Finally, eight years after The Hunger Games: Mockingjay ended the trilogy, the franchise returns focusing on the antagonist of the original series: Coriolanus Snow. The upcoming prequel goes back 64 years before Katniss Everdeen even existed. The young Coriolanus is the last hope of his failing lineage, but his livelihood is threatened so he reluctantly mentors Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from the impoverished District 12. Snow slowly falls for the charming beauty and unites with Lucy Gray to shift their fates and turn their odds in their favor. The story of the Hunger Games itself has always been a...
- 11/22/2023
- by Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
- TVovermind.com
Take a look at more footage from "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes", directed by Francis Lawrence, starring Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis, and Peter Dinklage, now playing in theaters:
"...young 'Coriolanus' (Blyth) is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud 'Snow' family that has fallen from grace in a post-war 'Capitol.' With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor ' Lucy Gray Baird' (Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished 'District 12'.
"But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of 'Panem', Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor.
"Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive...
"...and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.
"...young 'Coriolanus' (Blyth) is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud 'Snow' family that has fallen from grace in a post-war 'Capitol.' With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor ' Lucy Gray Baird' (Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished 'District 12'.
"But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of 'Panem', Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor.
"Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive...
"...and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.
- 11/21/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Warning: This podcast contains spoilers about the ending of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
“In 2015, we thought she was done.”
That’s what filmmaker Francis Lawrence thought about the finale of the $3 billion-plus grossing The Hunger Games franchise with Mockingjay Part 2, that is until author Suzanne Collins gave him and series pic producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson a heads up in late 2019 that a prequel manuscript set 64 years before the original film, and focusing in on the origin story of main baddie Coriolanus Snow, was coming their way.
Director Francis Lawrence in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
But rather than just more bows and arrows and fierce arena battles, there was a whole other sublime element to the prequel and that was in its country music underpinnings, taking inspiration from the early turn-of-the-century Bluegrass and folksy sounds that draw their lineage from Scotland,...
“In 2015, we thought she was done.”
That’s what filmmaker Francis Lawrence thought about the finale of the $3 billion-plus grossing The Hunger Games franchise with Mockingjay Part 2, that is until author Suzanne Collins gave him and series pic producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson a heads up in late 2019 that a prequel manuscript set 64 years before the original film, and focusing in on the origin story of main baddie Coriolanus Snow, was coming their way.
Director Francis Lawrence in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
But rather than just more bows and arrows and fierce arena battles, there was a whole other sublime element to the prequel and that was in its country music underpinnings, taking inspiration from the early turn-of-the-century Bluegrass and folksy sounds that draw their lineage from Scotland,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Actress Rachel Zegler didn’t see any pressure to stepping into the world of author Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games” prequel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” And she certainly could have, with actress Jennifer Lawrence crafting an iconic character in Katniss Everdeen over a series of four movies. But for Zegler, playing District 12’s Lucy Gray Baird, who is inducted into the first ever Hunger Games meant she didn’t have to fill big shoes, especially in contrast to co-star Tom Blyth, playing Panem President Coriolanus Snow.
“What I really love is Suzanne subverted expectations a bit with this woman from District 12,” Zegler told TheWrap. “So you expect her to be another Katniss because what other kind of female archetype[slash]character could keep Coriolanus haunted for 64, plus, years?” Those subverted expectations included, for Zegler, a character who is mercurial, enigmatic and who “floats above social norms.”
“My ticket in was her voice,...
“What I really love is Suzanne subverted expectations a bit with this woman from District 12,” Zegler told TheWrap. “So you expect her to be another Katniss because what other kind of female archetype[slash]character could keep Coriolanus haunted for 64, plus, years?” Those subverted expectations included, for Zegler, a character who is mercurial, enigmatic and who “floats above social norms.”
“My ticket in was her voice,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
Stars: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Fionnula Flanagan, Hunter Schafer, Ashley Liao, Joshua Kantara, Amélie Hoeferle, Hunter Schafer | Written by Michael Lesslie, Michael Arndt | Directed by Francis Lawrence
It’s been eight years since we last visited the world of Panem. Now the world spans to five films and this time we’re sent back over 60 years to see the 10th annual Hunger Games and the rise of Coriolanus Snow. This time Snow is played by newcomer Tom Blyth, who has to carry the runtime of the film all by himself. He’s joined for the most part by Rachel Zegler, who plays Lucy Gray.
The two leads carry the film effortlessly, Tom Blyth in particular does a fantastic job of giving complexity to Snow, showcasing a flawed but ambitious character as we slowly see his loss of humanity grow on screen. The film, unlike its predecessors,...
It’s been eight years since we last visited the world of Panem. Now the world spans to five films and this time we’re sent back over 60 years to see the 10th annual Hunger Games and the rise of Coriolanus Snow. This time Snow is played by newcomer Tom Blyth, who has to carry the runtime of the film all by himself. He’s joined for the most part by Rachel Zegler, who plays Lucy Gray.
The two leads carry the film effortlessly, Tom Blyth in particular does a fantastic job of giving complexity to Snow, showcasing a flawed but ambitious character as we slowly see his loss of humanity grow on screen. The film, unlike its predecessors,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Alex Ginnelly
- Nerdly
This post contains spoilers for "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."
"The Hunger Games" prequel story "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" flips the perspective of the original trilogy, this time looking outwards at the districts of Panem from the viewpoint of the Capitol. Specifically, it's the story of the future president and over-arching villain of "The Hunger Games," Coriolanus Snow -- with Tom Blyth playing an 18-year-old version of the character portrayed by Donald Sutherland in the previous films.
Though President Snow was at the very height of the Capitol's privileged elite, "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" reveals that Coriolanus is no stronger to hard times. In the film's opening sequence, set during the Rebellion, a five-year-old Coriolanus is scrounging for scraps of food in the street when he witnesses a starving neighbor cannibalizing a dead body to stay alive. And even a decade after the Capitol retakes control,...
"The Hunger Games" prequel story "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" flips the perspective of the original trilogy, this time looking outwards at the districts of Panem from the viewpoint of the Capitol. Specifically, it's the story of the future president and over-arching villain of "The Hunger Games," Coriolanus Snow -- with Tom Blyth playing an 18-year-old version of the character portrayed by Donald Sutherland in the previous films.
Though President Snow was at the very height of the Capitol's privileged elite, "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" reveals that Coriolanus is no stronger to hard times. In the film's opening sequence, set during the Rebellion, a five-year-old Coriolanus is scrounging for scraps of food in the street when he witnesses a starving neighbor cannibalizing a dead body to stay alive. And even a decade after the Capitol retakes control,...
