Moviefone Editorial

Tag: tom-blyth

  • Viola Davis Joins the ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel

    Viola Davis Joins the cast of ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ which is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th, 2023.
    Viola Davis Joins the cast of ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ which is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th, 2023.

    While Viola Davis is more usually seen as a heroic or good-hearted character, we have seen her channel a darker side in the past: ‘Suicide Squad’s Amanda Waller, for example. Or the crafty Annalise Keating on TV’s ‘How to Get Away with Murder’.

    It’s that side of her performance that will be on display in the ‘Hunger Games’ prequel movie ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’. Davis has joined the in-production movie as Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

    ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is set years before the story of Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen. In this throwback to an earlier era of the Hunger Games, the new narrative follows 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) long before he’s the cunning president of post-apocalyptic nation Panem.

    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 (Rachel Zegler), 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 a snake.”

    Rachel Zegler to star as Lucy Gray Baird in Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.'
    Rachel Zegler to star as Lucy Gray Baird in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’ Photo credit: Nathan Johnson.

    Dr. Gaul will serve as the main antagonist for the movie, a games-maker who designs the 10th annual games.

    Francis Lawrence is directing the movie now from a script by Michael Lesslie. The ever-expanding cast also includes Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Ashley Liao, Sofia Sanchez, Mackenzie Lansing, Zoe Renee, George Somner, Isobel Jesper Jones, Lilly Maria Cooper, Max Raphael, Dakota Shapiro, Vaughan Reilly, Nick Benson, Knox Gibson, Amélie Hoeferle and Cooper Dillon.

    “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,” says Lionsgate motion picture group president Nathan Kahane. “Her formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and menace to this story.”

    “From the beginning, Viola has been our dream for Dr. Gaul because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role,” comments franchise producer Nina Jacobson. “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 Viola’s extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role.”

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

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th, 2023.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’
    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th, 2023.
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  • Peter Dinklage Joins the ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel

    Haley Bennett as Roxanne, and Peter Dinklage as Cyrano in Joe Wright’s 'Cyrano.'
    (L to R) Haley Bennett as Roxanne, and Peter Dinklage as Cyrano in Joe Wright’s
    ‘Cyrano,’a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Photo credit: Peter Mountain. © 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Shooting is underway on the prequel movie set in ‘The Hunger Games’ universe, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, but that isn’t stopping fresh casting news from being confirmed.

    Peter Dinklage, the veteran of such huge genre projects as ‘Game of Thrones’, the ‘X-Men’ movies and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is the latest recruit for the movie. He’ll play Dean Casca Highbottom, who runs the training academy in Panem and is one of the architects of the games.

    The story, based on Collins’ prequel novel, is set roughly 60 years before the events in the original book trilogy. It finds 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) as 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 (Rachel Zegler), 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.

    Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the ‘Hunger Games’ movies based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling book series (‘Catching Fire’, ‘Mockingjay – Part 1’ and Mockingjay – Part 2’) is back behind the camera for this new one, which has seen script work from Collins, Michael Arndt and, more recently, Michael Lesslie.

    Jennifer Lawrence
    Jennifer Lawrence in 2012’s ‘The Hunger Games.’

    “Dean Highbottom is one of the most powerful people in Snow’s life. As the austere and vindictive face of the games, he sets the rules that will determine every aspect of Coriolanus’s fate. I’m thrilled that Peter will be bringing him to life,” says Lawrence in a statement.

    “With production underway, we couldn’t be more excited about the way this cast has come together and thrilled to be welcoming Peter Dinklage to Panem. Peter is not just a fan favorite actor who brings a commanding presence to every part he plays,” adds Nathan Kahane, President of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group. “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.”

    Dinklage is just the latest piece of casting for this movie. Others have included Hunter Schafer, who plays Tigris Snow, while Jason Schwartzman is Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman, the host of the 10th games and ancestor to Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci in the original movies).

    And there has been a wave of mentors and tributes brought aboard including Irene Boehm, Cooper Dillon, Luna Kuse, Kjell Brutscheidt, Dimitri Abold, Athena Strates, Dakota Shapiro, George Somner, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, Aamer Husain, Vaughan Reilly, Nick Benson, Laurel Marsden, Lilly Cooper, Luna Steeples, Hiroki Berrecloth,
    Max Raphael, Zoe Renee, Ayomide Adegun, Kaitlyn Akinpelumi, Sofia Sanchez and Amélie Hoeferle.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th next year.

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  • Jason Schwartzman Recruited for the ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Movie

    Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, and Adrien Brody in 'The Darjeeling Limited.'
    (L to R) Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, and Adrien Brody in ‘The Darjeeling Limited.’

