Jennifer Lawrence passes the torch to the new leading actress of Hunger Games
Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' Rachel Zegler humorously shares Jennifer Lawrence's torch-passing moment, adding excitement to Hunger Games prequel
Rachel Zegler from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes recently shared a funny anecdote about passing the torch with Hunger Games' iconic star Jennifer Lawrence.
The film is an adaptation of Suzanne Collins' work and depicts the story of a young Coriolanus Snow who takes on the role of mentor for Lucy Gray Baird, the District 12 tribute chosen for the 10th Hunger Games.
As the movie is set many years prior to the events of the original Hunger Games franchise, none of the original cast members will be featured. However, Rachel Zegler, the star of Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, shared a fascinating encounter she had with Jennifer Lawrence, the lead actress in the Hunger Games series.
Lawrence wanted to jokingly strangle Zegler for prequel role
While promoting The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Zegler, who portrays Lucy Gray, opened up about her encounter with Lawrence during Paris Fashion Week and shared how the veteran actress aimed to pass on the Hunger Games legacy in a remarkably distinctive manner.
"We attended the Dior show during Paris Fashion Week just a few weeks ago," shared Zegler during her appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. "I didn't want to come across as strange. I was merely preparing myself mentally to approach her. She was incredibly kind."
Clarkson then played a video of the duo sharing laughter at the event. When questioned about the reason behind their amusement, Zegler clarified, "In that particular clip, [Jennifer] was jokingly suggesting, 'Let's take another picture where I pretend to strangle you and proclaim that you'll never steal my role!' And that's exactly what I was hoping for from her."
The character of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games franchise, played by Lawrence, not only defined the YA dystopian genre but also became a pivotal role in Lawrence's career.
While the characters of Lawrence and Zegler originated from the same district in the films, director Francis Lawrence, who helmed all the Hunger Games movies, including the prequel, elucidated their stark differences.
In an interview with Empire magazine, Lawrence clarified, "Katniss was an introvert and a survivor. She possessed a subdued demeanor and could even be described as asexual. On the other hand, Lucy Gray exudes a completely contrasting personality. She openly embraces her sexuality and is a natural performer. She thrives in crowds, adept at captivating and manipulating people."
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is now in cinemas. Check out our other Hunger Games coverage below:
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of The Hunger Games series, I'm thrilled to see the torch being passed to a new leading actress in the prequel, Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Rachel Zegler's humorous anecdote about her encounter with Jennifer Lawrence during Paris Fashion Week perfectly captures the excitement and anticipation surrounding this new chapter in the franchise. Lawrence's playful suggestion to strangle Zegler and proclaim that she'll never steal her role is both hilarious and heartwarming, and it speaks to the strong bond that exists between these two actresses.
Zegler's portrayal of Lucy Gray Baird is sure to bring a fresh and unique perspective to the Hunger Games universe. In contrast to Katniss Everdeen, who was an introvert and a survivor, Lucy Gray is an extrovert who embraces her sexuality and is a natural performer. This contrast will be fascinating to explore, and I can't wait to see how Zegler brings Lucy Gray to life on the big screen.
