West Side Story star Rachel Zegler is now set to star in the upcoming 2023 Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Initially, the actress made a cryptic tweet that was pointed out along with shared by Zegler that the tweet spells out the protagonist’s name, Lucy Gray Baird. Now it is confirmed she will lead the film, which will be directed by Francis Lawrence, who helmed the sequels of the original 2012 action-flick.
https://t.co/CCjQ7DIncN pic.twitter.com/EXKXqnzLne
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) May 31, 2022
The film is based on the 2020 book of the same name by Hunger Games creator and author Suzanne Collins. The story takes place decades before the events of the original story, so you will not see Jennifer Lawrence’s heroine Katniss Everdeen. Instead, it will follow Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth (Billy the Kid), who becomes the tyrannical leader of Panem. In the film, fans will see him guide Rachel Zegler’s character, who is the tribute for District 12.
Michael Lesslie (Assassin’s Creed) and Michael Arndt (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will write. Zegler and Blyth are the only two actors confirmed to star so far. Collins will executive produce alongside returning Hunger Games producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. Tim Palen and Jim Miller will also act as executive producers.
The Hunger Games quadrilogy grossed over $2.9 billion worldwide. The top performer was the first sequel, 2013’s Catching Fire, with $865 million at the box office. Due to that popularity, Lionsgate will surely want to adapt any future novels from Collins that takes place in this universe.
The Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes hits theaters on November 17th, 2023. With that time, you should have enough room to catch up on the franchise by reading the books or watching the movies. With Songbirds and Snakes being over 500 pages, you will have plenty of time in the world to prepare for the upcoming adaption.
