The premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Birds and Snakes is just around the corner. Is there a chance for a continuation of the series and more spin-offs? Check out what the director says!
The Hunger Games became a cultural phenomenon, and Suzanne Collins’ books and resulting films were wildly successful. The upcoming film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Birds and Serpents is certainly the biggest departure for the franchise, telling the story of young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) decades before the rise of Katniss Everdeen. Although The Ballad of Birds and Snakes is based on Collins’ 2020 book of the same name, fans are still wondering whether other cinematic offshoots of the saga are in the cards. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly , director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson suggested that they’re not opposed to the possibility, but any future chapters will likely have to be rooted in Collins’ own idea.
Initially, I liked being a part of the series because the stories are great. But the most satisfying thing was that they were always about something. Suzanne always writes by topic. The original ones were about the consequences of war. The Ballad of Birds and Snakes tells about the state of nature. That’s what makes them feel rich rather than superficial, and I think that’s why they’ve stood the test of time, honestly… If Suzanne has a different thematic idea that she thinks fits the world of Panem – whether it’s with new people or familiar characters , like Finnick, Haymitch, whoever – I’d be really interested in looking at it and being a part of it. But I don’t feel like just saying, I’d like to play Finnick’s games. He’s a great character, but what are the thematic underpinnings that make him worth talking about and relevant?
– Lawrence explained.
If he has something to say, I want to hear it. I’m fascinated by her perspective. I will always want to follow her example.
– Jacobson echoed.
What is the Hunger Games prequel about?
In The Ballad of Birds and Snakes , years before he becomes the despotic President Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen out of favor in the post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, young Snow is troubled when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray steals all the attention from Panem, defiantly by singing during the ceremony, Snow thinks he may be able to turn the odds in their favor. Combining their performance instincts and newfound political knowledge, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is the songbird and who is the snake.
Press materials from Forum Film
The film’s cast also includes Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Laurel Marsden, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Jose Andrés Rivera, Ashley Liao, Mackenzie Lansing, Irene Boehm, Cooper Dillon, Luna Kuse, Kjell Brutscheidt, Dimitri Abold, Athena Strates, Dakota Shapiro, George Somner and Vaughan Reilly, Lilly Maria Cooper, Sofia Sannchez and Max Raphael. Nina Jacobson executive produces with her producing partner Brad Simpson, as well as Lawrence, Collins and Tim Palen.
The Hunger Games : The Ballad of Birds and Snakes will be released in cinemas on November 17!