Lionsgate is all-in onThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,the highly anticipated prequel to theHunger Gamesseries. Alongside theofficial trailerreleased atCinemaCon 2023, Lionsgate also dropped a new poster for the film, depicting protagonists Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) and Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth).
Whileimages of the pairhave been released before, this new poster depicts Baird and Snow in previously unseen costumes, with Baird appearing to be dressed in garb befitting of a songbird. Snow, meanwhile, wears an ensemble indicative of the president he will one day become. The pair are surrounded by, naturally, a songbird and a snake intertwined on the poster. Plot details regarding the film are still being kept close to the cuff. However, it is known that the film will take place 64 years prior to theJennifer Lawrence-ledHunger Gamesfilms, which themselves are based on the popularbooks of the same name bySuzanne Collins.A partial summary from Lionsgate reads, “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. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from impoverished District 12.”
Previous posters from the project depicted only a songbird and snake intertwined in battle, with these images being the first to actually show characters from the film. However, given that the film is still seven months away from being released, it is likely that this may only be another teaser poster, and that there is still a theatrical release sheet to come. In addition to the posters and summary, the new trailer alsodepicts Zegler and Blyth in actionas their characters for the first time, while also providing a look at a variety of other members of the A-list cast. This includes the intellectual but irritable creator of the Hunger Games, Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage), the head game maker Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis), Snow’s cousin and ally Tigris (Hunter Schaefer), and more.
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While Lionsgate has a number of high-profile features on its roster in 2023, it can probably be argued thatThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesis the most anticipated by fans. Thefirst fourHunger Gamesfilmsbecame pop culture phenomenons upon their release, grossing nearly $3 billion at the worldwide box office and launching Jennifer Lawrence into global superstardom. The upcoming prequel will likely see similar success, especially given its already formidable cast.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesis directed byFrancis Lawrence,who also helmed the last three films in the series. Lawrence directs from a screenplay byMichael LesslieandMichael Arndt.The film is produced by Lawrence,Nina Jacobsen,andBrad Simpsonfor Color Force, Lionsgate’s Good Universe banner,Henning Molfenter, Charlie Woebcken, andChristoph Fisser. Executive producers include Collins,Tim Palen,andJim Miller.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakeswill be released on August 05, 2025. The film’s new poster can be seen below:
