The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Set Video Teases Hunger Games Prequel

October 21, 2022

As production continues on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the first official behind-the-scenes video from the set of Lionsgate’s highly-anticipated prequel has finally been revealed through TikTok.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes set features lead star Rachel Zegler as she gives fans a fun tour of the film’s set. It also reveals our first look at some of the cast members including Tom Blyth’s Coriolanus Snow.

NEW: Rachel Zegler gives us a set tour for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes!! pic.twitter.com/zAkkHaRpKj

— The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (@BalladOfPanem) October 20, 2022

Based on the 2020 prequel novel by Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set 64 years before the events of the Hunger Games trilogy, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Tenth Hunger Games, where an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is assigned as the mentor for the tribute girl from the impoverished District 12. The film stars Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis, and Peter Dinklage.

“Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol,” reads the synopsis. “With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.”

Additional cast includes Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Josh Andrés Rivera, Max Raphael, Zoe Renee, Ayomide Adegun, Kaitlyn Akinpelumi, Amelie Hoeferle, Sofia Sanchez, Nick Benson, Laurel Marsden, Lilly Cooper, Luna Steeples, Hiroki Berrecloth, Irene Boehm, Cooper Dillon, Luna Kuse, Kjell Brutscheidt, Dimitri Abold, Athena Strates, Dakota Shapiro, George Somner, Vaughan Reilly, and more.

Written by Michael Lesslie and based on a draft by Collins and Michael Arndt, the film is being helmed by Hunger Games film director Francis Lawrence. It will be shepherded by franchise producer Nina Jacobson and her producing partner Brad Simpson, along with Francis Lawrence. Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen, and Jim Miller will serve as executive producers. Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing on behalf of the studio.

The prequel is currently scheduled for a theatrical release on November 17, 2023.