The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes isn’t expected to hit theaters until 2023, but Warner Bros. Pictures has treated those anxiously awaiting its release to the first look at Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler. Taking on the roles of a young Coriolanus Snow, and Hunger Games competitor Lucy Gray Baird, the duo seem peaceful and full of hope in the new image. Those familiar with the story, however, know that their future is full of trouble and turmoil.
New Hunger Games prequel image spotlights Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray Baird
Preparations have begun. In 2023, return to the Games… pic.twitter.com/6n6YAaqCBb
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) June 5, 2022
“This is a story about love,” teased the official Hunger Games Twitter account upon releasing the picture. “And we love all kinds of things we don’t trust.” In our modern world, it may be difficult to see this tale as a romantic one, but the intimacy between these two lead characters is always present in the original novel by Suzanne Collins.
Set around 64 years before the events of the Hunger Games trilogy, this new film takes audiences back to District 12, where young Lucy Gray is chosen to be one of the tributes in the tenth Hunger Games. At this point, the Capitol’s prestigious high school, the Academy, would present high academic achievers the opportunity to mentor one of the tributes. One of those students is a young Coriolanus Snow, who is assigned none other than Lucy to help in the deadly arena.
Far from the villainous President we met in the Hunger Games trilogy, Snow proves to be one of the more caring mentors, sneaking food to Lucy after learning she isn’t being fed by the Capitol. From that point, their friendship blossoms, and it appears that this first look image is taken from that moment in the story. After that however, chaos rains down on the duo.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ cast also includes Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, and Jason Schwartzman. Francis Lawrence returns as director, following his work on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and 2.
In other news, Viola Davis has joined the cast of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as villain Dr. Gaul, while She-Hulk actress Tatiana Maslany doesn’t want to be known as the “strong female lead”.