- 11/19/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Do external influences like environment and situations factor more in shaping a person’s entire worldview? Or is it the inherent willingness to give in to a side—freedom of choice—that plays the decisive role? The prequel feature of the Hunger Games trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, adapted from the novel of the same name written by Suzanne Collins, asks these age-old questions as it traces back the origins of Coriolanus Snow, the former President of Panem whose reign of tyranny was ended by ‘Mockingjay’ Katniss Everdeen and her comrades.
The key attractions of the main Hunger Games series were how the central class conflict intrigue was showcased through interesting characters, theatrical flair, unique dystopian world-building, and the brutal yet vivid open-world battle royale signifying the titular game. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, however, misses out on most of these aspects in its effort to jam-pack...
The key attractions of the main Hunger Games series were how the central class conflict intrigue was showcased through interesting characters, theatrical flair, unique dystopian world-building, and the brutal yet vivid open-world battle royale signifying the titular game. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, however, misses out on most of these aspects in its effort to jam-pack...
- 11/19/2023
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
The first installment in the “Hunger Games” book series was published in 2008 and followed by the first film adaptation in March 2012. Over a decade later, the franchise has been revived with the prequel film “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” and all the original fans of the series are grown up—including actress Hunter Schafer, who stars as Tigris in the latest film, and who was “obsessed” with the original series.
While speaking with Jimmy Fallon Friday night, Schafer revealed that her “Hunger Games” fandom ran deep and that as a child, she even dressed as someone from the Capitol for Halloween one year — complete with her own self-designed costume.
Fallon told Schafer that it’s “cool” to be back in the studio speaking to actors about movies because “you’ve been a fan of ‘The Hunger Games’ since you were a kid.”
“Oh, well, I mean, for Halloween, I...
While speaking with Jimmy Fallon Friday night, Schafer revealed that her “Hunger Games” fandom ran deep and that as a child, she even dressed as someone from the Capitol for Halloween one year — complete with her own self-designed costume.
Fallon told Schafer that it’s “cool” to be back in the studio speaking to actors about movies because “you’ve been a fan of ‘The Hunger Games’ since you were a kid.”
“Oh, well, I mean, for Halloween, I...
- 11/18/2023
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
This article contains spoilers for "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes."
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" takes the "Star Wars" approach in following a massively successful series of movies by going back in time and telling the story of the villain. Except, where Darth Vader was a fascinating and prominent threat in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, Coriolanus Snow wasn't exactly a force to be reckoned with in the "Hunger Games" series (nor a cool and layered character that begged to have their backstory revealed).
Yet, somehow, the "Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" film adaptation manages to be an exciting return to this PG-13 battle royale, complete with a plot that's almost unpredictable. It's not that it does something vastly different and fresh, but because it stays so close to retelling the original story, it makes what comes after more impactful and inevitable.
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" takes the "Star Wars" approach in following a massively successful series of movies by going back in time and telling the story of the villain. Except, where Darth Vader was a fascinating and prominent threat in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, Coriolanus Snow wasn't exactly a force to be reckoned with in the "Hunger Games" series (nor a cool and layered character that begged to have their backstory revealed).
Yet, somehow, the "Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" film adaptation manages to be an exciting return to this PG-13 battle royale, complete with a plot that's almost unpredictable. It's not that it does something vastly different and fresh, but because it stays so close to retelling the original story, it makes what comes after more impactful and inevitable.
- 11/18/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
“You may know me from other stuff, but I don’t use a lot of colors, except when necessary,” says renowned costume designer Trish Summerville.
So, when it came to designing the main outfit worn by Rachel Zegler’s Lucy Gray in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” Summerville, whose credits include “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “Mank” and “Gone Girl,” had to wrap her head around “a rainbow dress with ruffles and things she keeps in her pockets.”
The rainbow dress was one of the first outfits Summerville tackled. But after several illustrations, she still didn’t feel 100% happy with what was in front of her. So, she consulted director Francis Lawrence. “That’s the beauty about reading and having books is you can conjure up your imagery in your head for each reader as to what it should be. It was a lot of...
So, when it came to designing the main outfit worn by Rachel Zegler’s Lucy Gray in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” Summerville, whose credits include “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “Mank” and “Gone Girl,” had to wrap her head around “a rainbow dress with ruffles and things she keeps in her pockets.”
The rainbow dress was one of the first outfits Summerville tackled. But after several illustrations, she still didn’t feel 100% happy with what was in front of her. So, she consulted director Francis Lawrence. “That’s the beauty about reading and having books is you can conjure up your imagery in your head for each reader as to what it should be. It was a lot of...
- 11/18/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
“Hunger Games” prequel film “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is full of references to the four films that come after it, but the biggest connection between this movie and those is musical.
As sourced in Suzanne Collins’ prequel novel, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) wrote “The Hanging Tree” inspired by historical events in District 12, which she and Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) both witnessed. The song takes on more meaning when imbued with the backstory of Panem and how President Snow came to be as the Hunger Games also developed.
“Hunger Games” fans will remember it’s a song that Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen sings in “Mockingjay.” Producer Nina Jacobson, who has produced all the “Hunger Games” movies, told TheWrap that music is key to this franchise.
“What I loved was that this adaptation really made me think about how critical music has always been to these movies. I...
As sourced in Suzanne Collins’ prequel novel, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) wrote “The Hanging Tree” inspired by historical events in District 12, which she and Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) both witnessed. The song takes on more meaning when imbued with the backstory of Panem and how President Snow came to be as the Hunger Games also developed.
“Hunger Games” fans will remember it’s a song that Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen sings in “Mockingjay.” Producer Nina Jacobson, who has produced all the “Hunger Games” movies, told TheWrap that music is key to this franchise.
“What I loved was that this adaptation really made me think about how critical music has always been to these movies. I...
- 11/17/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Rachel Zegler is the new face of the “Hunger Games” franchise thanks to her role as Lucy Gray Baird in the prequel “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” During a recent visit to “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Zegler recalled what it was like meeting Jennifer Lawrence for the first time. Lawrence headlined the original four “Hunger Games” films as Katniss Everdeen, a role that turned the Oscar-winner into a global superstar.
“We were at Paris Fashion Week for the Dior show only a couple weeks ago,” Zegler said about her first encounter with Lawrence. “I didn’t want to be weird. I was just kind of psyching myself up to talk to her. She was so unbelievably kind.”
