A strong-willed young woman fighting for her life against a motherfricking dragon, that’s all you need to know about Netflix’s Damsel. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Damsel follows the story of a young woman who marries a handsome prince but realizes that it is all a trap when she is thrown into a cave. Now, she must fight and win against the dragon living in the cave to get back to her family and exact her revenge on her soon-to-be ex-in-laws. If you love the fantasy action film here are some similar movies you could watch next.
Ready or Not (Rent on Prime Video & Fubo) Credit – 20th Century Studios
Evil in-laws and a deadly ceremony, that’s what is common in Netflix’s fantasy thriller Damsel and Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin directed horror thriller Ready or Not. The 2019 film follows the story of Grace, who couldn’t...
Ready or Not (Rent on Prime Video & Fubo) Credit – 20th Century Studios
Evil in-laws and a deadly ceremony, that’s what is common in Netflix’s fantasy thriller Damsel and Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin directed horror thriller Ready or Not. The 2019 film follows the story of Grace, who couldn’t...
- 3/16/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Did 12th District tribute Lucy Gray Baird really die at the end of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes?
Rachel Zegler would like to quote Olivia Rodrigo, who provided the end credits song for the $337M-plus grossing fall hit, “Can’t Catch Me Now”: “She’s in the trees, she’s in the breeze.”
“I for one, like to believe she’s alive,” says Zegler.
Zegler was at Deadline’s SXSW studio for her A24 apocalyptic comedy, Y2K, directed by SNL alum Kyle Mooney which made its world premiere in Austin, TX on Saturday night.
Mooney interjected about the potential for a Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2, “I will say she’s in fact, coming back.”
Added Y2K scribe Evan Winter, “She is in the post credits scene of our movie.”
“That will be Kyle Mooney’s movie,” joked Zegler who does not sing...
Rachel Zegler would like to quote Olivia Rodrigo, who provided the end credits song for the $337M-plus grossing fall hit, “Can’t Catch Me Now”: “She’s in the trees, she’s in the breeze.”
“I for one, like to believe she’s alive,” says Zegler.
Zegler was at Deadline’s SXSW studio for her A24 apocalyptic comedy, Y2K, directed by SNL alum Kyle Mooney which made its world premiere in Austin, TX on Saturday night.
Mooney interjected about the potential for a Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2, “I will say she’s in fact, coming back.”
Added Y2K scribe Evan Winter, “She is in the post credits scene of our movie.”
“That will be Kyle Mooney’s movie,” joked Zegler who does not sing...
- 3/11/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s hard to make your mark in an ever-evolving film industry. Hollywood has recently witnessed a string of massive flops, and quite a good portion of them were female-led movies. The most recent examples are The Marvels and Sony’s latest release, Madame Web. Both have received unimpressive reviews and poor box office receipts.
While superhero fatigue is partly to blame, these films have also been criticized way more than other flops, the most common complaint being the “wokeness” that they allegedly possess. After the massive failure of Madame Web, there has been a creative overhaul at their headquarters, which has completely changed their initial plans.
Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web
According to a report by the Twitter account Culture Crave, the entire writers’ room of Silk: Spider Society has been fired, except for the showrunner Angela Kang. Keeping in mind the continuous losses of female-centric movies like The Marvels and Madame Web,...
While superhero fatigue is partly to blame, these films have also been criticized way more than other flops, the most common complaint being the “wokeness” that they allegedly possess. After the massive failure of Madame Web, there has been a creative overhaul at their headquarters, which has completely changed their initial plans.
Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web
According to a report by the Twitter account Culture Crave, the entire writers’ room of Silk: Spider Society has been fired, except for the showrunner Angela Kang. Keeping in mind the continuous losses of female-centric movies like The Marvels and Madame Web,...
- 2/19/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
"Hunger Games" fans returned to Panem in 2023 with the release of the prequel "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," about the teen years of future President Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) and his ill-fated romance with folk musician Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). The movie did well enough at the box office and was mostly praised by critics (/Film's review was more mixed) — but is all that enough for a sequel?
Upon the release of "Ballad" in November 2023, several members of the cast and creative team sat down with People magazine to answer this question. The main takeaway from their answers? It depends on Suzanne Collins, author of "The Hunger Games." For reference, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is adapted from Collins' eponymous novel (published in 2020), and she's given no indication that she's writing a sequel. Without literary source material, there won't be a film sequel either.
"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes...
Upon the release of "Ballad" in November 2023, several members of the cast and creative team sat down with People magazine to answer this question. The main takeaway from their answers? It depends on Suzanne Collins, author of "The Hunger Games." For reference, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is adapted from Collins' eponymous novel (published in 2020), and she's given no indication that she's writing a sequel. Without literary source material, there won't be a film sequel either.
"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes...
- 1/23/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Sam Claflin Is ‘100%’ Open to Returning to ‘The Hunger Games’: ‘I Would Be All in for Finnick’s Dad’
Sam Claflin told Variety that he would be “100%” open to returning to “The Hunger Games” franchise.
Speaking with Marc Malkin during Variety On the Carpet, presented by Directv, Claflin opened up about his reaction to the prequel film “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and the potential for his widely beloved character Finnick to make an appearance in future “Hunger Games” projects.
Though he is willing to return to the dystopian world of Panem, Claflin fears his age might be a detriment: “I don’t know if there’s room for me to go back. I’m too old now.”
The actor did add, however, “I’ve heard rumors that people are asking for a Finnick prequel, and all I’m gonna say is that I would be all in for Finnick’s dad.”
Franchise director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson have stated that they would not want to...
Speaking with Marc Malkin during Variety On the Carpet, presented by Directv, Claflin opened up about his reaction to the prequel film “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and the potential for his widely beloved character Finnick to make an appearance in future “Hunger Games” projects.
Though he is willing to return to the dystopian world of Panem, Claflin fears his age might be a detriment: “I don’t know if there’s room for me to go back. I’m too old now.”
The actor did add, however, “I’ve heard rumors that people are asking for a Finnick prequel, and all I’m gonna say is that I would be all in for Finnick’s dad.”
Franchise director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson have stated that they would not want to...
- 1/16/2024
- by Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Lawrence Once Admitted Dreading Immense Popularity Like Kristen Stewart After The Twilight Saga(Photo Credit –Instagram/IMDb)
Jennifer Lawrence is now one of the highest-paid and most famous Hollywood actresses, but there was a time when she was hesitant about gaining overwhelming fame. She even brought in Kristen Stewart’s reference while explaining her thoughts. Both Jennifer and Kristen earned popularity by doing films based on popular books – The Hunger Games and Twilight, respectively. Keep scrolling for more.
The Hunger Games franchise, starring Jennifer, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth in the lead roles, was based on Suzanne Collins’s best-selling novels. The films earned millions at the box office, with the second installment, Catching Fire, being the most loved film among the series. The Twilight Saga came out four years before the JLaw-led movie in 2008. The supernatural teen romance franchise was a rave among the audience. Additionally, Robert Pattinson...
