The Hunger Games: The Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes!

The iconic dystopian trilogy, The Hunger Games, is a series of novels, focusing on a corrupt government.

The wealthier region known as the Capitol, and the 12 Districts, picking 24 random children, (who they call tributes) to be put in an arena for a fight to the death. With a total of 100 million copies of the book sold worldwide and the film franchise grossing over $2.9B, Suzanne Collins, (well-renowned author of this book) is earning the big bucks.

The devoted fanbase has sparked with excitement at the news of the upcoming, definitely long-awaited prequel: The Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes hitting the theatres on the 17th November 2023. The film is a look into the history of The Hunger Games itself, and its main antagonist. So, let’s see what we’re in for.

The film is mainly based on the origins of the franchise, a post-war setting, 64 years before the original novel, and decades before Coriolanus Snow becomes the ruthless dictator we know to be president of Panem (the nation in which the Hunger Games is held).

It shadows a young Snow (Tom Blyth), an Academy student and last beacon of hope, for the family’s dying lineage. With the imminent possibility of his and his families future ruined, he takes on the task of mentoring Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the female tribute from the poor District 12. She, unexpectedly, charms the audience, becoming a star within the Capitol. Building a deep affection for each other, Snow will try anything to help her survive. Snow is torn between the path of good and evil, and they set out on a race against time to reveal who will become a songbird, and who will become a snake.

Are you looking forward for this movie, or maybe might like to read it? Like, share and let me know in the comments bellow!

By Amna I, Yr7

Boston High School Newsroom

12A

RUN-TIME: 2H 37MIN

DIRECTED BY: FRANCIS LAWRENCE

RELEASE DATE: 17TH NOVEMBER 2023

STARRING: RACHEL ZEGLER, TOM BLYTH, VIOLA DAVIS, HUNTER SCHAFER, PETER DINKLAGE, JOSH ANDRÉS RIVERA

PRODUCING COMPANY: LIONSGATE