The Untold Chronicles of Power and Deception: Unveiling the Intriguing 'Hunger Games' Prequel Unveiling Young President Snow
The highly anticipated 'Hunger Games' prequel, 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,' featuring a young President Snow, is set to release in November 2023 Get ready for an enthralling story, new characters, and a deeper understanding of the dystopian world
President Snow, the beloved villain of Hunger Games fans, is set to have his own backstory movie. Author Suzanne Collins expressed her delight in returning to Lionsgate, the cinematic home of The Hunger Games, with this new book. She praised Lionsgate for their respectful treatment of the source material and their incredible team both in front of and behind the camera.
Collins, the creator of the hugely successful Hunger Games series, has written a prequel novel that delves into the backstory of President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland in the original movies. The book, titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, was published in May 2020. It follows the journey of an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow as he takes on the role of a mentor for the first time in Panem's 10th annual Hunger Games. Snow is paired with Lucy Gray Baird, an underdog from District 12, as he seeks his chance for glory and wealth.
In a statement from 2020, Collins expressed her joy in reuniting with producer Nina Jacobson, director Francis Lawrence, and screenwriter Michael Arndt to bring the novel to life on the big screen. She looks forward to collaborating with them and the team at Lionsgate as they bring The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes to theaters worldwide.
The forthcoming adaption remains largely undisclosed, however, it is set to occur over 60 years prior to the events depicted in "The Hunger Games." In the initial film, Sutherland's character, Snow, assumes the role of the nation's president and oversees the Games. The four-part film series premiered in 2012, featuring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, and Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman.
Hutcherson revealed to We in September 2020 that the cast had engaged in discussions about the characters' potential futures on set. He mentioned the idea of exploring an older version of Peeta and Katniss, who have a child and face a new rebellion that arises years later.
He expressed, "I wish to believe that they are leading a joyful life and that the world is harmonious and fair. However, history has a tendency to repeat itself. Consequently, I foresee the possibility of further disturbances occurring." Despite his willingness to participate in the film again, the actor from "Bridge to Terabithia" revealed that he had not yet been contacted about the potential for a cameo in "Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes."
Scroll below for everything we know so far about the latest Hunger Games movie:
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‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’: Everything to Know About the ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Starring Young President Snow
Content: President Snow, the infamous antagonist of the Hunger Games franchise, is set to have his own prequel film. Author Suzanne Collins expressed her excitement about Lionsgate being the cinematic home for The Hunger Games and returning to collaborate with them on this new book. She praised Lionsgate for their respectful treatment of the source material and their ability to assemble an exceptional team for the production.
Collins, the creator of the popular Hunger Games franchise, wrote a prequel novel that delves into the backstory of President Snow (portrayed by Donald Sutherland in the original movies). Published in May 2020, the book, titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, follows an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow as he prepares to mentor a tribute in Panem's 10th annual Hunger Games. Snow, driven by his desire for glory and wealth, is assigned to mentor District 12's underdog, Lucy Gray Baird. Collins expressed her excitement about reuniting with producer Nina Jacobson, director Francis Lawrence, and screenwriter Michael Arndt to adapt the novel into a film. She looks forward to collaborating with them and the Lionsgate team as they bring The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes to theaters worldwide.
Few details have been revealed about the upcoming adaption, but it is confirmed to take place over 60 years before the events of "The Hunger Games." In the original film, Sutherland portrayed President Snow who oversaw the Games. The franchise, consisting of four films, premiered in 2012 and featured an ensemble cast including Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, and Stanley Tucci.
Hutcherson shared during an exclusive interview with "We" in September 2020 that the cast had discussed the possibility of where their characters would end up. They explored ideas such as an older Katniss and Peeta with a child, and the potential for a new rebellion to occur ten years later.
He stated that he hopes and believes that they are living happily in an equal and beautiful world. However, he acknowledges that history tends to repeat itself, so he anticipates the possibility of more unrest in the future.
Although he would be eager to play his role again, the actor from "Bridge to Terabithia" mentioned that he has not been contacted about a potential cameo in "Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes."
Scroll below for everything we know so far about the latest Hunger Games movie:
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Is There a Poster for 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'?
On March 25, 2023, a captivating poster showcasing the legendary mockingjay engaging in a riveting confrontation with a formidable serpent was unveiled, marking a significant milestone just two days after the 11th anniversary of the debut of the inaugural Hunger Games film.
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What’s It About?
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a film adaptation based on Collins' prequel novel with the same title. It faithfully depicts the original plot, introducing us to Snow's responsibility of mentoring a Games contestant, similar to how Haymitch supports Katniss and Peeta in later years.
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Who’s the Main Character?
The book — and its film adaptation — focus on a younger version of Snow long before he becomes the president of the dystopian-era country. Casting has yet to be announced.
