunger Games and is based on Suzanne Collins' prequel novel from 2020. Directed by Francis Lawrence, who also directed the previous films, the movie promises the same mix of action, drama, and romance. As Panem prepares for the 10th Hunger Games, the focus is primarily on Snow and his life outside of the arena. This means less time with the tributes from each district, but the ones that are featured have interesting connections to the characters from the original films and are fascinating in their own right.

District 12 - Lucy Gray Baird (Succeeded by Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch)

Despite being the most impoverished district in Panem, District 12 has defied the odds with Collins' films and books shedding light on the few triumphant winners. Katniss, the Mockingjay herself, rose to become an icon as the champion of this district in the original trilogy. Alongside her fellow tribute and love interest, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), they not only triumphed in the games but also managed to defy the system entirely with their mentor and 50th Hunger Games victor, Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson). The introduction of Songbirds and Snakes unveils a young Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), destined to become the first victor from District 12.

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District 4 - Coral (Succeeded By Finnick)

remained at the same position:

The new film is equally about her and Snow. Aspiring to restore the honor of the once-prestigious Snow family, Coriolanus assumes the role of her mentor but eventually becomes enamored by her charm and recognizes her immense potential. As their bond deepens, they will collaborate to ensure she is prepared to face the toughest competition that lies ahead for her. However, it is evident that she is distinct from the champions who would follow in her footsteps. Being a member of the musical troupe The Covey, her allure is effortless and she is a true performer, adept at manipulating those around her while openly defying the capitol's authority. Zegler burst onto the scene in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story and has since garnered significant leading roles, including Shazam! Fury of the Gods earlier this year, as well as upcoming projects such as the live-action remake of Snow White and the star-studded animated feature Spellbound.

District 4 - Coral (Succeeded By Finnick)

A determined and skilled fighter named Coral, armed with a trident, is introduced through a new image. She hails from District 4, a fishing-focused area, and has been trained in fishing and utilizing the hunting tool from a young age. Coral forms a strong alliance with her fellow tribute Mizzen from District 4 and Tanner from District 10. Guiding her through the games is Festus Creed, a member of Coriolanus's inner circle. Coral's performance in The Annual Hunger Games is expected to be impressive, as she is known to be ruthless and focused on her goals. Additionally, Coral has previously appeared in Gareth Edwards's The Creator.

Years later, Finnick Odair, who became the youngest ever to win The Hunger Games at the age of 14, participates in the 65th edition of the games. Unlike Coral, Finnick is charming and personable to everyone, which made him a fan favorite. He is highly skilled in combat and demonstrates his abilities in each competition he joins. However, his life is tragically cut short during the Second Rebellion, marking the end of The Hunger Games.

District 11 - Dill (Succeeded By Rue)

Dill (Luna Steeples), a tribute from District 11 in the 10th Hunger Games, presents a stark contrast to her fellow competitors. Judging by her image, it is evident that she has faced unfortunate circumstances. Afflicted by Tuberculosis, she already enters the arena in a weakened state, accompanied by a persistent cough. While the other tributes exude defiance and readiness to fight, Dill's frailty serves as a haunting reminder of the games' cruelty. Aamer Husain portrays her mentor, Felix Ravinstill. Notably, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes marks Luna Steeples' debut in the world of feature acting.

Similarly, Rue (Amandla Stenberg), her counterpart from the original Hunger Games, serves as a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of the Capitol's games. Rue and Katniss develop a strong bond due to the young age of the District 11 tribute. At only 12 years old, the same age as Katniss's sister Primrose (Willow Shields), Rue proves to be a valuable ally due to her exceptional climbing, foraging, and plant knowledge skills. Witnessing Rue's brutal demise at the hands of Marvel (Jack Quaid) deeply affects both Katniss and the entire District 11 community, who are enraged by the fact that such a young competitor could be sentenced to death.