Jennifer Lawrence is now one of the highest-paid and most famous Hollywood actresses, but there was a time when she was hesitant about gaining overwhelming fame. She even brought in Kristen Stewart’s reference while explaining her thoughts. Both Jennifer and Kristen earned popularity by doing films based on popular books – The Hunger Games and Twilight, respectively. Keep scrolling for more.
The Hunger Games franchise, starring Jennifer, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth in the lead roles, was based on Suzanne Collins’s best-selling novels. The films earned millions at the box office, with the second installment, Catching Fire, being the most loved film among the series. The Twilight Saga came out four years before the JLaw-led movie in 2008. The supernatural teen romance franchise was a rave among the audience. Additionally, Robert Pattinson...
- 1/11/2024
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Jennifer Lawrence may have lost the Golden Globe for female actor in a motion picture comedy or musical, but she provided some of the best moments of the 2024 ceremony. She went viral for mouthing “If I don’t win, I’m leaving!” at the camera when her nomination was announced, and then she generated more headlines for reuniting with her “Hunger Games” co-star Lenny Kravitz while inside the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The two actors starred as Katniss and Cinna, respectively, in “The Hunger Games” (2012) and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013). As Cinna was Katniss’ stylist, the two actors shared many scenes together during production.
Lawrence and Kravitz’ reunion was the latest gift for “Hunger Games” fans, who recently turned the movie prequel, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” into a box office hit last fall. Lawrence told Variety in June during her “No Hard Feelings” press tour...
Lawrence and Kravitz’ reunion was the latest gift for “Hunger Games” fans, who recently turned the movie prequel, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” into a box office hit last fall. Lawrence told Variety in June during her “No Hard Feelings” press tour...
- 1/8/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Lawrence Once Slammed Liam Hemsworth For His Comments On Their Kiss From The Hunger Games (Picture Credit: Facebook)
Liam Hemsworth once called his kiss with Jennifer Lawrence in one of The Hunger Games movies disgusting, which created a not-so-good reputation for the actress. However, she did not let it slide; she reacted to Liam’s claims and blasted him for that. Liam and Jen are excellent friends and have maintained that relationship over the years. The Oscar-winning actress gained popularity after appearing in The Hunger Games franchise, featuring Josh Hutcherson, besides JLaw and Hemsworth.
A few weeks ago, a prequel to the JLaw-led movies was released titled The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. It is the backstory of Coriolanus Snow before he became a tyrant. The films were based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. The first movie in the franchise was released in 2012, and the last one,...
Liam Hemsworth once called his kiss with Jennifer Lawrence in one of The Hunger Games movies disgusting, which created a not-so-good reputation for the actress. However, she did not let it slide; she reacted to Liam’s claims and blasted him for that. Liam and Jen are excellent friends and have maintained that relationship over the years. The Oscar-winning actress gained popularity after appearing in The Hunger Games franchise, featuring Josh Hutcherson, besides JLaw and Hemsworth.
A few weeks ago, a prequel to the JLaw-led movies was released titled The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. It is the backstory of Coriolanus Snow before he became a tyrant. The films were based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. The first movie in the franchise was released in 2012, and the last one,...
- 12/28/2023
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Viola Davis as Dr Volumnia Gaul in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Photo Credit: Murray Close Having directed all of the Hunger Games films since the second, Francis Lawrence had a pretty good idea of what he wanted when the prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, was being cast. And one of those things he wanted was Oscar-winner Viola Davis in the role of Dr. Volumnia Gaul. The only thing standing in the way was a request from the author of the Hunger Games book series, Suzanne Collins, but Lawrence told explained they were able to find a creative way around that issue. (Click on the media bar below to hear Francis Lawrence) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Francis-Lawrence_Viola_Davis_.mp3 The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is now playing in theaters.
The post Bringing Viola Davis...
The post Bringing Viola Davis...
- 12/22/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is coming to digital!
The Hunger Games prequel opened it theaters on November 17 and has made over $145 million domestically and around $290 million worldwide.
Director Francis Lawrence‘s film, based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, stars Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andres Rivera, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, and Jason Schwartzman.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will soon be available to purchase, just in time for the holiday season!
Keep reading to find out more…
Audiences can buy the movie digitally starting on Tuesday (December 19). It will be available through Premium Video on Demand and Premium Electronic Sell-Through.
Purchasing options include Amazon and iTunes/Apple TV.
The prequel takes place 64 years before the main Hunger Games trilogy, focusing on a young Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) who mentors District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler) in the 10th Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games prequel opened it theaters on November 17 and has made over $145 million domestically and around $290 million worldwide.
Director Francis Lawrence‘s film, based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, stars Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andres Rivera, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, and Jason Schwartzman.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will soon be available to purchase, just in time for the holiday season!
Keep reading to find out more…
Audiences can buy the movie digitally starting on Tuesday (December 19). It will be available through Premium Video on Demand and Premium Electronic Sell-Through.
Purchasing options include Amazon and iTunes/Apple TV.
The prequel takes place 64 years before the main Hunger Games trilogy, focusing on a young Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) who mentors District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler) in the 10th Hunger Games.
- 12/18/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
Enter the arena again when “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” arrives on premium video on demand and premium electronic sell-through on Dec. 19 from Lionsgate. The film will be available to buy for $24.99 and to rent for $19.99 on participating digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Vudu.
Based on the Suzanne Collins novel of the same name, the prequel centers on Panem’s President Snow — 64 years before Katniss Everdeen’s games. Tom Blyth’s Coriolanus Snow is an Academy student tasked with mentoring District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, played by Rachel Zegler, in the 10th annual Hunger Games. Their pairing sets off a series of events that force Snow to battle his instincts for good and evil. Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera,...
Enter the arena again when “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” arrives on premium video on demand and premium electronic sell-through on Dec. 19 from Lionsgate. The film will be available to buy for $24.99 and to rent for $19.99 on participating digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Vudu.
Based on the Suzanne Collins novel of the same name, the prequel centers on Panem’s President Snow — 64 years before Katniss Everdeen’s games. Tom Blyth’s Coriolanus Snow is an Academy student tasked with mentoring District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, played by Rachel Zegler, in the 10th annual Hunger Games. Their pairing sets off a series of events that force Snow to battle his instincts for good and evil. Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera,...
- 12/18/2023
- by Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
It’s been over a decade since Suzanne Collins introduced us to the dystopian world of Panem, and yet, the flames of The Hunger Games franchise continue to burn brightly in the hearts of fans worldwide. From its humble beginnings as a novel series to its explosion onto the silver screen, we find ourselves repeatedly drawn back into the struggle of Katniss Everdeen and the oppressed districts. But what is it about this franchise that keeps pulling us back in? Let’s explore the saga’s grip on our collective imagination. The Origin Story of a Phenomenon With Suzanne Collins’ trilogy now hailed...
