The Hunger Games is a film series that started out in 2012. The films were adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ books of the same name. The film series starred Jennifer Lawrence in the lead role of Katniss accompanied by Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer, Sam Claflin, Luke Hemsworth and Jack Quaid. While there were only ever three books, there were four movies made as the creator decided to split the last book- Mockingjay, into two parts. The film series was helmed by Gary Ross and Francis Lawrence. With Ross only directing the first film and Lawrence directing the rest two. The film series was critically acclaimed and enjoyed box office success as it grossed over $2.970 billion. With the film series coming to an end in 2015, everyone thought The Hunger Games are gone for good.
However, in the summer of 2020 when the world was dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic Suzanne Collins wrote another Hunger Games book but it is not the continuation of the saga. No it is a prequel to the The Hunger Games story with new characters and some characters might feature from the original story. As soon as, another Hunger Games book dropped Lionsgate was ready to make it into a movie. So, we got the news that we’re indeed getting a Hunger Games prequel of the same name – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
The Hunger Games – New Castings along side Rachel Zegler
The prequel is directed by Francis Lawrence and Hunger Games screenwriter Michael Arndy and producer Nina Jacobson are back as well. Recently we got the news that Rachel Zegler has been cast as Lucy Gray Baird, the lead of the new story. While Katniss’s story is long ahead in the timeline but we can definitely count on finding out Snow’s origins. Now, with the prequel, on the docket, dans are excited to see what Rachel Zegler can do alongside Tom Blyth.
The new cast includes Max Raphael, Zoe Renee, Ayomide Adegun, Kaitlyn Akinpelumi, Sofia Sanchez and Amélie Hoeferle are ready to join the fray. Lawrence talked about his return to the franchise and his excitement to work with Zegler,“Like everybody, I first saw Rachel Zegler in ‘West Side Story,’ and like everybody, I knew I was watching a star who would command the screen for a generation. Lucy Gray is a perfect match for her as an actress: the character is bold, independent, and defiant, but also vulnerable, emotional, and loving. Rachel will make this character unforgettable.”
Lionsgate President also talked about the Prequel, “When you read Suzanne’s book, Lucy Gray’s emotional intelligence, physical agility, and fiercely powerful, determined singing voice shine through. Rachel embodies all of those skills — she is the perfect choice for our Lucy Gray.” Suzanne Collins too gave a statement on the prequel being adapted into a film, “Lionsgate has always been the cinematic home of The Hunger Games, and I’m delighted to be returning to them with this new book.”