District 11 - Reaper (Succeeded By Thresh)

District 11's male tribute, Reaper (Dimitri Abold), immediately establishes himself as one of the most formidable characters in the 10th Hunger Games. He stands tall and strong, impeccably dressed, escorted by a Peacekeeper. Reaper is fiercely protective of his fellow tribute, Dill, recognizing her vulnerability and unlikelihood of survival alone. Trained by the popular Academy student Clemensia Dovecote, Reaper wields a long knife as his weapon of choice. His experience from living in the agriculture district will undoubtedly contribute to his strength and skills during the games. Fans of the Netflix show Warrior Nun may recognize Abold from his appearances in four episodes, as well as Prime Video's Love Addicts.

In the 74th Hunger Games, Reaper is succeeded by Thresh (Dayo Okeniyi), who also forms a close bond with his District 11 partner, Rue. Like Reaper, Thresh possesses an imposing figure and exceptional skills, making him a force to be reckoned with in combat. However, he is also profoundly compassionate and kind-hearted. Thresh develops a deep respect for Katniss after she aligns herself with Rue, even saving Katniss's life by eliminating the sadistic Clove. Though they only meet briefly, Thresh's honor and care for others leave a lasting impact on Katniss and the audience. Whether Reaper will adopt the same solitary nature under pressure remains uncertain.

District 7 - Lamina (Succeeded By Johanna)

Introducing Lamina (Irene Böhm) from District 7, renowned for its abundant forests and paper production. Lamina's attire in the final image perfectly mirrors her upbringing, and her proficiency with the district's emblematic weapon, the ax, comes as no surprise. A skilled climber, Lamina poses a nimble threat to Lucy Gray as she defies the odds and strives for victory. Navigating the treacherous Games alongside her is the enigmatic Pliny Harrington (Ayomide Adegun), a challenging mentor who adds an intriguing dynamic to the story. Notably, this marks Böhm's debut in a feature film, following her notable role in the acclaimed German television series Babylon Berlin.

Johanna Mason (played by Jena Malone) is Katniss and Peeta's fellow tribute who manages to survive the Capitol's Hunger Games, along with Katniss. She becomes the victor of the 71st iteration and is later chosen to participate in the Third Quarter Quell. However, Johanna secretly plans to join a rebellion against President Snow's cruel regime. Like Lamina, she is skilled with an axe and uses her cleverness and cruelty to navigate the games. Although it takes time for Katniss to warm up to her, Johanna ultimately becomes a close friend and protector during the 75th Games.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released in theaters on November 17 in the U.S. For a detailed guide on what to expect in this prequel film, read our comprehensive article. Pre-order your tickets for AMC theaters below.

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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Experience the prequel to The Hunger Games, taking place 64 years before Katniss Everdeen's story. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes delves into the early life of Coriolanus Snow, the future tyrannical President of Panem. Coriolanus, struggling to save his once-proud and now-failing Snow family, reluctantly becomes a mentor to Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12. As Lucy Gray's charm captivates the people of Panem, Coriolanus sees an opportunity to change their destinies. Balancing on the edge of good and evil, Coriolanus races against time to survive and reveal whether he will become a symbol of hope or a symbol of oppression.

The movie is set to release on November 17, 2023, directed by Francis Lawrence. The cast includes Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Viola Davis, Tom Blyth, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Burn Gorman, and Fionnula Flanagan. It is rated PG-13 and falls under the main genre of Sci-Fi.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the upcoming release of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." The prequel film is set 64 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy and will explore the origins of the brutal competition. I am particularly interested in seeing how the film will portray the early days of Coriolanus Snow, who eventually becomes the tyrannical president of Panem. The exclusive images released so far offer a glimpse at the fierce and unforgettable tributes who will be competing in the 10th Hunger Games. I am eager to learn more about their stories and how they will shape the events of the film.

The Hunger Games series has always been a powerful and thought-provoking story about the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of fighting for freedom. I believe that the prequel film will continue this tradition and offer a new perspective on the world of Panem. I am also excited to see how the film will explore the themes of love, loss, and sacrifice. The Hunger Games series has always been a story about the human spirit, and I believe that the prequel film will continue this tradition.