Clarkson threw to a clip from the event in which Zegler and Lawrence embraced while posing for photos together. Zegler could be seen laughing. What was so funny?
“In that clip,...
“We were at Paris Fashion Week for the Dior show only a couple weeks ago,” Zegler said about her first encounter with Lawrence. “I didn’t want to be weird. I was just kind of psyching myself up to talk to her. She was so unbelievably kind.”
Clarkson threw to a clip from the event in which Zegler and Lawrence embraced while posing for photos together. Zegler could be seen laughing. What was so funny?
“In that clip,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
This article contains major The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes spoilers.
What ever happened to Lucy Gray?
It is a question that haunted Coriolanus Snow at the end of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and which is likely to haunt him still when, as an old man with absolute power, he sees Katniss wear a dress that catches fire. We suspect some audiences will wonder too about the fate of Lucy Gray Baird, who is ambiguously played by Rachel Zegler. Of course that is the point.
As Peter Dinklage’s self-loathing Dean Casca Highbottom taunts young Corio (an also eerily haunting Tom Blyth), it is the mysteries we cannot solve which drive us mad. For Casca, that mystery is revealed to be finding a way to make the Hunger Games end. He invented the concept of the Games as a cruel drape—a drunken answer to...
What ever happened to Lucy Gray?
It is a question that haunted Coriolanus Snow at the end of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and which is likely to haunt him still when, as an old man with absolute power, he sees Katniss wear a dress that catches fire. We suspect some audiences will wonder too about the fate of Lucy Gray Baird, who is ambiguously played by Rachel Zegler. Of course that is the point.
As Peter Dinklage’s self-loathing Dean Casca Highbottom taunts young Corio (an also eerily haunting Tom Blyth), it is the mysteries we cannot solve which drive us mad. For Casca, that mystery is revealed to be finding a way to make the Hunger Games end. He invented the concept of the Games as a cruel drape—a drunken answer to...
- 11/17/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Nearly a decade after the original series of film chronicling the story of Panem and the Hunger Games, the prequel story The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes attempts to breathe new life into a dormant franchise that ultimately should have been left to rest on its laurels.
Set sixty-four years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute to save her sister from certain death in the Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes tells the tale of a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) who is assigned to mentor tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) in the tenth session of the games. Snow, who comes from a once powerful family that has now fallen upon more lean financial times, sees his alliance with Lucy Gray as an opportunity to restore his family’s social and financial status.
Still in its relative infancy, the Games are...
Set sixty-four years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute to save her sister from certain death in the Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes tells the tale of a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) who is assigned to mentor tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) in the tenth session of the games. Snow, who comes from a once powerful family that has now fallen upon more lean financial times, sees his alliance with Lucy Gray as an opportunity to restore his family’s social and financial status.
Still in its relative infancy, the Games are...
- 11/17/2023
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
Take a look at more footage from "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes", directed by Francis Lawrence, starring Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis, and Peter Dinklage, opening in theaters November 17, 2023:
"...young 'Coriolanus' (Blyth) is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud 'Snow' family that has fallen from grace in a post-war 'Capitol.' With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor ' Lucy Gray Baird' (Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished 'District 12'.
"But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of 'Panem', Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor.
"Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive...
"...and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.
"...young 'Coriolanus' (Blyth) is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud 'Snow' family that has fallen from grace in a post-war 'Capitol.' With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor ' Lucy Gray Baird' (Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished 'District 12'.
"But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of 'Panem', Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor.
"Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive...
"...and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.
- 11/17/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is now in theaters and seeing as it’s the continuation of a major franchise, albeit a prequel, you might expect to see a post-credits scene after the movie.
Fans who are checking out the movie will likely want to know if they should stick around after the credits for an additional scene. Many movies these days, especially ones that are part of a franchise, will include extra footage at the end to tease future installments or to give audiences some bonus content.
So, do you need to stick around after The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
Keep reading to find out if you need to wait for a post-credits scene…
We can confirm that No, there is no post-credits scene during the movie The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, so feel free to leave...
Fans who are checking out the movie will likely want to know if they should stick around after the credits for an additional scene. Many movies these days, especially ones that are part of a franchise, will include extra footage at the end to tease future installments or to give audiences some bonus content.
So, do you need to stick around after The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
Keep reading to find out if you need to wait for a post-credits scene…
We can confirm that No, there is no post-credits scene during the movie The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, so feel free to leave...
- 11/16/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
This article contains major spoilers for "The Hunger Games: the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes."
Welcome to the 10th annual Hunger Games! The methods are cruder (and crueler), the batch of unwilling participants are much less marketable, and the masses haven't been successfully distracted by bread and circuses just yet. When "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" begins only a decade after the First Rebellion tore Panem apart, over 60 years before the events of the first "The Hunger Games," we find the country in a very different place than last we saw in the original movies. Although the government bears all the hallmarks of a dystopian, post-apocalyptic hellhole, power hasn't yet been consolidated under the office of a single figurehead -- namely, one Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), future President of Panem.
Instead, the Francis Lawrence-directed prequel tells a much less refined story about an authoritarian regime...
Welcome to the 10th annual Hunger Games! The methods are cruder (and crueler), the batch of unwilling participants are much less marketable, and the masses haven't been successfully distracted by bread and circuses just yet. When "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" begins only a decade after the First Rebellion tore Panem apart, over 60 years before the events of the first "The Hunger Games," we find the country in a very different place than last we saw in the original movies. Although the government bears all the hallmarks of a dystopian, post-apocalyptic hellhole, power hasn't yet been consolidated under the office of a single figurehead -- namely, one Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), future President of Panem.
Instead, the Francis Lawrence-directed prequel tells a much less refined story about an authoritarian regime...
- 11/16/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
The book The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, written by Suzanne Collins, has been adapted for the screen by director Francis Lawrence, alongside screenwriters Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt. The film delves into the chillingly formative years of Panem, a society not yet inured to the brutality of its central spectacle. This prequel, starkly contrasting its YA predecessors, morphs into a harrowing adult political thriller, unraveling the genesis of the Hunger Games with a disturbingly poignant lens — that is, when it can get out of its own way.
The film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman and Hunter Schafer.
The film starts during the dark days before the first Hunger Games. Two children, Coriolanus (Dexter Sol Ansell) and Tigris (Rosa Gotzler) are running for their lives in a snowy Panem. They arrive at the home of their grandmother and receive news that...
The film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman and Hunter Schafer.
The film starts during the dark days before the first Hunger Games. Two children, Coriolanus (Dexter Sol Ansell) and Tigris (Rosa Gotzler) are running for their lives in a snowy Panem. They arrive at the home of their grandmother and receive news that...
