Hunger Games Prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Viola Davis is headed to Panem as the head gamemaker in The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

The Lionsgate movie is based on the 2020 book of the same name, which takes place decades before the adventures of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. The prequel story is focused on 18-year-old Snow, who eventually becomes the tyrannical leader of the dystopia known as Panem. In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, hes chosen to be mentor during the 10th Hunger Games, a televised event in which teenagers are chosen via lottery to fight to the death.

Davis, who is playing Volumnia Gaul, the mastermind of the diabolical teen death-match, will star opposite Tom Blyth as young Coriolanus Snow, Rachel Zegler as tribute Lucy Gray Baird, Hunter Schafer as Snows cousin and confidante Tigris Snow and Peter Dinklage as Academy dean Casca Highbottom. The Hunger Games films have always been elevated by their exceptional casting, and we are thrilled to be continuing that tradition with Viola Davis as Volumnia Gaul. Her formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and menace to this story, said Nathan Kahane, president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be helmed by Francis Lawrence, who previously directed the franchises Catching Fire, Mockingjay — Part 1 and Mockingjay — Part 2. The latest draft of the screenplay is by Michael Lesslie (Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender, Assassins Creed). Lesslie builds on the work of Collins and Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine, Catching Fire).

Dr. Gaul is as cruel as she is creative and as fearsome as she is formidable. Snows savvy as a political operator develops in no small part due to his experiences with her as the games most commanding figure, Lawrence said.

Franchise veteran Nina Jacobson and her producing partner Brad Simpson will oversee the newest Hunger Games installment, along with Lawrence. Author Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen and Jim Miller will serve as executive producers. Meredith Wieck and Scott OBrien are overseeing on behalf of Lionsgate.

From the beginning, Viola has been our dream for Dr. Gaul because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role. A brilliant and eccentric strategist, Gaul is instrumental in shaping a young Coriolanus Snow into the man he will become. We are incredibly fortunate to have an actor with Violas extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role, Jacobson said.

Davis is a Tony winner for Fences and King Hedley II, an Oscar winner for Fences and an Emmy winner for How to Get Away With Murder. Her next leading role is in Sonys historical epic The Woman King, which opens in theaters in September. Davis is represented by CAA, Lasher Group, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler, Feldman & Clark.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes debuts in theaters worldwide on Nov. 17, 2023.

Peter Dinklage to Star in Hunger Games Prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. A Westeros legend is making his way to Panem. Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage has been cast as Casca Highbottom in The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Dinklage will star opposite Tom Blyth as young Coriolanus Snow, Rachel Zegler as tribute Lucy Gray Baird and Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow.

The Lionsgate movie is based on the 2020 book of the same name, which is set decades before the adventures of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. The prequel story takes place as an 18-year-old Snow — who eventually becomes the tyrannical leader of the dystopia known as Panem — is chosen to be mentor during the 10th Hunger Games, a televised event in which teenagers are chosen via lottery to fight to the death. Highbottom is the dean of the Academy, where Snow is a student. With production underway, we couldnt be more excited about the way this cast has come together and thrilled to be welcoming Peter Dinklage to Panem, Nathan Kahane, president of Lionsgates Motion Picture Group, said in a statement. Peter is not just a fan favorite actor who brings a commanding presence to every part he plays. He is one of the best actors alive. He will bring a formidable, charismatic authority to the important role of the dean of the Academy.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be helmed by Francis Lawrence, who previously directed the franchises Catching Fire, Mockingjay — Part 1 and Mockingjay — Part 2. Michael Lesslie wrote the screenplay.

Dean Highbottom is one of the most powerful people in Snows life, Lawrence said. As the austere and vindictive face of the games, he sets the rules that will determine every aspect of Coriolanuss fate. Im thrilled that Peter will be bringing him to life.

Franchise producer Nina Jacobson and her producing partner Brad Simpson will oversee the latest Hunger Games installment, along with Lawrence. Author Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen and Jim Miller will serve as executive producers.

I cannot think of an actor more perfectly suited to inhabit the role of Highbottom, Jacobson said. As the man credited with conceiving the Hunger Games and the Dean of the Academy, Casca Highbottom is a character with secrets. Peters magnetism, intensity and dark humor will infuse him with the intelligence, depth and pathos that the role demands.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes debuts in theaters worldwide on Nov. 17, 2023. Deadline first reported that Dinklage had been cast in the film.