After four successful films, the dystopian saga Hunger Games
returns to theaters with a prequel titled Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird. This adaptation of bestseller eponymous by Suzanne Collins published in 2020 arouses a strong interest from fans around the world, ready to explore the origins of the Games.
But what will we discover in this new opus? Will the new actors manage to make us forget
Jennifer Lawrence
, Josh Hutcherson
And
Liam Hemsworth
? Here’s everything you need to know about this prequel!
Do you know ? Franchise Hunger Games reported more than 3 billion dollars
.
What is the plot of the prequel?
©Lionsgate
Taking place approximately 64 years before the saga told in the original quadrilogy, the new film follows the young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), decades before becoming the tyrannical president of Panem.
However, the future President Snow, played in the films Hunger Games by Donald Sutherland, is no less ambitious. Indeed, Snow, just 18 years old, is the last hope of his fading lineage, a once-powerful family fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. “He’s a young man finding his way in the world, but he’s also making choices that foreshadow the man he’s becoming.“producer Nina Jacobson told Vanity Fair.
As the tenth annual Hunger Games quickly approachesyoung student Snow is alarmed when he is tasked with protecting the charming and gentle Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). Like Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)this “tribute” comes from District 12, the poorest. But unlike her heir, Lucy Gray comes from a group known for its highly developed musical culture.
During the harvest ceremony, Lucy Gray commanded all of Panem’s attention by singing in defiance of the authorities. Snow then thinks that maybe he could turn the situation around in their favor. Joining forces and instincts, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird and who is a snake.
©Lionsgate
Because during this feature film, Snow will find himself caught between two forces : on the one hand his love for Lucy, on the other the harmful influence of the enigmatic Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis). “He’s a shapeshifter who craves control, but is attracted to a woman who threatens everything he thought he wanted.” adds the producer.
©Lionsgate
A renewed casting
©Lionsgate
In addition to the actors previously mentioned, Peter Dinklage (Casca Hughbottom), Hunter Schafer (Tigris Snow) and Jason Schwartzman (Lucretius Flickerman) will also appear in the cast of this feature film tinged with reviews towards our contemporary society.
Did you know ?Several songs will punctuate this prequel, like the original soundtrack recorded by Olivia Rodrigo.
Enthusiastic first reviews
©Lionsgate
The first reports in the press are very positive. All reviews highlight the screenwriting qualities, visual And sound of the film. However, some highlight the length of the film (2h38) and the unconvincing love relationship between Corionalus and Lucy, the latter’s performance often erased by those of her playmates.
While waiting to discover this feature film, Internet users will be able to take selfies on Snapchat using the Lens available here.
Is a sixth part planned?
If the film meets the expected success, other spin-offs could be considered. During an interview with the American media EW, the director Francis Lawrence has discussed the possibility of other films centering around fan-favorite characters, like Finnick (Sam Claflin) or even Haymitch (Woody Harrelson).
LR