- 11/15/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Actress Rachel Zegler will be seen playing Lucy Gray Baird in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, says that the words that come into her mind about her character is ‘mercurial’ and ‘witty’.
Zegler said: “The words that come to my mind are ‘mercurial’ and ‘witty’. The way I approached Lucy Gray was that she’s only there for her family, her friends, and herself. That’s why her relationship with Coriolanus is so interesting.”
She added: “We’re led to believe, by the lyrics of her songs, that she’s been wronged by many people, particularly by men. So, she is hesitant to trust, and challenges Snow to rise to her level of intimidation.”
Further adding on, the actor also said: “Lucy Gray starts to see what it’s like to put someone else’s needs before her own, and she’s living with her whole heart.
Zegler said: “The words that come to my mind are ‘mercurial’ and ‘witty’. The way I approached Lucy Gray was that she’s only there for her family, her friends, and herself. That’s why her relationship with Coriolanus is so interesting.”
She added: “We’re led to believe, by the lyrics of her songs, that she’s been wronged by many people, particularly by men. So, she is hesitant to trust, and challenges Snow to rise to her level of intimidation.”
Further adding on, the actor also said: “Lucy Gray starts to see what it’s like to put someone else’s needs before her own, and she’s living with her whole heart.
- 11/15/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Actress Rachel Zegler will be seen playing Lucy Gray Baird in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, says that the words that come into her mind about her character is ‘mercurial’ and ‘witty’.
Zegler said: “The words that come to my mind are ‘mercurial’ and ‘witty’. The way I approached Lucy Gray was that she’s only there for her family, her friends, and herself. That’s why her relationship with Coriolanus is so interesting.”
She added: “We’re led to believe, by the lyrics of her songs, that she’s been wronged by many people, particularly by men. So, she is hesitant to trust, and challenges Snow to rise to her level of intimidation.”
Further adding on, the actor also said: “Lucy Gray starts to see what it’s like to put someone else’s needs before her own, and she’s living with her whole heart.
Zegler said: “The words that come to my mind are ‘mercurial’ and ‘witty’. The way I approached Lucy Gray was that she’s only there for her family, her friends, and herself. That’s why her relationship with Coriolanus is so interesting.”
She added: “We’re led to believe, by the lyrics of her songs, that she’s been wronged by many people, particularly by men. So, she is hesitant to trust, and challenges Snow to rise to her level of intimidation.”
Further adding on, the actor also said: “Lucy Gray starts to see what it’s like to put someone else’s needs before her own, and she’s living with her whole heart.
- 11/15/2023
- by Agency News Desk
It would’ve been so easy, and likely lucrative, for Lionsgate to craft a prequel to The Hunger Games that just let newcomer Tom Blyth, as young Coriolanus Snow, smolder his way through a forbidden romance with Rachel Zegler’s District 12 songstress Lucy Gray for two hours and call it a day. But nothing about Francis Lawrence’s The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is easy. Channeling Adam Driver more often than Donald Sutherland, Blyth’s version of Snow is a towering, asexual vulture of desperate ambitions, stemming from the character’s family flirting with complete bankruptcy and his education at a fascist prep school where graduation is dependent on what boils down to a school-wide game of Who Wants to Be a Eugenicist.
The school’s opioid-addicted headmaster, Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage), announces that graduation is dependent on mentoring a Hunger Games tribute in the fine art of public relations.
The school’s opioid-addicted headmaster, Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage), announces that graduation is dependent on mentoring a Hunger Games tribute in the fine art of public relations.
- 11/15/2023
- by Justin Clark
- Slant Magazine
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes might be dressed up like a prequel in its early roots story of villain-to-be Coriolanus Snow, and some might think that Rachel Zegler’s Lucy Gray Baird is just an early days Katniss from District 12.
However, those hasty generalizations would rob the film of its sublime uniqueness, for at its core this sci-fi political action thriller has the underpinnings of a sublime romantic country western musical, and when you finally see it, you’ll get what we mean.
Setting this Hunger Games by filmmaker Francis Lawrence apart from his last three with Jennifer Lawrence are the raw and rugged, rural Scottish and Irish influenced ballads sung by Rachel Zegler’s Lucy, who is a member of the Covey, a traveling musician group.
Beamed actor Tom Blyth about Lucy’s songs at the Los Angeles Premiere last night for the Lionsgate movie which opens on Nov.
However, those hasty generalizations would rob the film of its sublime uniqueness, for at its core this sci-fi political action thriller has the underpinnings of a sublime romantic country western musical, and when you finally see it, you’ll get what we mean.
Setting this Hunger Games by filmmaker Francis Lawrence apart from his last three with Jennifer Lawrence are the raw and rugged, rural Scottish and Irish influenced ballads sung by Rachel Zegler’s Lucy, who is a member of the Covey, a traveling musician group.
Beamed actor Tom Blyth about Lucy’s songs at the Los Angeles Premiere last night for the Lionsgate movie which opens on Nov.
- 11/14/2023
- by Katie Campione and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Olivia Rodrigo is contributing her music to the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes with “Can’t Catch Me Now.”
The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum attended the premiere of the film in L.A. as her music video also dropped.
The “Can’t Catch Me Now” video was directed by award-winning director Leonn Ward of Rsa’s Black Dog Films. This is the first time that Rodrigo contributes to a film’s soundtrack, a song she penned with producer Daniel Nigro who has been working with the singer-songwriter on her album Guts.
Rodrigo’s song will be part of the 17-track album that is being released on Nov. 17 and which will also include songs by star Rachel Zegler, Flatland Cavalry, Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell, Bella White and Charles Godwin.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is...
The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum attended the premiere of the film in L.A. as her music video also dropped.
The “Can’t Catch Me Now” video was directed by award-winning director Leonn Ward of Rsa’s Black Dog Films. This is the first time that Rodrigo contributes to a film’s soundtrack, a song she penned with producer Daniel Nigro who has been working with the singer-songwriter on her album Guts.
Rodrigo’s song will be part of the 17-track album that is being released on Nov. 17 and which will also include songs by star Rachel Zegler, Flatland Cavalry, Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell, Bella White and Charles Godwin.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is...
- 11/14/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
To celebrate the release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, we sat down with some of the cast and filmmakers of the new epic part of the saga that takes places decades before the original movies.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favour. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out...
The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favour. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out...
- 11/13/2023
- by Scott Davis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Actress Rachel Zegler was inspired by Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Joan Baez for her role in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’.
