The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is coming to cinemas this month – and critics have called it the best film in the series so far. Get excited.
The new film takes place 64 years before the events of the first Hunger Games films that starred Jennifer Lawrence and follows the story of a young President Snow (then known as Coriolanus Snow and played by Tom Blyth) – who in the original Hunger Games film series was played by Donald Sutherland.
In the new film, Snow will mentor a female tribute from the impoverished District 12 named Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler, who is also set to star in the upcoming Disney live-action rendition of Snow White). Here's everything else you need to know.
Is there a trailer for the Hunger Games sequel?
Yes! And if it's anything to go by, the film will be just as action-packed as the Katniss Everdeen series.
The trailer opens with Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the head game maker of the 10th annual Hunger Games, introducing a crowd to the creator of the games, Casca Highbottom (played by Peter Dinklage – talk about star-studded!).
We see Snow being told to create spectacles of the participants, rather than survivors, and meet new characters such as Lucky Flickerman (Jason Schwartzman), a host of the games – and possible ancestor of Caesar Flickerman (played by Stanley Tucci in the original films).
“What happens in there, fuelled with the terror of becoming prey, see how quickly we become predator? See how quickly civilisation disappears?” Viola's character asks.
Who will star in the film?
Viola's casting was announced last year, and producer Nina Jacobson said at the time: “From the beginning, Viola has been our dream for Dr. Gaul because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role… We are incredibly fortunate to have an actor with Viola’s extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role.”
Alongside Viola, Hunter, Tom and Rachel, Josh Andrés Rivera will play Coriolanus' friend Sejanus Plinth. Others set to play tributes from different districts include Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, and Aamer Husain.
Jennifer Lawrence will sadly not be returning. She shut down rumours that she'd appear in the prequel movie as her character Katniss's grandmother, joking: “Oh, 'cause I'm 49 in Hollywood years, huh? No! That's not true.”
Euphoria's Jules (Hunter Schafer) was also revealed to have been cast in the prequel, and we got our first glimpse of Hunter as Tigris Snow in the trailer.
What are the first reactions to the Hunger Games prequel?
US critic Jeff Conway called the prequel “a gripping tale that blurs the line between good and evil” – we're into it. He also praised Rachel Zegler's performance, calling her an “enchanting heroine” and Viola Davis “deliciously evil”.
Next Best Picture's Daniel Howat called the prequel “the best #HungerGames movie yet”.
“THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES is the best #HungerGames movie yet,” he wrote. “It's darker, more of a character study than anything, but always genuinely entertaining. With high stakes, solid action, and killer performances, it's a thrilling return to Panem”.
Critic Fico Cangiano described The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as “one of the best #TheHungerGames films”. He adds: “Tom Blyth impresses, @rachelzegler shines bright & Jason Schwartzman is hilarious.”
Others called it “more gripping than the original”, “quite possibly the best adaptation we've had so far” and a “magnificent movie that enriches the original franchise”. High praise!
What is the Hunger Games prequel based on?
The prequel will be based on the book called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, written by best-selling Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins. It was released on 19 May 2020 by Scholastic, with its cover first being revealed on Good Morning America.
The author stated at the time: "With this book, I wanted to explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival."
What is the plot?
Set 64 years before the trilogy's beginning, the plot will focus on the early days of Panem hosting the Hunger Games, where children compete in a battle for survival.
The official synopsis reads: “Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favour. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird and a snake.”
How much success did the initial The Hunger Games film trilogy see?
The Hunger Games trilogy films fetched nearly $3 billion (£2.4 billion) at the box office. The last of the four franchise films ended in 2015 with Mockingjay Part Two, starring Jennifer Lawrence alongside Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci.
Jennifer became a household name and Hollywood's darling, thanks to the role.
Who is helming the prequel, and when will it be released?
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be directed by Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part One and Mockingjay Part Two director Francis Lawrence.
It is slated to hit cinemas in the UK and USA on 17 November 2023.
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