The new Hunger Games Prequel is set to come out on November 19, 2023. This will be the first Hunger Games movie to hit the big screen in 8 years, and the anticipation is rising.
According to Parade magazine, “As with the original Hunger Games series, the film’s cast is comprised of mostly big-name actors in the smaller adult roles while largely unknown child actors will be taking the roles of tributes.”
Some of the big-name actors include Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Peter Dinklage, and Viola Davis, who are filling in the big shoes of the Hunger Games franchise.
According to Movie Web, lead character Rachel Zegler initially turned down this big role, “I regretted it the second I said it. I had another project lined up that fell through that got pushed into 2023,” Zegler said. “I just kind of put my name back into the mix and got it.'”
The Hunger Games is one of the highest-grossed film franchises of all time, reaching up to 3 billion dollars worldwide.
Producer Nina Jacobson explains how they plan to keep standards high, “ If [Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins] had a story in this world with something she wanted to talk about, something to explore, then great. But if not, better to leave a franchise as something people feel fondly about rather than crank out a sequel for the sake of a sequel.”
The plotline of this sequel takes place during the 10th Hunger Games, while young President Snow mentors Lucy Gray, who was picked to compete in the games. After Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor.
According to Entertainment Weekly, “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.”
This sequel is going to be unlike any of the other Hunger Games movies produced, with new spinoffs of characters, and different outlooks on their personalities.
According to Entertainment Weekly Director Francis Lawrence said, “I didn’t want it to be mimicry in any way. I wanted young president snow to play the part in the way that he would play the part.”
Jacobson agreed on the point of keeping many traditional hunger games themes alive, but also maintaining and creating a unque film to keep the viewers captivated.
Producer Nina Jacobson said, “Rachel Ziegler’s heroine Lucy,” Jacobson said. “A tribute for District 12, will be nothing like Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss in the original film series”.
A official teaser was released in June, leaving fans on the ultimate cliffhanger.
“You’re invited to return to the Games in 2023,” the clip teased. “The world will discover who is a songbird and who is a snake.”