The singer/actress stars as Lucy Gray Baird in ‘The Hunger Games’ prequel and music plays a big part in the film because her character comes from a nomadic and musical tribe called the Covey – and Rachel has now explained where her inspiration came from, reports aceshowbiz.com.
“We channeled a bunch of people, Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to name a few. That was really the voice that we were trying to find. But getting to sing live is my bread and butter, that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life and so it was really nice to get to bring that skill to my peers on set,” she told Variety.
Jennifer Lawrence starred as Katniss Everdeen in...
The singer/actress stars as Lucy Gray Baird in ‘The Hunger Games’ prequel and music plays a big part in the film because her character comes from a nomadic and musical tribe called the Covey – and Rachel has now explained where her inspiration came from, reports aceshowbiz.com.
“We channeled a bunch of people, Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to name a few. That was really the voice that we were trying to find. But getting to sing live is my bread and butter, that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life and so it was really nice to get to bring that skill to my peers on set,” she told Variety.
Jennifer Lawrence starred as Katniss Everdeen in...
- 11/11/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Actress Rachel Zegler was inspired by Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Joan Baez for her role in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’.
The singer/actress stars as Lucy Gray Baird in ‘The Hunger Games’ prequel and music plays a big part in the film because her character comes from a nomadic and musical tribe called the Covey – and Rachel has now explained where her inspiration came from, reports aceshowbiz.com.
“We channeled a bunch of people, Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to name a few. That was really the voice that we were trying to find. But getting to sing live is my bread and butter, that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life and so it was really nice to get to bring that skill to my peers on set,” she told Variety.
Jennifer Lawrence starred as Katniss Everdeen in...
The singer/actress stars as Lucy Gray Baird in ‘The Hunger Games’ prequel and music plays a big part in the film because her character comes from a nomadic and musical tribe called the Covey – and Rachel has now explained where her inspiration came from, reports aceshowbiz.com.
“We channeled a bunch of people, Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to name a few. That was really the voice that we were trying to find. But getting to sing live is my bread and butter, that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life and so it was really nice to get to bring that skill to my peers on set,” she told Variety.
Jennifer Lawrence starred as Katniss Everdeen in...
- 11/11/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Rachel Zegler channeled Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Joan Baez for her role in 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'.The singer/actress plays Lucy Gray Baird in 'The Hunger Games' prequel and music plays a big part in the film because her character comes from a nomadic and musical tribe called the Covey - and Rachel has now explained where her inspiration came from.Speaking to Variety, she revealed: "We channeled a bunch of people: Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to name a few. That was really the voice that we were trying to find. But getting to sing live is my bread and butter, that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life and so it was really nice to get to bring that skill to my peers on set."Jennifer Lawrence starred as Katniss Everdeen in four previous installments in 'The Hunger Games' series,...
- 11/10/2023
- by Louise Mary Randell
- Bang Showbiz
With the SAG-AFTRA strike over the lights have been firmly turned back on for the World Premiere of The Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel to Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, in fair old London town. Directed by Francis Lawrence, Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Jason Schwartzman, Max Raphael and Viola Davis star.
The Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released on the 17th of November, 2023. Linda Marric and Ethan Hart were on the red carpet, here are their interviews.
The Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Premiere Interviews
Plot:
The movie follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray...
The Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released on the 17th of November, 2023. Linda Marric and Ethan Hart were on the red carpet, here are their interviews.
The Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Premiere Interviews
Plot:
The movie follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray...
- 11/9/2023
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
As evidenced in its title, music plays a big part in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”
In the prequel to the original trilogy, “West Side Story” star Rachel Zegler portrays Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12 for the 10th annual Hunger Games, who hails from a musical and nomadic people called the Covey. The film features Zegler singing several songs, including franchise favorite “The Hanging Tree.” Much of the music is folk-inspired, and Zegler sang each track live during filming. At the film’s London premiere — which came one day after SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative deal with the AMPTP to end the actors strike — Zegler told Variety who inspired her when it came to developing Lucy Gray’s voice.
“We channeled a bunch of people: Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to name a few. That was really the voice that we were trying to find,...
In the prequel to the original trilogy, “West Side Story” star Rachel Zegler portrays Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12 for the 10th annual Hunger Games, who hails from a musical and nomadic people called the Covey. The film features Zegler singing several songs, including franchise favorite “The Hanging Tree.” Much of the music is folk-inspired, and Zegler sang each track live during filming. At the film’s London premiere — which came one day after SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative deal with the AMPTP to end the actors strike — Zegler told Variety who inspired her when it came to developing Lucy Gray’s voice.
“We channeled a bunch of people: Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to name a few. That was really the voice that we were trying to find,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Take a look at more footage from "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes", directed by Francis Lawrence, starring Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis, and Peter Dinklage, opening in theaters November 17, 2023:
"...young 'Coriolanus' (Blyth) is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud 'Snow' family that has fallen from grace in a post-war 'Capitol.' With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor ' Lucy Gray Baird' (Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished 'District 12'.
"But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of 'Panem', Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor.
"Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive...
"...and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.
"...young 'Coriolanus' (Blyth) is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud 'Snow' family that has fallen from grace in a post-war 'Capitol.' With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor ' Lucy Gray Baird' (Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished 'District 12'.
"But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of 'Panem', Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor.
"Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive...
"...and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.
- 11/9/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
As soon as it was announced on Tuesday that a live-action “Legend of Zelda” movie is in the works, fans started dream-casting the title role. At the top of many a list? “Euphoria” star Hunter Schafer. At the London premiere of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” on Thursday night, Schafer confirmed she’s seen the fan castings circulating on social media.
“That would be so cool,” Schafer said about playing Zelda in the live-action film. “I love the game, personally. I played it as a kid and I still play it now. Who knows! That would be pretty cool.”
Schafer had previously expressed interest in playing Princess Zelda, saying in an interview with Et: “I mean yeah, that would be cool. I played that video game a bunch when I was a kid. That’s such a good game.”
The “Legend of Zelda” movie was announced...
“That would be so cool,” Schafer said about playing Zelda in the live-action film. “I love the game, personally. I played it as a kid and I still play it now. Who knows! That would be pretty cool.”
Schafer had previously expressed interest in playing Princess Zelda, saying in an interview with Et: “I mean yeah, that would be cool. I played that video game a bunch when I was a kid. That’s such a good game.”
The “Legend of Zelda” movie was announced...