- 12/11/2023
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Suzanne Collins knows how to write a dystopia. The "Hunger Games" series and its prequel "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," are among the most intense and shocking books released under the "young adult" label this side of the 21st century. They get surprisingly real about topics like Ptsd, propaganda, wealthy inequality, and the slow creep of fascism, presenting all of the above in a compelling, shiny package that's thrilling for both teens and grown-ups alike.
The movie adaptations of "The Hunger Games," for the most part, do all that too, but some entries in the property are certainly better than others. With five films to date in the franchise, each one is essential, but there are actually multiple ways in which to watch them for maximum impact. If you've never seen "The Hunger Games" or are wondering whether it's possible to get started with the prequel first, let us...
The movie adaptations of "The Hunger Games," for the most part, do all that too, but some entries in the property are certainly better than others. With five films to date in the franchise, each one is essential, but there are actually multiple ways in which to watch them for maximum impact. If you've never seen "The Hunger Games" or are wondering whether it's possible to get started with the prequel first, let us...
- 12/9/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Shortly after Halle Bailey and Rachel Zegler were crowned real-life Disney princesses, they met for the first time at a ball — the 2021 Met Gala, to be exact. It was the beginning not only of a beautiful friendship, but of a new era for Disney. Bailey became the first Black Ariel in Rob Marshall’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” based on Disney’s beloved 1989 animated film. Zegler — who used to dress up as Snow White as a little girl — will embody a Latina fairy-tale heroine who befriends seven CGI-created dwarves in 2025’s “Snow White.”
The singer-actors are also showcasing their golden voices in literary adaptations: Bailey, as young Nettie in “The Color Purple”; Zegler, as Lucy Gray Baird in the “Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” Here, Bailey, 23, and Zegler, 22, reflect on their princess experiences and strategies for silencing the social media haters.
Halle Bailey:...
The singer-actors are also showcasing their golden voices in literary adaptations: Bailey, as young Nettie in “The Color Purple”; Zegler, as Lucy Gray Baird in the “Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” Here, Bailey, 23, and Zegler, 22, reflect on their princess experiences and strategies for silencing the social media haters.
Halle Bailey:...
- 12/7/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
Whether you’ve already rushed to the theater to catch the highly anticipated “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” or you’re waiting until you’re back home for the holidays to catch the anticipated prequel film with your family, now is the perfect time to binge the iconic trilogy.
The “Hunger Games” franchise technically consists of four films: “The Hunger Games (2012), “Catching Fire” (2013), “Mockingjay – Part 1” (2014), “Mockingjay – Part 2” (2015) and now “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” starring Rachel Zegler. While the prequel film is not available to stream yet, the first four films are all accessible online.
The best way to stream the first three “Hunger Games” movies is on Peacock, which currently offers a 3-day free trial — that means if you can binge the first...
Whether you’ve already rushed to the theater to catch the highly anticipated “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” or you’re waiting until you’re back home for the holidays to catch the anticipated prequel film with your family, now is the perfect time to binge the iconic trilogy.
The “Hunger Games” franchise technically consists of four films: “The Hunger Games (2012), “Catching Fire” (2013), “Mockingjay – Part 1” (2014), “Mockingjay – Part 2” (2015) and now “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” starring Rachel Zegler. While the prequel film is not available to stream yet, the first four films are all accessible online.
The best way to stream the first three “Hunger Games” movies is on Peacock, which currently offers a 3-day free trial — that means if you can binge the first...
- 12/5/2023
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
With Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” looking to continue its reign at the top spot of the box office, it’s time to consider the most sonorous secret to its success: its original, bluegrass-tinted song selection, including a theme written and produced by Dave Cobb (with lyrics from “Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins), and sung soulfully by the film’s star, Rachel Zegler.
Reaching back to the 2020 prequel novel by Suzanne Collins that the movie is based on, Zegler points out how clearly Appalachian Lucy was, and how her accent exists in that vernacular throughout the duration of the novel, something that was destined to carry over into the music.
“District 12, where we exist canonically, lies in North Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains,” says Zegler, speaking from New York. “I’m glad Francis wanted to explore that — he even sent me the trailer for...
Reaching back to the 2020 prequel novel by Suzanne Collins that the movie is based on, Zegler points out how clearly Appalachian Lucy was, and how her accent exists in that vernacular throughout the duration of the novel, something that was destined to carry over into the music.
“District 12, where we exist canonically, lies in North Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains,” says Zegler, speaking from New York. “I’m glad Francis wanted to explore that — he even sent me the trailer for...
- 12/1/2023
- by A.D. Amorosi
- Variety Film + TV
Updated: Benchmarks we should celebrate as the marketplace looks to rebound after dual strikes that sidelined the box office: Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes has crossed the $100M mark at the domestic box office yesterday in its 11th day of release. We also here the movie crossed $100M abroad yesterday so total global on Songbirds & Snakes is $200M.
The movie is the second for Lionsgate this year after John Wick: Chapter 4 to cross the century mark, that pic doing so in eight days. Songbirds & Snakes is also the 23rd movie in 2023 to cross $100M. Last year in 2022, there were only 18 films to gross north of $100M.
Yesterday, Songbirds & Snakes grossed $1.9M, -71% off from Sunday’s $6.6M. The Francis Lawrence directed prequel; the helmer’s fourth film in the Suzanne Collins series, surprised over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, reigning as the No. 1 champ with...
The movie is the second for Lionsgate this year after John Wick: Chapter 4 to cross the century mark, that pic doing so in eight days. Songbirds & Snakes is also the 23rd movie in 2023 to cross $100M. Last year in 2022, there were only 18 films to gross north of $100M.
Yesterday, Songbirds & Snakes grossed $1.9M, -71% off from Sunday’s $6.6M. The Francis Lawrence directed prequel; the helmer’s fourth film in the Suzanne Collins series, surprised over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, reigning as the No. 1 champ with...
- 11/29/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The most exciting thing about the Hunger Games, citizens of the Capitol would probably argue, is that anyone can win. The first "Hunger Games" movie saw the strongest, fastest tributes, who had volunteered for the games and specifically trained for them, outranked by Peeta Mellark, whose main skill was disguising himself as a rock.
2023's Thanksgiving box office brawl has been similarly thrilling, even if there haven't been any violent deaths (yet). Though "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" was expected to be ousted by Disney's "Wish," it's now on track to keep the No. 1 spot for a second weekend.
"Songbirds & Snakes" got off to quite a muted start last weekend, with a franchise-low $44.6 million opening, but it has held strong amid a rush of new releases from studios eager to capitalize on the holiday box office. The "Hunger Games" prequel grossed a combined $13.2 million over Wednesday...
2023's Thanksgiving box office brawl has been similarly thrilling, even if there haven't been any violent deaths (yet). Though "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" was expected to be ousted by Disney's "Wish," it's now on track to keep the No. 1 spot for a second weekend.
"Songbirds & Snakes" got off to quite a muted start last weekend, with a franchise-low $44.6 million opening, but it has held strong amid a rush of new releases from studios eager to capitalize on the holiday box office. The "Hunger Games" prequel grossed a combined $13.2 million over Wednesday...
