The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: What We Know Now

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released in theaters on November 17, 2023 by Lionsgate. This is what we know right now.

The Hunger Games Franchise

Lionsgate gave fans of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games franchise much to look forward to with the teaser trailer for its upcoming movie The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The novel was released on May 19, 2020 alongside an audiobook read by Santino Fontana. The film adaption of the prequel will be the fifth, and likely last, installment in the franchise. This comes nearly 8 years after the release of the film adaptation of The Mockingjay – Part 2.

What We Know about the Film

The movie follows 18-year-old Cornelius Snow, played by Tom Blyth, as he navigates his way through life in a post-war Capitol. His once powerful family is on the brink of poverty. Assigned to mentor the female tribute from District 12, he fears he will never bring honor to his family name. However, Lucy Gray Baird, played by Rachel Zegler, is a bit of a wild card. When she begins singing during the reaping ceremony, suddenly all eyes are on her. With their combined political knowledge and showmanship, will they have what it takes to survive the Hunger Games?

Following the release of the trailer, Tom Blyth posted this picture on his Instagram. The caption reads, “Sneaky peak at our inconspicuous little movie about 2 totally chill birdwatchers with no emotional damage whatsoever…” To which Rachel Zegler, who was made a collaborator on the post, commented, “NO EMOTIONAL DAMAGE NONE AT ALL.” Based on the previous Hunger Games movies, fans expect another heart wrenching movie full of betrayal and political unrest. 

As a hardcore Hunger Games fan, I am excited to see the last addition to the series become a feature film. It will be interesting to see how the young Cornelius Snow’s experiences during the 10th Hunger Games shaped his future. What series of events led to him becoming the dictator that all fans know him as today?