- 11/9/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
It’s hard to build much intrigue into whether a love-struck teen with a seemingly gentle heart and firm moral compass will betray those who trust him and cross over to the dark side when his name is Coriolanus Snow and we know from four previous films that he will grow up to be an evil overlord played with chilling authority by Donald Sutherland. Even less so once he joins the fascistic “Peacekeeper” ranks and trades his floppy blond locks for a Hitler Youth buzz cut.
That’s just one of the limitations of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, a lumbering prequel to the blockbuster battle royale series based on Suzanne Collins’ YA novels, the global grosses for which are nearing $3 billion.
Beyond the fact that Collins penned a 2020 follow-up set 64 years before the events of the original book trilogy, and of course the market reality...
That’s just one of the limitations of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, a lumbering prequel to the blockbuster battle royale series based on Suzanne Collins’ YA novels, the global grosses for which are nearing $3 billion.
Beyond the fact that Collins penned a 2020 follow-up set 64 years before the events of the original book trilogy, and of course the market reality...
- 11/9/2023
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
For better or worse, "The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes" cuts directly to the heart of the matter in the early going. Set only 10 years after the first rebellion of the various Districts that led to the implementation of the Hunger Games in the first place, the wealthy decision-makers of the Capitol are struggling to make the deadly arena fights feel vital and relevant to the battered, war-torn populace of Panem. It's trickier than they thought, as it turns out, to transform collective punishment into mass entertainment. Having assembled some of the best and brightest academy students to help solve this problem, there comes a moment when Dean Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage) all but reaches through the screen, channels his inner studio executive, and verbalizes the central issue at the core of a prequel like this: "If the Games are to go on, there must be an audience.
- 11/9/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Spoiler Alert: The following review contains mild spoilers.
Amusing ourselves to death. That’s what media critic Neil Postman called the phenomenon that “The Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins took to its natural extreme, penning a dystopian YA trilogy whose four-film adaptation minted Lionsgate nearly $3 billion at the global box office. Much like “Harry Potter,” the book series whose Hollywood success made this franchise possible, the big-screen adaptations took a few false steps before hitting their stride with a single director — in this case, Francis Lawrence — who now returns to helm a prequel (far better than the “Fantastic Beasts” movies) that impressively expands the canon while honoring its key themes.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” feels like a natural extension of the saga, balancing blood sport, endangered young love and a heightened level of political commentary that respects the intelligence of young audiences as only Collins can.
Amusing ourselves to death. That’s what media critic Neil Postman called the phenomenon that “The Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins took to its natural extreme, penning a dystopian YA trilogy whose four-film adaptation minted Lionsgate nearly $3 billion at the global box office. Much like “Harry Potter,” the book series whose Hollywood success made this franchise possible, the big-screen adaptations took a few false steps before hitting their stride with a single director — in this case, Francis Lawrence — who now returns to helm a prequel (far better than the “Fantastic Beasts” movies) that impressively expands the canon while honoring its key themes.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” feels like a natural extension of the saga, balancing blood sport, endangered young love and a heightened level of political commentary that respects the intelligence of young audiences as only Collins can.
- 11/9/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
It’s hard to pinpoint when exactly it became a thing, but in classically cinematic stories of good vs. evil it’s no longer enough to portray the complexities of the bad side. We now have to go back in time and understand the exact origins of evil. Was Cruella simply misunderstood? How about the Joker? Was he just unjustly treated?
In fairness, Coriolanus Snow, the tyrannical president of the dystopian Panem in the original “Hunger Games” films and novels, was never as one-dimensional as these aforesaid villains. But “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” takes a page out of the playbook of their origin stories and gives us an adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ 2020 prequel novel with wildly mixed, overlong and clumsily paced results.
Directed by “Mockingjay Part 1 & 2” filmmaker Francis Lawrence, and written by Michael Lesslie (“Assassin’s Creed”) and Michael Arndt (“Catching Fire” and “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens...
In fairness, Coriolanus Snow, the tyrannical president of the dystopian Panem in the original “Hunger Games” films and novels, was never as one-dimensional as these aforesaid villains. But “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” takes a page out of the playbook of their origin stories and gives us an adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ 2020 prequel novel with wildly mixed, overlong and clumsily paced results.
Directed by “Mockingjay Part 1 & 2” filmmaker Francis Lawrence, and written by Michael Lesslie (“Assassin’s Creed”) and Michael Arndt (“Catching Fire” and “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens...
- 11/9/2023
- by Tomris Laffly
- The Wrap
Photo: Murray Close/Lionsgate
What is the root of evil? In the YA fiction genre, storytellers often source it to bad breakups and torn friendships, which can transform Prince Charming into the Prince of Darkness. Plain evil isn’t engaging, but evil for evil’s sake can be wildly compelling,...
What is the root of evil? In the YA fiction genre, storytellers often source it to bad breakups and torn friendships, which can transform Prince Charming into the Prince of Darkness. Plain evil isn’t engaging, but evil for evil’s sake can be wildly compelling,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Eric Francisco
- avclub.com
London is hosting the world premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the anticipated prequel to the original The Hunger Games trilogy, directed by Francis Lawrence.
Lawrence was joined by the stars of the film, Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, and Josh Andrés Rivera, all of whom walked the carpet at the BFI Imax on Thursday, November 9th.
The latest release in the blockbuster franchise based on the novels by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes takes place 64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow became the tyrannical president of Panem. Francis Lawrence returns as director to the latest saga (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Parts 1 and 2). The new film also stars Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, and Viola Davis.
Related: ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes’ World Premieres...
Lawrence was joined by the stars of the film, Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, and Josh Andrés Rivera, all of whom walked the carpet at the BFI Imax on Thursday, November 9th.
The latest release in the blockbuster franchise based on the novels by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes takes place 64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow became the tyrannical president of Panem. Francis Lawrence returns as director to the latest saga (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Parts 1 and 2). The new film also stars Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, and Viola Davis.
Related: ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes’ World Premieres...
- 11/9/2023
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
Enter the contest below by following the link at the bottom of this page for your chance to win a pair of passes to attend an advance screening of The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 7:00pm at the Mjr Troy!
Synopsis: Experience the story of The Hunger Games — 64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow became the tyrannical President of Panem. The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a postwar Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates.
Synopsis: Experience the story of The Hunger Games — 64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow became the tyrannical President of Panem. The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a postwar Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates.
- 11/9/2023
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
On Sunday, critics and reviewers teased early reactions to “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” many of which are overwhelmingly positive. The prequel debuts in theaters on Nov. 17 — full reviews are set to drop Tuesday.