- 11/25/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Director Francis Lawrence first came to the “Hunger Games” franchise in 2013 for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” and he’s helmed every movie in the series since. His latest entry is “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” the fifth film in the franchise and Lawrence’s fourth. Set over 60 years before the events of the first film, “Songbirds and Snakes” retains the spirit of the earlier movies while crafting its own aesthetic. As Lawrence told IndieWire’s Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, its prequel status meant he wasn’t beholden to anything previously established in the series.
“I think that gave us the freedom to take it in a very different direction aesthetically,” Lawrence said. “It’s, in essence, a period piece.” Lawrence and his department heads took their cues from reconstruction-era Berlin for the visual design, which is given an added layer of verisimilitude by the fact that...
“I think that gave us the freedom to take it in a very different direction aesthetically,” Lawrence said. “It’s, in essence, a period piece.” Lawrence and his department heads took their cues from reconstruction-era Berlin for the visual design, which is given an added layer of verisimilitude by the fact that...
- 11/21/2023
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Warning: This podcast contains spoilers about the ending of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
“In 2015, we thought she was done.”
That’s what filmmaker Francis Lawrence thought about the finale of the $3 billion-plus grossing The Hunger Games franchise with Mockingjay Part 2, that is until author Suzanne Collins gave him and series pic producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson a heads up in late 2019 that a prequel manuscript set 64 years before the original film, and focusing in on the origin story of main baddie Coriolanus Snow, was coming their way.
Director Francis Lawrence in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
But rather than just more bows and arrows and fierce arena battles, there was a whole other sublime element to the prequel and that was in its country music underpinnings, taking inspiration from the early turn-of-the-century Bluegrass and folksy sounds that draw their lineage from Scotland,...
“In 2015, we thought she was done.”
That’s what filmmaker Francis Lawrence thought about the finale of the $3 billion-plus grossing The Hunger Games franchise with Mockingjay Part 2, that is until author Suzanne Collins gave him and series pic producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson a heads up in late 2019 that a prequel manuscript set 64 years before the original film, and focusing in on the origin story of main baddie Coriolanus Snow, was coming their way.
Director Francis Lawrence in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
But rather than just more bows and arrows and fierce arena battles, there was a whole other sublime element to the prequel and that was in its country music underpinnings, taking inspiration from the early turn-of-the-century Bluegrass and folksy sounds that draw their lineage from Scotland,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Photo: Lionsgate
With the release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, Lionsgate has used up the last of the source material that fed one of its most popular IPs. The Hunger Games book trilogy by Suzanne Collins yielded a series of four successful films, ending in...
With the release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, Lionsgate has used up the last of the source material that fed one of its most popular IPs. The Hunger Games book trilogy by Suzanne Collins yielded a series of four successful films, ending in...
- 11/20/2023
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
“The Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is nearing the $100 million mark worldwide after three days of release.
Those ticket sales, including $44 million in North America and $54.5 million internationally, were enough to top the box office. But they didn’t come close to recapturing the glory of the original “Hunger Games” franchise, which launched Jennifer Lawerence to stardom and collectively grossed $3 billion globally. The first four installments, released between 2012 and 2015, each generated at least $100 million domestically and $200 million globally in their respective opening weekends.
“We were a little lighter [than projections] domestically and a little over [projections] internationally, so we’re thrilled with the result,” says Adam Fogelson, vice chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “It’ll be a great business result for the studio.”
Analysts agree “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is well positioned, financially speaking, in its theatrical run. It cost $100 million to produce, more than the first “Hunger Games,...
Those ticket sales, including $44 million in North America and $54.5 million internationally, were enough to top the box office. But they didn’t come close to recapturing the glory of the original “Hunger Games” franchise, which launched Jennifer Lawerence to stardom and collectively grossed $3 billion globally. The first four installments, released between 2012 and 2015, each generated at least $100 million domestically and $200 million globally in their respective opening weekends.
“We were a little lighter [than projections] domestically and a little over [projections] internationally, so we’re thrilled with the result,” says Adam Fogelson, vice chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “It’ll be a great business result for the studio.”
Analysts agree “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is well positioned, financially speaking, in its theatrical run. It cost $100 million to produce, more than the first “Hunger Games,...
- 11/19/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
There are a multitude of ways to incorporate characters singing on screen in a film. Traditionally, the actors record the tracks separately from their on-set line delivery and lip-sync during the actual filming, as shown with Ryan Gosling and his army of Kens in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" movie for "I'm Just Ken." But every once in a while, a filmmaker will elect to record the raw, on-set delivery of a vocal performance. Director Tom Hooper took this route with both "Les Miserables" and "Cats," with ... one turning out infinitely better than the other. There are pros and cons to both approaches, but the second option is exponentially riskier. And yet, "Hunger Games" franchise director Francis Lawrence went that route on "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" with star Rachel Zegler's performance as Lucy Gray Baird.
In the book as well as in the movie, Lucy Gray Baird is a performer.
In the book as well as in the movie, Lucy Gray Baird is a performer.
- 11/19/2023
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
With the latest "Hunger Games" movie, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," now out in theaters, viewers might be wondering: Is this the last one? There are still 73 in-universe Hunger Games we've never seen, after all, so presumably there's plenty more storytelling material to squeeze out of the franchise. What about a movie focused on the character Finnick's Hunger Games? Or maybe one so long ago that viewers don't know who'll win, bringing us back to the genuine suspense and unpredictability of the original book?
Director Francis Lawrence, who's stuck with the "Hunger Games" films since "Catching Fire," would happily make another one. But as he explained to /Film's Jacob Hall, he just has one condition:
"I have to wait for [author] Suzanne [Collins]. [...] I just love that she comes up with something thematic and then writes from there. And so it feels like it has just a reason to exist. And...
Director Francis Lawrence, who's stuck with the "Hunger Games" films since "Catching Fire," would happily make another one. But as he explained to /Film's Jacob Hall, he just has one condition:
"I have to wait for [author] Suzanne [Collins]. [...] I just love that she comes up with something thematic and then writes from there. And so it feels like it has just a reason to exist. And...
- 11/19/2023
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
The odds were ever in favor of “The Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which emerged victorious in a busy box office weekend despite opening slightly behind expectations.
The Lionsgate film, which brings audiences back to the dystopia of Panem for the first time in nearly a decade, collected $44 million from 3,776 North American theaters and $98 million globally in its first weekend of release. Those initial ticket sales didn’t recapture the spark of the original franchise, which propelled Jennifer Lawerence to global stardom and inspired three sequels. But they were enough to win the weekend over three fellow newcomers, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s threequel “Trolls Band Together,” Sony’s gory thriller “Thanksgiving” and director Taika Waititi’s sports comedy “Next Goal Wins.”
With the glut of new offerings, ticket sales for Disney’s superhero sequel “The Marvels” cratered by 78% to land another ignominious record: the biggest...
