Published Date: 15/11/2023

All you need to know about The Hunger Games prequel

Oh yes! The Hunger Games is returning to the big screens here at Showcase Cinemas. It has been a long wait but finally The Hunger Games prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is upon us.   

As ever we don’t wish to give too much away - no spoilers here! – for those who have not read Suzanne Collins’ 2020 source novel, but we can reveal that contrary to popular belief Coriolanus Snow did once have a heart, as he mentors and develops feelings for the District 12 tribute, Lucy Gray Baird.    

So again, without giving away too much of the plot away, what more do we know about The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes?

• The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes tells the story of 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, decades before he became the tyrannical President of Panem and 64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute.

• Snow (previously magnificently played by Donald Sutherland) is played by Tom Blyth, seen in the late Terence Davis’ Benediction (2022) and on television in The Gilded Age and Billy the Kid as William H. Bonney himself.

• District 12 tribute, Lucy Gray Baird is played by Rachel Zegler soon to be seen in Snow White and last seen in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2022) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).

• The film is adapted by Michael Lesslie (Macbeth (2015), Assassin’s Creed (2016)) and Oscar winner Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Toy Story 3 (2010), Oblivion (2013), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens(2015)) from of course Suzanne Collins’ 2020 novel of the same name.

• Starring alongside Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler are:
• Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom, credited with creating the Hunger Games and overseeing the mentorship program.
• Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow, a cousin and confidante of Coriolanus Snow.
• Jason Schwartzman as Lucretius ‘Kucky’ Flickerman, the presenter of the Hunger Games and a relation of Stanley Tucci’s presenter in the original series.
• Oscar winner Viola Davis (Fences (2016)), plays the chilling head game-maker, Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

• The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is directed by Francis Lawrence who has plenty of Hunger Games pedigree having previously helmed The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I (2014) and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II (2015).

So just a few insights to whet your appetite…see you at Showcase Cinemas and let The Hunger Games begin!

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is released at Showcase Cinemas on Friday

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