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Everything we know about upcoming The Hunger Games prequel - cast, plot, and more

Ready to return to Panem in 2023? Find out more about The Hunger Games prequel

Jennifer Lawrence in Mockingjay Part II
Emmy Griffiths
TV & Film Editor
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TikTok is having a The Hunger Games renaissance at the moment, with the movie franchise returning to popularity on the social media app eight years following the release of the final movie, Mockingjay Part II, and shortly before the upcoming new prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes lands in movie theaters.

So what is the new movie all about? Will Jennifer Lawrence make an appearance? Who are the new stars we will root for in the earlier version of Panem’s villainous hunger games? Find out everything to know here… 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set to be released in November
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set to be released in November

What is The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes about? 

The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins’ novel was released in 2020, and follows the early life of Coriolanus Snow, who eventually becomes the power hungry and despotic President of Panem. However, as a teenager, Coriolanus struggles to hide that his family is destitute for his Academy schoolmates. He will, however, be able to make a fortune if the District 12 girl he is mentoring in the 10th annual Hunger Games, Lucy Gray, wins the competition. As such, he sets out to give her her best chance in this hero-to-villain tale. 

Rachel Zegler is set to star © Getty
Rachel Zegler is set to star in the new prequel

When is The Hunger Games prequel being released? 

The movie will be released on 17 November 2023, almost exactly eight years after the release of Mockingjay Part II - so watch this space! The first teaser trailer has a cheeky reminder about the original film series. 

Who is in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes cast? 

The upcoming movie has a starry cast, including Euphoria star Hunter Schafer as Coriolanus’ cousin, Tigress, Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom, and The Gilded Age actor Tom Blyth as the future President Snow himself. Meanwhile, the future live-action Snow White and West Side Story star Rachel Zegler will play Lucy Gray Baird. 

Tom Blyth in The Gilded Age will be Coriolanus 
© Sky
Tom Blyth in The Gilded Age will be Coriolanus

Jennifer Lawrence's character Katniss Everdeen is not expected to make an appearance, but who knows! Speaking about the remake to New York Times, the Joy star said: "That makes me feel old as mold. I remember being 21 and thinking, "My God, one day they’ll redo and remake them. But I’ll be so old by then! I’ll be dead!'" 

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