    As pre-production continues on ‘The Hunger Games’ prequel movie ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, studio Lionsgate has announced that Jason Schwartzman will play a key role in the movie, joining leads Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth.

    Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the ‘Hunger Games’ movies based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling book series (‘Catching Fire’, ‘Mockingjay – Part 1’ and Mockingjay – Part 2’) is back behind the camera for this new one, which has seen script work from Michael Arndt and, more recently, Michael Lesslie.

    The story, based on Collins’ prequel novel, is set roughly 60 years before the events in the original book trilogy. It finds 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) as 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 (Zegler), 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.

    This latest bit of casting is certainly a fun one: Schwartzman will play Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman, the host of the 10th annual Hunger Games and dubbed the “voice of Panem.” Lucretius is the ancestor of Caesar Flickerman, who was played (with giant wig and gleaming white teeth) by Stanley Tucci in the original series of films). Schwartzman feels like a great call for this role – he can do charm and he can do smarm, and a Flickerman certainly needs a helping heaping of both. Not to mention a real knack for showmanship.

    Stanley Tucci and Jennifer Lawrence
    (L to R) Stanley Tucci and Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” AP Photo/Lionsgate, Murray Close.

    Probably best known for his long collaboration with Wes Anderson (he’s appeared in movies such as ‘Rushmore’, ‘The French Dispatch’, and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ for the idiosyncratic director, and occasionally works behind the scenes with him too), Schwartzman has also appeared in the likes of ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’, ‘Saving Mr. Banks’, ‘Bewitched’ and ‘Marie Antoinette’. He’s usually memorable, and if Lucretius will likely be a relatively small role, we’re confident he’ll do something interesting with it.

    Schwartzman is one of the more established names recently recruited for the movie, as we last heard of a group of newcomers and rising stars – Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, and Aamer Husain – playing a variety of tributes and mentors.

    Then there’s ‘Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer, who scored the role of Tigris Snow. She’s Coriolanus’ cousin and confidante, who advises him in everything — from his role as mentor to the core of his moral compass.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is scheduled to hit theaters on November 17th next year.

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  • ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Adds New Cast

    Donald Sutherland as Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.'
    Donald Sutherland as Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.’ Photo: Lionsgate.

    As pre-production continues on ‘The Hunger Games’ prequel movie ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, studio Lionsgate has announced five new cast members, who join leads Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth.

    A variety of newcomers and rising stars, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, and Aamer Husain are the latest recruits for the prequel.

    Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the ‘Hunger Games’ movies based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling book series (‘Catching Fire’, ‘Mockingjay – Part 1’ and Mockingjay – Part 2’) is back behind the camera for this new one, which has seen script work from Michael Arndt and, more recently, Michael Lesslie.

    The story, based on Collins’ prequel novel, is set roughly 60 years before the events in the original book trilogy. It finds 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) as 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 (Zegler), 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.

    Jerome Lance
    Jerome Lance is set to play Marcus, tribute from District 2 in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’ Photo: Michael Shelford.

    Lance, who is in his final year at Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, will play Marcus, a tribute from District 2.

    Ashley Liao
    Ashley Liao is set to play Clemensia Dovecote, one of Coriolanus’s closest friends and mentor to a tribute from District 11 in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’ Photo: Paul Smith.

    Liao, who’s had roles in ‘Always Be My Maybe’, ‘Secret Society of Second Born Royals’ and Apple TV+ series ‘Physical’, will be the character of Clemensia Dovecote, one of Coriolanus’s closest friends and mentor to a tribute from District 11.

    Knox Gibson
    Knox Gibson is set to play Bobbin, tribute from District 8 in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’ Photo: Dejan Arsovski.

    Gibson, recently seen in Netflix’s ‘Forgive Us Our Trespasses’ is an athlete and amputee and has spent six years acting in a variety of shows, movies, and commercials. He’ll be seen as Bobbin, tribute from District 8.

    Mackenzie Lansing
    Mackenzie Lansing is set to play Coral, a tribute from District 4 in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’ Photo: Jessica Osber.

    Lansing, meanwhile, who appeared in ‘The Deuce’ and ‘Mare of Easttown’ and has shot a role in Gareth Edwards’ new sci-fi movie ‘True Love’, has scored the part of Coral, tribute from District 4.

    Aamer Husain
    Aamer Husain is set to play Felix Ravinstill, mentor to a tribute from District 11 in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’ Photo: Curtis & Cort Photography.

    Finally, there’s Husain, making his film debut after working on an episode of Canadian cop drama ‘Hudson & Rex’. He’ll be Felix Ravinstill, mentor to a tribute from District 11.

    Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are back as producers alongside Lawrence, and the new movie will explore unseen territory, looking into the earlier days of the Hunger Games and their dreadful impact on society of Panem.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will land in theaters on November 17th, 2023.

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  • First Teaser for ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’
    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th, 2023.

    It’s a bold move to put out a teaser trailer before you have any real footage to show, and the movie is more than a year away, but after the confusion and chaos of the last two years and their pandemic-altered movie release schedules, it’s actually refreshing to see studios planting PR flags like this again.

    Of course, going so early with your first look at a movie means you can’t show off any of the film itself, so the teaser for ‘Hunger Games’ prequel movie ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is mostly just snazzy CG versions of the title’s creatures.

    With Lionsgate officially confirming that the movie is in the works at a big CinemaCon presentation earlier this year, most of the news so far has been in casting: ‘Billy the Kid’s Tom Blyth was announced earlier this month as the younger version of Coriolanus Snow, the man who will go on to become the tyrannical President of Panem (and played by Donald Sutherland in the ‘Games’ movies).

    And starring as the young tribute who impacts his life years before he ascends to command the county? ‘West Side Story’s rising star Rachel Zegler.

    Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the four ‘Hunger Games’ movies based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling book trilogy, is back behind the camera for this new one, which has seen script work from Michael Arndt and, more recently, Michael Lesslie.

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    The story finds 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow as 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.

    Though if we’re honest, given that one of the characters becomes famous for singing and one is the man who will grow up to sneer for an entire country, we’re not really in much doubt as to which is which.

    At least with the presence of a brand-new character, we can expect a little drama as to whether Lucy will actually make it out of the games alive – Snow, of course, will go on to rule, but his journey will be about how this experiences changes him… For better or worse. Having seen the Presidential version, we’re going to go ahead and assume worse.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th, 2023.

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  • Rachel Zegler Joins the ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel

    Rachel Zegler to star as Lucy Gray Baird in Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.'
    Rachel Zegler to star as Lucy Gray Baird in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’ Photo credit: Nathan Johnson.

    Originally confirmed as in the early stages of production last month as part of Lionsgate’s big CinemaCon presentation, the ‘Hunger Games’ prequel movie ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is pushing ahead in locking down its lead cast. ‘Billy the Kid’s Tom Blyth was announced earlier this month as the younger version of Coriolanus Snow, the man who will go on to become the tyrannical President of Panem (and played by Donald Sutherland in the ‘Games’ movies).

    Now we know who will star as the young tribute who impacts his life years before he ascends to command the county: ‘West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler.

    Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the ‘Hunger Games’ movies based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling book series, is back behind the camera for this new one, which has seen script work from Michael Arndt and, more recently, Michael Lesslie.

    The story finds 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow as 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.

    (L to R) Ezra Menas, Ben Cook, Sean Harrison Jones, Mike Faist, Patrick Higgins, Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, David Alvarez, Julius Anthony Rubio, Ricardo Zayas, Josh Andrés Rivera, Sebastian Serra, and Carlos Sánchez Falú in 'West Side Story'
    (L to R) Ezra Menas, Ben Cook, Sean Harrison Jones, Mike Faist, Patrick Higgins, Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, David Alvarez, Julius Anthony Rubio, Ricardo Zayas, Josh Andrés Rivera, Sebastian Serra, and Carlos Sánchez Falú in ‘West Side Story’

    “Like everybody, I first saw Rachel Zegler in ‘West Side Story’, and like everybody, I knew I was watching a star who would command the screen for a generation,” says Lawrence in a statement. “Lucy Gray is a perfect match for her as an actress: the character is bold, independent, and defiant, but also vulnerable, emotional, and loving. Rachel will make this character unforgettable.”

    “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 – she is the perfect choice for our Lucy Gray,” says Nathan Kahane, president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

    “Lucy Gray is an incredibly complex character, a performer who has to use every skill in her arsenal to survive. Our casting team, Deb Zane, and Dylan Jury, spearheaded an exhaustive search, reading hundreds of actors in search of our perfect Lucy Gray. That search ended when Rachel Zegler blew the roof off with her depth and breadth of talent as an actor, singer, and performer. Rachel is utterly compelling; just like Lucy Gray, her voice and charisma command the stage while her inner strength and humanity transform those around her,” says ‘Hunger Games’ producer Nina Jacobson.

    Zegler herself recently teased her casting via a cryptic tweet that she has since explained.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th, 2023. But before that, Zegler will be seen in DC superhero sequel ‘Shazam: Fury of the Gods’ (due out on December 21st this year) and Disney’s live action ‘Snow White’, which is still shooting and will arrive in 2023.

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