There’s a newHunger Gamesmovie in the works based on Suzanne Collins' latest novel,The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and it looks like development is well underway with the news thatMs. Marvelactor Laurel Marsden is one of several new faces joining the film’s cast.
Lionsgate’sThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesis a prequel story to the very successful book and film trilogy, which was initially announced back in 2020 around the time the book was first published. However, very little information about the project had been disclosed until fairly recently. At least that was until the film announced Tom Blyth,West Side Storystar Rachel Zegler, and Josh Andrés Rivera as its first few cast members, playing the roles of future President Coriolanus Snow, Lucy Gray Baird, and Sejanus Plinth, respectively.
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Those three stars will now welcome the arrival of Nick Benson (Jessup), Lilly Cooper (Arachne Crane), Luna Steeples (Dill), Hiroki Berrecloth (Treech), and the aforementioned Marsden, who will play Mayfair Lipp. Of these newcomers, only the latter and Cooper not playing tributes inthis particularHunger Gamesedition. The prequel’s plot mostly focuses on Snow and Lucy Gray, when a young Coriolanus is chosen to mentor the District 12 tribute, thus being given a unique opportunity to change his life after his family had suffered a series of misfortunes.
Given that self-described “fake redhead” Marsden plays Kamala Khan’s frenemy Zoe Zimmer inMs. Marvel, the role of Mayfair Lipp won’t be that shocking to audiences. The actor herself expressed her excitement on her Instagram over securing a role in the franchise that got her into acting in the first place.The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakeswill be directed by franchise veteran Francis Lawrence (ConstantineandI Am Legend), who helmed allHunger Gamesmovies except for the first entry.
As for the source material, whileThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesdid not become the same kind of worldwide phenomenon as the rest of Collins' work, the book was mostly well-received by both critics and fans of the franchise. Considering the commercial success of the four movies starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth, it’s really no surprise Lionsgate Films is eager to have a go at the franchise once more.
Although it’s debatablewhetherThe Hunger Gamesfilm adaptations were goodenough or not, or if the movies really went downhill afterCatching Fire, many will be excited to see the world of Panem in theaters once more.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesis scheduled for release on Jun 30, 2025.
