With nearly 3 billion US dollars raised at the box office, the saga Hunger Games proved, to say the least, profitable. The four films cemented Jennifer Lawrence’s star status and exploded sales of Suzanne Collins’ original novels. More than ten years after the release of the first part, bringing this vast audience back into theaters is one of the many challenges facing The Hunger Game: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Hunger Games. The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird). Francis Lawrence, director of the film as well as the three previous ones, opened up about it Duty exclusively.
For the record, in the dystopian world of Hunger Games, the wealthy live in a city protected by a totalitarian regime which benefits them, while the rest of humanity survives as best they can in monitored districts. Every year, the “Hunger Games”, where representatives from each district compete to the death, captivate the population.
In this pre-episode, we witness the transformation of said games, and above all, the rise of the future despot Coriolanus Snow.
“When I finished the film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 [Hunger Games. La révolte, dernière partie], there was no question, on Suzanne’s side, of writing a new novel set in this universe. She wanted to explore other horizons after ten years spent in Panem [la nation imaginaire au coeur de la série] », explains Francis Lawrence, director in addition to Red Sparrow (The red sparrow) and of Constantine (a sequel is in development with Keanu Reeves, confirms the filmmaker).
“Then, in 2019, Suzanne took us by surprise, Nina [Jacobson, la productrice] and me by announcing that she was putting the finishing touches on a new novel linked to the saga, but in which she was “going elsewhere”. We read the manuscript just before the pandemic and spent most of it developing the adaptation. »
Make way for the antihero
One of the most interesting aspects of the film, and the novel, is the complete reversal made in terms of the protagonist. Indeed, in the four Hunger Games of yesteryear, we followed Katniss Everdeen on her journey to grandeur and nobility.
In The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, we rather accompany Coriolanus Snow on the path of deception and duplicity. From a heroine, we move, in other words, to an antihero.
“This is undoubtedly the aspect that excited me the most about the project,” confides Francis Lawrence.
“Before reading the manuscript, all I knew was that the action would take place 64 years before the events of the first saga. When I discovered that it was the origin story of the vile Coriolanus Snow [immortalisé par Donald Sutherland de 2012 à 2015], I was won over, among other things because it represented a real challenge. »
A potentially risky bet, but one that should be rejoiced. In fact, Hollywood usually abhors anything that resembles a risk, relying instead on what has already worked.
“The difficulty was to create a character who we know will become evil, and to present him in a way that makes us want to know more about him, want to follow him, and even want to follow him. we feel empathy towards him. This, while planting clues of what he will become. Make his tribulations towards the dark side credible and interesting…”
Sensitivity and refinement
After banking on a Jennifer Lawrence who had never before carried a major film on her shoulders, the production is still trying its luck with a relative newcomer as a leading figure. His naturally brown hair now a distinctly Aryan blond in the film, Tom Blyth plays Coriolanus Snow with all the ambiguity and charisma required.
“We met Tom very late in the audition process, and he blew us away,” Francis Lawrence reveals.
“We were completely seduced and captivated by what he brought. I admit that I myself was not familiar with his work on the series Billy the Kid, so for me, the surprise was total. And then, observing him, with his big blue eyes, with his features, I could easily imagine him as a younger version of Donald Sutherland. He studied at Juilliard [à l’instar de sa partenaire Viola Davis, qui joue ici une sorte de “Docteure terreur” en chef]. He has incredible mastery of the game. Tom brought a rather unique blend of sensitivity and refinement to the role of Snow. »
In the film, Coriolanus Snow must act as a mentor to one of the conscripts of the Games: Lucy Gray, a young woman whose determination is matched only by her vocal power. Rachel Zegler plays this competitor-singer with as much presence as voice.
“Rachel, I knew West Side Story that she was an incredible singer and actress. She was our first choice of all. »
Distinct identity
Before filming, one of Francis Lawrence’s main concerns was that The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes fits harmoniously into the saga, while displaying a distinct identity. Beautiful paradox.
“I was keen to offer something new, on all levels. But obviously, there needed to be visual reminders of what this world would become: the architecture inspired by Berlin in the aftermath of World War II was one of the main influences…”
Otherwise, in all artistic departments, the watchword was, to use Suzanne Collins’ expression, “go elsewhere”. Deal.
The film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes hits theaters on November 17.