The Lionsgate film, which brings audiences back to the dystopia of Panem for the first time in nearly a decade, collected $44 million from 3,776 North American theaters and $98 million globally in its first weekend of release. Those initial ticket sales didn’t recapture the spark of the original franchise, which propelled Jennifer Lawerence to global stardom and inspired three sequels. But they were enough to win the weekend over three fellow newcomers, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s threequel “Trolls Band Together,” Sony’s gory thriller “Thanksgiving” and director Taika Waititi’s sports comedy “Next Goal Wins.”
With the glut of new offerings, ticket sales for Disney’s superhero sequel “The Marvels” cratered by 78% to land another ignominious record: the biggest...
- 11/19/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Update, Sunday Am Writethru Final: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is coming in at the bottom of where we were seeing it yesterday, with a $44M opening. The hope was that this Suzanne Collins prequel was bound to file $50M+. Overseas was better at $54.5M, for a $98.5M Global opening.
Saturday stateside for Songbirds & Snakes was $15M, coming off of a $19.1M Friday, -21%, with a Sunday projected of $9.9M.
There is some great word of mouth for the movie among the under-25 female crowd, which could help the pic during the Thanksgiving stretch. However, this film was frontloaded, à la any YA movie aimed at women. That said, two types of movies work over Thanksgiving: Family and PG-13 aimed at a fervent demo. Songbirds and Snakes falls into the latter category.
After The Marvels posted a franchise low for the Marvel Cinematic Universe of $46.1M,...
Saturday stateside for Songbirds & Snakes was $15M, coming off of a $19.1M Friday, -21%, with a Sunday projected of $9.9M.
There is some great word of mouth for the movie among the under-25 female crowd, which could help the pic during the Thanksgiving stretch. However, this film was frontloaded, à la any YA movie aimed at women. That said, two types of movies work over Thanksgiving: Family and PG-13 aimed at a fervent demo. Songbirds and Snakes falls into the latter category.
After The Marvels posted a franchise low for the Marvel Cinematic Universe of $46.1M,...
- 11/19/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Do external influences like environment and situations factor more in shaping a person’s entire worldview? Or is it the inherent willingness to give in to a side—freedom of choice—that plays the decisive role? The prequel feature of the Hunger Games trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, adapted from the novel of the same name written by Suzanne Collins, asks these age-old questions as it traces back the origins of Coriolanus Snow, the former President of Panem whose reign of tyranny was ended by ‘Mockingjay’ Katniss Everdeen and her comrades.
The key attractions of the main Hunger Games series were how the central class conflict intrigue was showcased through interesting characters, theatrical flair, unique dystopian world-building, and the brutal yet vivid open-world battle royale signifying the titular game. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, however, misses out on most of these aspects in its effort to jam-pack...
The key attractions of the main Hunger Games series were how the central class conflict intrigue was showcased through interesting characters, theatrical flair, unique dystopian world-building, and the brutal yet vivid open-world battle royale signifying the titular game. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, however, misses out on most of these aspects in its effort to jam-pack...
- 11/19/2023
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes brought us back to the world of Panem, and fans of the franchise are likely wondering if there is more content on the way.
The answer is not immediately clear. If you were unaware, the latest movie is based on a prequel novel written by author Suzanne Collins. As a result, it focused on a specific story, which did play out in the first movie.
However, the movie’s director and producer both had an idea for a sequel, and it would focus on one specific relationship.
Read more about the chances for a sequel to the Hunger Games prequel movie…
Speaking to People, director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson teased that they would like to focus on the relationship between Tigris (Hunter Schafer) and President Snow (Tom Blyth).
If you were unaware, the pair are cousins, who have a...
The answer is not immediately clear. If you were unaware, the latest movie is based on a prequel novel written by author Suzanne Collins. As a result, it focused on a specific story, which did play out in the first movie.
However, the movie’s director and producer both had an idea for a sequel, and it would focus on one specific relationship.
Read more about the chances for a sequel to the Hunger Games prequel movie…
Speaking to People, director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson teased that they would like to focus on the relationship between Tigris (Hunter Schafer) and President Snow (Tom Blyth).
If you were unaware, the pair are cousins, who have a...
- 11/19/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Rachel Zegler stars in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and recently recalled an encounter she had with Og star Jennifer Lawrence.
While making an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Zegler opened up about meeting Lawrence during the Christian Dior runway show at Paris Fashion Week.
“I didn’t want to be weird. I was just kind of psyching myself up to talk to her. She was so unbelievably kind,” Zegler said of being the only cast member of the prequel film to have met Lawrence.
From that encounter, a photo of Zegler and Lawrence went viral and the West Side Story alum explained what was really going on in the image.
“In that clip, [Jennifer is] actually saying, ‘Let’s do another photo where I’m strangling you and saying you’ll never take my part!’ And that’s exactly what I wanted from her,” Zegler explained.
While making an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Zegler opened up about meeting Lawrence during the Christian Dior runway show at Paris Fashion Week.
“I didn’t want to be weird. I was just kind of psyching myself up to talk to her. She was so unbelievably kind,” Zegler said of being the only cast member of the prequel film to have met Lawrence.
From that encounter, a photo of Zegler and Lawrence went viral and the West Side Story alum explained what was really going on in the image.
“In that clip, [Jennifer is] actually saying, ‘Let’s do another photo where I’m strangling you and saying you’ll never take my part!’ And that’s exactly what I wanted from her,” Zegler explained.
- 11/18/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Directed by Francis Lawrence, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the brand new prequel to The Hunger Games saga (2012-2015). It is set just over 60 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteers as a tribute in the 74th Hunger Games. The film follows Coriolanus Snow, who fans may know to later in the series become the President. The Ballad is his origin story, and in a way, that of the Games as an annual televised child bloodbath. The prequel was based on a book by Suzanne Collins, published in 2020. Everything takes place in a dystopian country called Panem, divided into 12 districts and a flourishing Capitol. As a result of a district uprising, the Capitol devises the Hunger Games. Once a...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/18/2023
- Screen Anarchy
“Hunger Games” prequel film “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is full of references to the four films that come after it, but the biggest connection between this movie and those is musical.
As sourced in Suzanne Collins’ prequel novel, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) wrote “The Hanging Tree” inspired by historical events in District 12, which she and Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) both witnessed. The song takes on more meaning when imbued with the backstory of Panem and how President Snow came to be as the Hunger Games also developed.
“Hunger Games” fans will remember it’s a song that Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen sings in “Mockingjay.” Producer Nina Jacobson, who has produced all the “Hunger Games” movies, told TheWrap that music is key to this franchise.
“What I loved was that this adaptation really made me think about how critical music has always been to these movies. I...
As sourced in Suzanne Collins’ prequel novel, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) wrote “The Hanging Tree” inspired by historical events in District 12, which she and Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) both witnessed. The song takes on more meaning when imbued with the backstory of Panem and how President Snow came to be as the Hunger Games also developed.
