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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Rachel Zegler to portray Lucy Gray Baird in 'The Hunger Games' prequel

Rachel Zegler to portray Lucy Gray Baird in 'The Hunger Games' prequel

Published Jun 1, 2022 11:39 am

‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ movie adaptation has found its District 12 tribute

The movie adaptation of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” novel now has its lead stars. After the project’s announcement during CinemaCon in Las Vegas last April, fans of the movie franchise have been speculating who will be part of its cast. And now they have the answer.

Joining Tom Blyth as young Coriolanus Snow is Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird. Rachel is known for her debut movie performance as Maria in the 2021 musical film “West Side Story” led by director Steven Spielberg.

Rachel Zegler (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File); ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ book cover

Released in 2020, author Suzanne Collins’ “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is set decades before the events of “The Hunger Games” trilogy, which centered on Katniss Everdeen, a volunteer tribute from District 12 of the fictional nation Panem. In the prequel novel, readers get to discover the story of young Coriolanus Snow as a student-mentor to District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird.

“When you read Suzanne’s book, Lucy Gray’s emotional intelligence, physical agility, and fiercely powerful, determined singing voice shine through. Rachel embodies all of those skills,” Nathan Kahane, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s president, said. “She is the perfect choice for our Lucy Gray.”

The movie synopsis 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 girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.”

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is set to premiere on Nov. 17, 2023.

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