TheWrap’s own Scott Mendelson joined those who enjoyed the movie. He wrote, “The new #HungerGames is pretty great. Superbly constructed and exquisitely acted, it wrestles with the franchise’s complicated pop culture legacy while thriving as a ‘money’s on the screen’ Imax blockbuster. Zegler gives a full-on movie star turn and Davis is a macabre hoot.”
The new #HungerGames is pretty great. Superbly constructed and exquisitely acted, it wrestles with the franchise’s complicated pop culture legacy while thriving as a "money's on the screen" Imax blockbuster. Zegler gives a full-on movie star turn and Davis is a macabre hoot. pic.twitter.com/9ALOfz5LTV
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) November 5, 2023
Russ Milheim of The Direct said,...
TheWrap’s own Scott Mendelson joined those who enjoyed the movie. He wrote, “The new #HungerGames is pretty great. Superbly constructed and exquisitely acted, it wrestles with the franchise’s complicated pop culture legacy while thriving as a ‘money’s on the screen’ Imax blockbuster. Zegler gives a full-on movie star turn and Davis is a macabre hoot.”
The new #HungerGames is pretty great. Superbly constructed and exquisitely acted, it wrestles with the franchise’s complicated pop culture legacy while thriving as a "money's on the screen" Imax blockbuster. Zegler gives a full-on movie star turn and Davis is a macabre hoot. pic.twitter.com/9ALOfz5LTV
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) November 5, 2023
Russ Milheim of The Direct said,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is nearly here!
The highly anticipated Francis Lawrence-directed new installment in the Hunger Games franchise, based on the best-selling Suzanne Collins novel, hits theaters and IMAX on November 17.
Here’s a plot summary: the movie follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post- war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against...
The highly anticipated Francis Lawrence-directed new installment in the Hunger Games franchise, based on the best-selling Suzanne Collins novel, hits theaters and IMAX on November 17.
Here’s a plot summary: the movie follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post- war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against...
- 11/5/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The release of "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes," the "Hunger Games" prequel, is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to catch up on everything "Hunger Games" before the release of the film on Nov. 17. The prequel, which takes place 64 years prior to the events of the Hunger Games trilogy, follows the story of Coriolanus Snow (played by Tom Blyth) and his relationship with Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute and eventual victor of the 10th Hunger Games (played by Rachel Zegler).
The film will introduce new characters like Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage), the dean of the Academy, and Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis), the head game maker. But the prequel will also feature familiar characters like Tigris Snow, Coriolanus's cousin, and one of the key characters that helped Katniss in the Capitol in "Mockingjay." In the original movies, Tigris is played by Eugenie Bondurant, but she'll be...
The film will introduce new characters like Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage), the dean of the Academy, and Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis), the head game maker. But the prequel will also feature familiar characters like Tigris Snow, Coriolanus's cousin, and one of the key characters that helped Katniss in the Capitol in "Mockingjay." In the original movies, Tigris is played by Eugenie Bondurant, but she'll be...
- 11/4/2023
- by Athena Sobhan
- Popsugar.com
The odds of us volunteering as tributes to see the “Hunger Games” prequel? High. Even though “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” takes place long before the star-crossed love triangle of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Gale Hawthorn (Liam Hemsworth), the Lionsgate prequel film has racked up its own set of stars. Ten years after the original adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s trilogy into four films, Panem’s past can finally come to light, along with President Snow’s.
Francis Lawrence, who directed all but the first “Hunger Games” film, returns to helm the prequel installment, which arrives just in time for Thanksgiving. Here’s everything we know about “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”:
Who’s on the Soundtrack?
Olivia Rodrigo wrote and recorded “Can’t Catch Me Now” for the prequel film. The song was officially confirmed and announced Nov.
Francis Lawrence, who directed all but the first “Hunger Games” film, returns to helm the prequel installment, which arrives just in time for Thanksgiving. Here’s everything we know about “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”:
Who’s on the Soundtrack?
Olivia Rodrigo wrote and recorded “Can’t Catch Me Now” for the prequel film. The song was officially confirmed and announced Nov.
- 11/3/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Olivia Rodrigo has shared “Can’t Catch Me Now,” her contribution to the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Check it out below.
Opening with a lone acoustic guitar, “Can’t Catch Me Now” blossoms into an arrangement clad with silky strings and rich harmonies, but the real star of the show is Rodrigo’s vocal performance. The first portion of the tune gives her a platform to deliver some appropriately Hunger Games-esque lyrics, like “But I’m in the trees, I’m in the breeze/ My footsteps on the ground/ You’ll see my face in every place/ But you can’t catch me now.”
Then, the energy picks up a bit, as Rodrigo belts “You can’t, you can’t catch me now” over cinematic orchestral padding. After reaching a grand climax, the tone drops down again, and she closes out the...
Opening with a lone acoustic guitar, “Can’t Catch Me Now” blossoms into an arrangement clad with silky strings and rich harmonies, but the real star of the show is Rodrigo’s vocal performance. The first portion of the tune gives her a platform to deliver some appropriately Hunger Games-esque lyrics, like “But I’m in the trees, I’m in the breeze/ My footsteps on the ground/ You’ll see my face in every place/ But you can’t catch me now.”
Then, the energy picks up a bit, as Rodrigo belts “You can’t, you can’t catch me now” over cinematic orchestral padding. After reaching a grand climax, the tone drops down again, and she closes out the...
- 11/3/2023
- by Carys Anderson and Jo Vito
- Consequence - Music
The cast of the upcoming The Hunger Games prequel movie hasn’t been able to promote the film all summer long due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, but now they can thanks to an interim agreement!
Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, and Josh Andrés Rivera stepped out in Times Square for an event for their film The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes on Wednesday (November 1) in New York City.
During the event, the stars joined fans to watch the debut of a new spot featuring Olivia Rodrigo’s official song for the film, “Can’t Catch Me Now,” followed by a live performance from a 50-plus-member choir singing the franchise’s beloved song, “The Hanging Tree.”
The upcoming movie follows a young Coriolanus (Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow...
Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, and Josh Andrés Rivera stepped out in Times Square for an event for their film The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes on Wednesday (November 1) in New York City.
During the event, the stars joined fans to watch the debut of a new spot featuring Olivia Rodrigo’s official song for the film, “Can’t Catch Me Now,” followed by a live performance from a 50-plus-member choir singing the franchise’s beloved song, “The Hanging Tree.”
The upcoming movie follows a young Coriolanus (Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow...