“Hunger Games” fans will remember it’s a song that Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen sings in “Mockingjay.” Producer Nina Jacobson, who has produced all the “Hunger Games” movies, told TheWrap that music is key to this franchise.
“What I loved was that this adaptation really made me think about how critical music has always been to these movies. I...
- 11/17/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Rachel Zegler is the new face of the “Hunger Games” franchise thanks to her role as Lucy Gray Baird in the prequel “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” During a recent visit to “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Zegler recalled what it was like meeting Jennifer Lawrence for the first time. Lawrence headlined the original four “Hunger Games” films as Katniss Everdeen, a role that turned the Oscar-winner into a global superstar.
“We were at Paris Fashion Week for the Dior show only a couple weeks ago,” Zegler said about her first encounter with Lawrence. “I didn’t want to be weird. I was just kind of psyching myself up to talk to her. She was so unbelievably kind.”
Clarkson threw to a clip from the event in which Zegler and Lawrence embraced while posing for photos together. Zegler could be seen laughing. What was so funny?
“In that clip,...
“We were at Paris Fashion Week for the Dior show only a couple weeks ago,” Zegler said about her first encounter with Lawrence. “I didn’t want to be weird. I was just kind of psyching myself up to talk to her. She was so unbelievably kind.”
Clarkson threw to a clip from the event in which Zegler and Lawrence embraced while posing for photos together. Zegler could be seen laughing. What was so funny?
“In that clip,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
This article contains major The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes spoilers.
What ever happened to Lucy Gray?
It is a question that haunted Coriolanus Snow at the end of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and which is likely to haunt him still when, as an old man with absolute power, he sees Katniss wear a dress that catches fire. We suspect some audiences will wonder too about the fate of Lucy Gray Baird, who is ambiguously played by Rachel Zegler. Of course that is the point.
As Peter Dinklage’s self-loathing Dean Casca Highbottom taunts young Corio (an also eerily haunting Tom Blyth), it is the mysteries we cannot solve which drive us mad. For Casca, that mystery is revealed to be finding a way to make the Hunger Games end. He invented the concept of the Games as a cruel drape—a drunken answer to...
What ever happened to Lucy Gray?
It is a question that haunted Coriolanus Snow at the end of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and which is likely to haunt him still when, as an old man with absolute power, he sees Katniss wear a dress that catches fire. We suspect some audiences will wonder too about the fate of Lucy Gray Baird, who is ambiguously played by Rachel Zegler. Of course that is the point.
As Peter Dinklage’s self-loathing Dean Casca Highbottom taunts young Corio (an also eerily haunting Tom Blyth), it is the mysteries we cannot solve which drive us mad. For Casca, that mystery is revealed to be finding a way to make the Hunger Games end. He invented the concept of the Games as a cruel drape—a drunken answer to...
- 11/17/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
‘Hunger Games: Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes’: Spotify A Key Partner In Country Music Infused Prequel
Exclusive: Music has continually been a facet of Lionsgate’s $3 billion Hunger Games franchise going back to ditties from Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Lorde, and with today’s theatrical release of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the studio teamed with Spotify for a multi-faceted partnership that shines a spotlight on music’s legacy in the Suzanne Collins franchise.
As part of the pic’s campaign, the studio and Spotify are diving deep into that musical history of the film. Featuring explorations of the previous and new soundtracks, the partnership is highlighted by an opening day (November 17) bespoke “Sounds from Panem” destination available globally including the Hunger Games Official Playlist featuring songs from the new film’s soundtrack, and other playlists inspired by the film like Spotify’s Front Porch playlist. There’s also a Hunger Games audiobooks shelf available in the United States, Canada,...
As part of the pic’s campaign, the studio and Spotify are diving deep into that musical history of the film. Featuring explorations of the previous and new soundtracks, the partnership is highlighted by an opening day (November 17) bespoke “Sounds from Panem” destination available globally including the Hunger Games Official Playlist featuring songs from the new film’s soundtrack, and other playlists inspired by the film like Spotify’s Front Porch playlist. There’s also a Hunger Games audiobooks shelf available in the United States, Canada,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” began its domestic box office sprint with $5.75 million in Thursday preview showings. That’s well below, understandably, the $16 million earned via preview showings of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II” in November of 2015. However, it’s on par with the first two “Divergent” films earned in their respective Thursday preview showings, $4.9 million in 2014 and $4.1 million in 2015. Both Shailene Woodley-starring sci-fi fantasies opened above $50 million in their respective opening weekends. That’s the hope for this Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth-starring prequel to the blockbuster Jennifer Lawrence-starring “Hunger Games” quadrilogy.
The film deals with the backstory of how eventual President Snow (played by Tom Blyth) tried to follow the side of righteousness amid an authoritarian regime that had smashed the hopes of his once powerful family. Snow finds himself as a mentor to District 12 contestant Lucy Grey (Rachel Zegler...
The film deals with the backstory of how eventual President Snow (played by Tom Blyth) tried to follow the side of righteousness amid an authoritarian regime that had smashed the hopes of his once powerful family. Snow finds himself as a mentor to District 12 contestant Lucy Grey (Rachel Zegler...
- 11/17/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Welcome back to the “Hunger Games,” and may the box office odds be ever in your favor.
The latest movie in the Lionsgate YA action franchise, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” has made $5.75 million in previews at the box office. The prequel expected to make around $50 million in its debut this weekend, with some prediction as high as $60 million and some lower at $45 million.
“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” directed by Francis Lawrence and based on the 2020 novel of the same name by “Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins, is the franchise’s first movie in eight years. It jumps back more than 60 years to show what happened at the 10th Hunger Games and follows a young Corioloanus Snow, who would later become president of Panem and make Katniss Everdeen’s life miserable.
The prequel won’t reach the same heights that the original, massively popular...
The latest movie in the Lionsgate YA action franchise, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” has made $5.75 million in previews at the box office. The prequel expected to make around $50 million in its debut this weekend, with some prediction as high as $60 million and some lower at $45 million.
“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” directed by Francis Lawrence and based on the 2020 novel of the same name by “Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins, is the franchise’s first movie in eight years. It jumps back more than 60 years to show what happened at the 10th Hunger Games and follows a young Corioloanus Snow, who would later become president of Panem and make Katniss Everdeen’s life miserable.
The prequel won’t reach the same heights that the original, massively popular...
- 11/17/2023
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
So what’s one of the biggest complaints about modern movies (aside from pricey concession snacks)? Much of the grumbling concerns the many sequels to successful films, often leading to a franchise. Last week we had The Marvels and there’s another Trolls romp bouncing into the multiplex this weekend. In a bit of convoluted logic, many studio execs may think, “If you’re sick of sequels, how about a prequel, instead?”. Yes, it’s semantics but it’s a way of bringing in fans of the original while not having to pay the big salaries of those older pricier casts. Now, we’ve got that “master candy maker” waiting in the wings to spruce his chocolate factory right before Christmas, and for Thanksgiving, we’re going back to that dreary dystopian future of a quartet of flicks we thought had concluded eight years ago. But since the author of...
