May the odds be ever in his favor. President Snow is the notorious villain that Hunger Games fans love to hate — and he’s about to get his own movie.
Suzanne Collins, who created the hit Hunger Games franchise, penned a prequel novel all about the origins of President Snow (played by Donald Sutherland in the OG movies). The book, titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, was published in May 2020 and follows an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow as he prepares to be a first-time mentor in Panem’s 10th annual Hunger Games. Searching for his one chance at glory and money, Snow is paired with District 12 underdog Lucy Gray Baird.
In May 2022, it was announced that Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler would be taking on the roles of Snow and Baird, respectively.
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.
The stars were photographed in October 2022 as they filmed the movie in Germany. One month later, Zegler announced that filming had officially wrapped.
“I have loved every second and that’s a wrap,” she shared via X (formerly Twitter) at the time.
Keep scrolling for everything we know about the Hunger Games prequel:
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The movie is set to be released on November 23, 2023.
Murray Close/Lionsgate
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The book — and its film adaptation — focus on a younger version of Snow long before he becomes the president of the dystopian-era country. Snow is tasked with mentoring a Games contestant much like Haymitch does for Katniss and Peeta years later.
Murray Close/Lionsgate
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Tom Blyth will play Coriolanus Snow while Rachel Zegler will appear as Lucy Gray Baird. Knox Gibson will play Bobbin (a tribute from District 8) while Jerome Lance will portray Marcus (the tribute from District 2). Mackenzie Lansing will play Coral (a tribute from District 4). For the newest mentors, Agmer Husain will portray Felix Ravinstill (a mentor from District 11). Ashley Liao will play the role of Clemensia Dovecote (also a mentor from District 11).
Josh Andrés Rivera will take on the character of Sejanus Plinth, a former tribute from District 2 who was once a close friend of Snow.
Hunter Schafer will appear as Tigris Snow while Jason Schwartzman is set to appear as Lucky Flickerman, Peter Dinklage will star as Casca Highbottom and Viola Davis is playing Dr. Volumnia Gaul.
Murray Close/Lionsgate
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A teaser for the film was revealed at the 2022 MTV Movie and TV Awards, warning viewers they will discover “who is a songbird and who is a snake” when the film premieres in November 2023.
Fans got their first full-length preview for the action-packed film in April 2023. The nearly three-minute-long trailer featured glimpses of Blyth, Zegler and the rest of the cast, as well asthe events that shaped Coriolanus Snow into the villainous Panem president fans know and love to hate.
The trailer ends with a voiceover of Sutherland from the original trilogy, as Snow ominously states: “It’s the things we love the most that destroy us.”
Murray Close/Lionsgate
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During a June 2023 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Andy Cohen read a fan question asking the OG Hunger Games star about a rumor that she will appear in the prequel as her character Katniss’ grandmother.
“Oh, ’cause I’m 49 in Hollywood years, huh?” Lawrence quipped, referring to the fact that the spinoff takes place 49 years before the events of the first Hunger Games film.
The No Hard Feelings star then said, “No, that’s not true,” shutting down speculation that she makes a cameo in the movie.
Charles Sykes/Bravo
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The film’s stars were granted an interim agreement to promote the movie in October 2023 amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
“I am so beyond thankful to @lionsgate and @sagaftra for working so hard throughout this strike to come to an agreement, allowing us to participate in press and promotion for our film,” Zegler wrote on Instagram, sharing the news.
Murray Close/Lionsgate
Original Article by US Magazine https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/hunger-games-prequel-movie-stars-president-snow-what-to-know/