- 11/2/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Jennifer Lawrence is unlikely to return to 'The Hunger Games'.The 33-year-old star portrayed Katniss Everdeen in the first four movies of the dystopian sci-fi film franchise but producer Nina Jacobson says her return is dependent on author Suzanne Collins writing a new novel featuring her alter ego.Jacobson told Yahoo Entertainment: "If Suzanne has something to say, then she'll write a book about it."Honestly, as much as I love Katniss, I think her story is complete. And I think that Suzanne feels that her story is complete."She added: "But if that changes, and Suzanne has something she wants to say, and it involves Katniss, then I would be thrilled. But really any chance to be back in this world, and lead with Francis (Lawrence) and Suzanne, I would take regardless of who it was about."The franchise returns to the big screen later this month with...
- 11/2/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Lionsgate’s unveiled two short videos in support of the November 17, 2023 theatrical release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, including one featuring the new song “Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo.
The three-time Grammy winner revealed her involvement in the film during a special event broadcast on TikTok.
“From the very beginning of this franchise, we have been fortunate to attract some of the world’s most talented recording artists, whose music has accentuated and complemented the drama of the films while underscoring the emotional weight carried by the characters,” said director Francis Lawrence. “With her highly charged lyrics and urgent voice, Olivia Rodrigo taps into all of that as much as any artist today. She’s an absolute thrill to work with, and we couldn’t be more excited that her music is a part of the movie.”
The studio’s second clip...
The three-time Grammy winner revealed her involvement in the film during a special event broadcast on TikTok.
“From the very beginning of this franchise, we have been fortunate to attract some of the world’s most talented recording artists, whose music has accentuated and complemented the drama of the films while underscoring the emotional weight carried by the characters,” said director Francis Lawrence. “With her highly charged lyrics and urgent voice, Olivia Rodrigo taps into all of that as much as any artist today. She’s an absolute thrill to work with, and we couldn’t be more excited that her music is a part of the movie.”
The studio’s second clip...
- 11/2/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Jennifer Lawrence told Variety in June during her “No Hard Feelings” press tour that she is “totally” open to reprising her “Hunger Games” role of Katniss Everdeen should the right opportunity arise. She added at the time, “If Katniss ever could ever come back into my life, 100 percent.”
But franchise producer Nina Jacobson and director Francis Lawrence aren’t counting on it. Why? Because Katniss’ story feels complete, and it would hinge on “Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins wanting to revisit Katniss herself. If Collins doesn’t want to crack a story about Katniss’ return, then the film team won’t be bringing Jennifer Lawrence back.
“If Suzanne has something to say, then she’ll write a book about it,” Jacobson recently told Yahoo Entertainment while on the press tour of the upcoming release of the franchise prequel “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.”
“Honestly, as much as I love Katniss,...
But franchise producer Nina Jacobson and director Francis Lawrence aren’t counting on it. Why? Because Katniss’ story feels complete, and it would hinge on “Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins wanting to revisit Katniss herself. If Collins doesn’t want to crack a story about Katniss’ return, then the film team won’t be bringing Jennifer Lawrence back.
“If Suzanne has something to say, then she’ll write a book about it,” Jacobson recently told Yahoo Entertainment while on the press tour of the upcoming release of the franchise prequel “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.”
“Honestly, as much as I love Katniss,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
On November 17th, Geffen Records will release The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Music From & Inspired By) — the official soundtrack to the highly anticipated new film in The Hunger Games saga arriving the same day as the movie’s release.
Last Friday marked the premiere of “The Hanging Tree,” the first song released from the soundtrack. In the upcoming film (a prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy), audiences will witness the origin of the storied song when Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler) sings it for the very first time. Also heard in the second official trailer for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, “The Hanging Tree” has been passed down through generations and was previously performed by Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.
View the featurette (above) to go behind-the-scenes with The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes director Francis Lawrence,...
Last Friday marked the premiere of “The Hanging Tree,” the first song released from the soundtrack. In the upcoming film (a prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy), audiences will witness the origin of the storied song when Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler) sings it for the very first time. Also heard in the second official trailer for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, “The Hanging Tree” has been passed down through generations and was previously performed by Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.
View the featurette (above) to go behind-the-scenes with The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes director Francis Lawrence,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Jennifer Lawrence became a household name starring as Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games film franchise, and now Rachel Zegler is set to propel herself to even greater heights by fronting the prequel movie The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Like Katniss, Rachel‘s character Lucy Gray is reaped to compete in The Hunger Games. The characters share multiple similarities. That will also be reflected in Lucy’s wardrobe.
In fact, one key piece has been modeled after an iconic Katniss look.
Keep reading to find out more…
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, costume designer Trish Summerville revealed Lucy’s rainbow dress featured a callback to one of Katniss’ outfits.
“We had the corset mimic the shape of Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss’ blue mockingjay dress,” she explained. The dress in question is the one that Jennifer wore in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire before being sent to the Games for a second time.
Like Katniss, Rachel‘s character Lucy Gray is reaped to compete in The Hunger Games. The characters share multiple similarities. That will also be reflected in Lucy’s wardrobe.
In fact, one key piece has been modeled after an iconic Katniss look.
Keep reading to find out more…
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, costume designer Trish Summerville revealed Lucy’s rainbow dress featured a callback to one of Katniss’ outfits.
“We had the corset mimic the shape of Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss’ blue mockingjay dress,” she explained. The dress in question is the one that Jennifer wore in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire before being sent to the Games for a second time.
- 10/27/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Director Francis Lawrence says that early on in the process of bringing The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes to life he spoke with author Suzanne Collins about the music. Collins told him music’s an important element to this prequel and that the songs were inspired by Scottish, English, and Irish ballads. Lionsgate’s new behind the scenes featurette focuses on the music and features never-before-released clips from the film, including scenes of Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) performing on stage.
The new video also includes interviews with Lawrence, producer Nina Jacobson, and executive music producer Dave Cobb who worked closely with author Collins to capture her vision.
In addition to Rachel Zegler, the cast includes Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow, Oscar winner Viola Davis as Head Gamemaker Volumnia Gaul, Peter Dinklage as Dean Cesca Highbottom, Jason Schwartzman as Lucky Flickerman, Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth,...
The new video also includes interviews with Lawrence, producer Nina Jacobson, and executive music producer Dave Cobb who worked closely with author Collins to capture her vision.
In addition to Rachel Zegler, the cast includes Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow, Oscar winner Viola Davis as Head Gamemaker Volumnia Gaul, Peter Dinklage as Dean Cesca Highbottom, Jason Schwartzman as Lucky Flickerman, Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth,...
- 10/27/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
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