- 11/16/2023
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The book The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, written by Suzanne Collins, has been adapted for the screen by director Francis Lawrence, alongside screenwriters Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt. The film delves into the chillingly formative years of Panem, a society not yet inured to the brutality of its central spectacle. This prequel, starkly contrasting its YA predecessors, morphs into a harrowing adult political thriller, unraveling the genesis of the Hunger Games with a disturbingly poignant lens — that is, when it can get out of its own way.
The film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman and Hunter Schafer.
The film starts during the dark days before the first Hunger Games. Two children, Coriolanus (Dexter Sol Ansell) and Tigris (Rosa Gotzler) are running for their lives in a snowy Panem. They arrive at the home of their grandmother and receive news that...
The film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman and Hunter Schafer.
The film starts during the dark days before the first Hunger Games. Two children, Coriolanus (Dexter Sol Ansell) and Tigris (Rosa Gotzler) are running for their lives in a snowy Panem. They arrive at the home of their grandmother and receive news that...
- 11/15/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Tom Blyth is tired, but he’s doing a good job of hiding it. When the star of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” sits down with Variety via Zoom, SAG-AFTRA is still on strike, and it’s been six short days since the Lionsgate thriller received an in- terim agreement from the guild.
That means the press tour leading up to the long-anticipated release, typically spread across several months, has been condensed to just two weeks. But Blyth is animated as he talks about landing the role of Coriolanus Snow in the prequel tale, which explores how a poor young man with a revolutionary spirit eventually becomes the vicious dictator of Panem.
“When I got the call, I was ec- static for a moment,” recalls Blyth, 28, who is best known as the titular character in the MGM+ series “Billy the Kid.” “And then I was like,...
That means the press tour leading up to the long-anticipated release, typically spread across several months, has been condensed to just two weeks. But Blyth is animated as he talks about landing the role of Coriolanus Snow in the prequel tale, which explores how a poor young man with a revolutionary spirit eventually becomes the vicious dictator of Panem.
“When I got the call, I was ec- static for a moment,” recalls Blyth, 28, who is best known as the titular character in the MGM+ series “Billy the Kid.” “And then I was like,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
“Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is expected to emerge victorious in this weekend’s box office battle royale.
It’s competing against two fellow newcomers, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s threequel “Trolls Band Together” and Sony’s gory thriller “Thanksgiving,” in this crowded pre-Turkey Day corridor. Despite the stacked race, all three films could work as counter-programming against each other and carve out solid box office receipts. That may not be the case for last weekend’s champion, Disney’s $220 million budgeted superhero sequel “The Marvels.” After a disappointing $47 million debut, the comic book tentpole is bracing for a 50-55% drop, which puts ticket sales around $21 million to $23 million in its sophomore outing.
With a lackluster turnout expected for “The Marvels,” “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” will lead in North America with at least $50 million in its first weekend of release. Tracking, however, has suggested...
It’s competing against two fellow newcomers, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s threequel “Trolls Band Together” and Sony’s gory thriller “Thanksgiving,” in this crowded pre-Turkey Day corridor. Despite the stacked race, all three films could work as counter-programming against each other and carve out solid box office receipts. That may not be the case for last weekend’s champion, Disney’s $220 million budgeted superhero sequel “The Marvels.” After a disappointing $47 million debut, the comic book tentpole is bracing for a 50-55% drop, which puts ticket sales around $21 million to $23 million in its sophomore outing.
With a lackluster turnout expected for “The Marvels,” “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” will lead in North America with at least $50 million in its first weekend of release. Tracking, however, has suggested...
- 11/15/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
There is something to be said about the cycle of sci-fi films made in the late 1960s and early ‘70s. While the decades to come would be defined by Star Wars pew-pews, for a little while there, the genre was fixated almost wholly on grim cynicism, downbeat endings, and unadulterated dystopia. I’m a sucker for all that jazz, even when it’s at its silliest. That would be your “Soylent Green is people!” films or the sequels to Chuck Heston crying, “Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!” This could also explain why I sat with a smile for nearly all 157 minutes of Francis Lawrence’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. It’s grandiose, kooky, and sometimes cruel. But despite being adapted from a YA book, this gray universe imagined by Suzanne Collins still feels refreshingly adult in our own modern multiplex land of bread and circuses.
- 11/15/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
It would’ve been so easy, and likely lucrative, for Lionsgate to craft a prequel to The Hunger Games that just let newcomer Tom Blyth, as young Coriolanus Snow, smolder his way through a forbidden romance with Rachel Zegler’s District 12 songstress Lucy Gray for two hours and call it a day. But nothing about Francis Lawrence’s The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is easy. Channeling Adam Driver more often than Donald Sutherland, Blyth’s version of Snow is a towering, asexual vulture of desperate ambitions, stemming from the character’s family flirting with complete bankruptcy and his education at a fascist prep school where graduation is dependent on what boils down to a school-wide game of Who Wants to Be a Eugenicist.
The school’s opioid-addicted headmaster, Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage), announces that graduation is dependent on mentoring a Hunger Games tribute in the fine art of public relations.
The school’s opioid-addicted headmaster, Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage), announces that graduation is dependent on mentoring a Hunger Games tribute in the fine art of public relations.
- 11/15/2023
- by Justin Clark
- Slant Magazine
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes might be dressed up like a prequel in its early roots story of villain-to-be Coriolanus Snow, and some might think that Rachel Zegler’s Lucy Gray Baird is just an early days Katniss from District 12.
However, those hasty generalizations would rob the film of its sublime uniqueness, for at its core this sci-fi political action thriller has the underpinnings of a sublime romantic country western musical, and when you finally see it, you’ll get what we mean.
Setting this Hunger Games by filmmaker Francis Lawrence apart from his last three with Jennifer Lawrence are the raw and rugged, rural Scottish and Irish influenced ballads sung by Rachel Zegler’s Lucy, who is a member of the Covey, a traveling musician group.
Beamed actor Tom Blyth about Lucy’s songs at the Los Angeles Premiere last night for the Lionsgate movie which opens on Nov.
However, those hasty generalizations would rob the film of its sublime uniqueness, for at its core this sci-fi political action thriller has the underpinnings of a sublime romantic country western musical, and when you finally see it, you’ll get what we mean.
Setting this Hunger Games by filmmaker Francis Lawrence apart from his last three with Jennifer Lawrence are the raw and rugged, rural Scottish and Irish influenced ballads sung by Rachel Zegler’s Lucy, who is a member of the Covey, a traveling musician group.
Beamed actor Tom Blyth about Lucy’s songs at the Los Angeles Premiere last night for the Lionsgate movie which opens on Nov.
- 11/14/2023
- by Katie Campione and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Olivia Rodrigo is contributing her music to the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes with “Can’t Catch Me Now.”
The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum attended the premiere of the film in L.A. as her music video also dropped.