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Who Is Playing Young Coriolanus Snow?
Lionsgate announced that Tom Blyth was cast in the leading role in May 2022. The actor, born in 1995, is primarily known for his role on Epix's Western series Billy the Kid.
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When Was the Movie Greenlit?
Lionsgate confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter in April 2020 that a movie adaptation was already in the works, one month before the novel was even published.
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Who Is Directing?
Francis Lawrence, who helmed both parts of Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Hunger Games: Mockingjay, will be back as the director for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
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Is There a Release Date?
The studio revealed at CinemaCon in May 2022 that the upcoming film will hit theaters on November 23, 2023.
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Who Is Playing Lucy Gray Baird?
In May 2022, it was confirmed that Rachel Zegler will star in the prequel series.
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Is There a Trailer?
A sneak peek of the movie was unveiled during the 2022 MTV Movie and TV Awards, teasing audiences with the promise of unraveling the mystery between the "songbirds" and the "snakes" when the highly anticipated film hits theaters in November 2023.
In April 2023, fans received their initial extended preview of the thrilling film. The trailer, which lasted nearly three minutes, showcased snippets of Blyth, Zegler, and the entire ensemble, along with pivotal moments that molded Coriolanus Snow into the despised Panem president, adored for his antagonistic nature. Closing the trailer, a chilling voiceover by Sutherland, reprising his role from the original trilogy, captures Snow's foreboding declaration: "It is our deepest passions that ultimately lead to our demise."
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Who Are the New Tributes and Mentors?
On June 14, 2022, Deadline announced the initial lineup of tribute and mentor characters for the prequel. Bobbin, a tribute hailing from District 8, will be portrayed by Knox Gibson, while Jerome Lance will take on the role of Marcus, the tribute from District 2. District 4's tribute, Coral, will be played by Mackenzie Lansing. As for the mentors, Agmer Husain will assume the role of Felix Ravinstill, a mentor from District 11. Joining him is Ashley Liao, who will portray Clemensia Dovecote, one of Blyth's closest friends and also a mentor from District 11.
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A Friend Turned Enemy?
Adding to the pantheon of cast members for the anticipated 2022 release, West Side Story lead and Zegler's real-life romantic partner, Josh Andrés Rivera, has been enlisted as a citizen of the dystopian nation of Panem. Whetting our appetite, the official Hunger Games Instagram hinted at Rivera's portrayal as Sejanus Plinth, a former tribute hailing from District 2, who had once shared a profound camaraderie with Snow.
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Who’s Playing Tigris Snow?
In a statement released in June 2022, Lionsgate revealed that Hunter Schafer from the TV show Euphoria would be joining the highly anticipated sequel. Schafer will be portraying Tigris, the cousin and confidant of Coriolanus Snow. Tigris plays a significant role in the book series by offering guidance to the future president of Panem in his moral dilemmas.
Tigris, a renowned Capitol stylist, was previously played by Eugenie Bondurant in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 2.
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Who’s Playing Lucky Flickerman?
According to a July 2022 Deadline report, Jason Schwartzman will portray Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman, the emcee for the 10th Games in the prequel. Schwartzman's character is an ancestor of Caesar Flickerman, originally portrayed by Stanley Tucci in the original films.
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Who Will Peter Dinklage Play in the 'Hunger Games' Prequel?
In July 2022, Lionsgate officially announced the casting of the esteemed Game of Thrones alum as Casca Highbottom, who will be portraying the role of Dean Highbottom, the head of the Academy. "Dean Highbottom holds tremendous significance in Snow's journey," Lawrence expressed in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "As the stern and vengeful figure overseeing the games, he holds the authority to dictate Coriolanus's destiny. I am absolutely ecstatic that Peter will be bringing this character to life."
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Who Is the Enemy?
In August 2022, Viola Davis was cast in the role of Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the head gamemaker of the 10th annual Hunger Games.
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Is Filming Still Underway?
In October 2022, Liao and Blyth — who is portraying young Snow — were spotted filming a scene for the sci-fi adventure in Berlin Mitte, Germany.
Credit: Courtesy of Rachel Zegler/Twitter
Has Filming Concluded?
“I have loved every second and that’s a wrap,” Zegler tweeted in November 2022, confirming she finished shooting The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
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Will Jennifer Lawrence Make a Cameo?
In June 2023, during an episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Andy Cohen addressed a question from a fan. The question inquired about a rumor surrounding the original Hunger Games star and her potential involvement in the prequel as Katniss' grandmother.
"Oh, because I'm 49 in Hollywood years, right?" Lawrence jokingly remarked, alluding to the fact that the spinoff occurs 49 years prior to the events depicted in the initial Hunger Games movie.
The acclaimed actress, known for her role in No Hard Feelings, further clarified, "No, that's incorrect," dismissing any speculation about her appearing in the film.