The “Can’t Catch Me Now” video was directed by award-winning director Leonn Ward of Rsa’s Black Dog Films. This is the first time that Rodrigo contributes to a film’s soundtrack, a song she penned with producer Daniel Nigro who has been working with the singer-songwriter on her album Guts.
Rodrigo’s song will be part of the 17-track album that is being released on Nov. 17 and which will also include songs by star Rachel Zegler, Flatland Cavalry, Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell, Bella White and Charles Godwin.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is...
The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum attended the premiere of the film in L.A. as her music video also dropped.
The “Can’t Catch Me Now” video was directed by award-winning director Leonn Ward of Rsa’s Black Dog Films. This is the first time that Rodrigo contributes to a film’s soundtrack, a song she penned with producer Daniel Nigro who has been working with the singer-songwriter on her album Guts.
Rodrigo’s song will be part of the 17-track album that is being released on Nov. 17 and which will also include songs by star Rachel Zegler, Flatland Cavalry, Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell, Bella White and Charles Godwin.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is...
- 11/14/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes cast had a lot say about their upcoming movie!
At a press conference held on Sunday (November 12), stars Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schafer, and Josh Andrés Rivera detailed what it meant to be part of upcoming Hunger Games prequel movie, what drew them to their characters, and much more!
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is based on the 2020 novel written by Suzanne Collins. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the movie will open in theaters on November 17. Watch the trailer here!
Continue through the slideshow to read all the highlights from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes cast…...
At a press conference held on Sunday (November 12), stars Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schafer, and Josh Andrés Rivera detailed what it meant to be part of upcoming Hunger Games prequel movie, what drew them to their characters, and much more!
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is based on the 2020 novel written by Suzanne Collins. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the movie will open in theaters on November 17. Watch the trailer here!
Continue through the slideshow to read all the highlights from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes cast…...
- 11/14/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
After nearly a decade, one of the biggest YA franchises is making its return to the big screen. Lionsgate couldn't have jumped faster when author Suzanne Collins announced a prequel novel to her smash hit "Hunger Games" series, with the studio cutting a deal to turn the book into a movie in the blink of an eye. That movie is now upon us in the form of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." Taking place decades before the original films, the prequel is focused on a young Coriolanus Snow. The question is, do audiences care as much without Katniss Everdeen out front and center? Can this movie recapture some of that box office magic from years past?
"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is eyeing an opening weekend in the $50 million range, according to tracking numbers provided by Deadline. That is pretty much in line with the folks at Box Office Pro,...
"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is eyeing an opening weekend in the $50 million range, according to tracking numbers provided by Deadline. That is pretty much in line with the folks at Box Office Pro,...
- 11/11/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Francis Lawrence was intrigued by the "villain origin story" of 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'.The 52-year-old filmmaker is helming the prequel movie that explores the rise of Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) before he became the tyrannical President of Panem and loved crafting a new story for the project.Francis told Collider: "I really fell in love with doing a villain's origin story and I also love world creation movies. To go back 64 years and be able to really recreate this world in a much more rudimentary sense."The director explained that he enjoyed getting the chance to collaborate with author Suzanne Collins and producer Nina Jacobson once again after helming three of the previous movies.Quizzed on the appeal of returning to the dystopian franchise, Francis said: "Part of it is honestly working with the people, working with Suzanne again, with Nina again."I...
- 11/11/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
As evidenced in its title, music plays a big part in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”
In the prequel to the original trilogy, “West Side Story” star Rachel Zegler portrays Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12 for the 10th annual Hunger Games, who hails from a musical and nomadic people called the Covey. The film features Zegler singing several songs, including franchise favorite “The Hanging Tree.” Much of the music is folk-inspired, and Zegler sang each track live during filming. At the film’s London premiere — which came one day after SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative deal with the AMPTP to end the actors strike — Zegler told Variety who inspired her when it came to developing Lucy Gray’s voice.
“We channeled a bunch of people: Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to name a few. That was really the voice that we were trying to find,...
In the prequel to the original trilogy, “West Side Story” star Rachel Zegler portrays Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12 for the 10th annual Hunger Games, who hails from a musical and nomadic people called the Covey. The film features Zegler singing several songs, including franchise favorite “The Hanging Tree.” Much of the music is folk-inspired, and Zegler sang each track live during filming. At the film’s London premiere — which came one day after SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative deal with the AMPTP to end the actors strike — Zegler told Variety who inspired her when it came to developing Lucy Gray’s voice.
“We channeled a bunch of people: Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to name a few. That was really the voice that we were trying to find,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes had its world premiere at London’s BFI Imax this evening, with a red carpet that featured director Francis Lawrence and stars Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andres Rivera and more.
The return to the Suzanne Collins franchise that’s based on her prequel novel marks the first major world premiere outside of a festival to include actors on the media line since the SAG-AFTRA strike started in July. Even if the guild and the studios had not reached a tentative agreement to end the strike last night, the film had already secured an Interim Agreement with Lionsgate a non-amptp company.
Regardless, the team was effusive about the end of the strife. Producer Nina Jacobson said that she was among the folks “screaming with joy” that the strike is over, having learned about it during a...
The return to the Suzanne Collins franchise that’s based on her prequel novel marks the first major world premiere outside of a festival to include actors on the media line since the SAG-AFTRA strike started in July. Even if the guild and the studios had not reached a tentative agreement to end the strike last night, the film had already secured an Interim Agreement with Lionsgate a non-amptp company.
Regardless, the team was effusive about the end of the strife. Producer Nina Jacobson said that she was among the folks “screaming with joy” that the strike is over, having learned about it during a...
- 11/9/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Spoiler Alert: The following review contains mild spoilers.
Amusing ourselves to death. That’s what media critic Neil Postman called the phenomenon that “The Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins took to its natural extreme, penning a dystopian YA trilogy whose four-film adaptation minted Lionsgate nearly $3 billion at the global box office. Much like “Harry Potter,” the book series whose Hollywood success made this franchise possible, the big-screen adaptations took a few false steps before hitting their stride with a single director — in this case, Francis Lawrence — who now returns to helm a prequel (far better than the “Fantastic Beasts” movies) that impressively expands the canon while honoring its key themes.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” feels like a natural extension of the saga, balancing blood sport, endangered young love and a heightened level of political commentary that respects the intelligence of young audiences as only Collins can.
Amusing ourselves to death. That’s what media critic Neil Postman called the phenomenon that “The Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins took to its natural extreme, penning a dystopian YA trilogy whose four-film adaptation minted Lionsgate nearly $3 billion at the global box office. Much like “Harry Potter,” the book series whose Hollywood success made this franchise possible, the big-screen adaptations took a few false steps before hitting their stride with a single director — in this case, Francis Lawrence — who now returns to helm a prequel (far better than the “Fantastic Beasts” movies) that impressively expands the canon while honoring its key themes.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” feels like a natural extension of the saga, balancing blood sport, endangered young love and a heightened level of political commentary that respects the intelligence of young audiences as only Collins can.
- 11/9/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
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