Rachel Zegler to play Lucy Gray Baird in Hunger Games prequel
By Ashley Hurst
Long before Katniss Everdeen took part in the 74th Hunger Games, there was Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12 mentored by a young Coriolanus Snow in the 10th Hunger Games. Author Suzanne Collins told her story in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes back in 2020. Naturally, Lionsgate is making it into a new movie. Prepare to return to Panem.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is as much about the rise of the tyrannical President Snow (played by Donald Sutherland in the original trilogy) as it is about Lucy Gray Baird. The 18-year-old Snow is proud and determined to restore his fallen family to its former glory. By the end, we’ll learn who is a songbird, and who is a snake.
A few weeks ago, Billy the Kid star Tom Blyth was cast as the young President Snow. And now, Variety has confirmed that West Side Story star Rachel Zegler has joined the cast as Lucy.
In the lead up to the announcement, Zegler was dropping some hints on Twitter: “Listen up….. can y’all grow restfully?” she wrote. Are you becoming an individual resting decisively?” What does that even mean? But if you take the first letter from each word… aha!
https://t.co/CCjQ7DIncN pic.twitter.com/EXKXqnzLne
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) May 31, 2022
“So much joy. I love movies. I cannot believe I get to make them. I am so thankful that this is my life. thanks for being on this ride with me,” Zegler added.
West Side Story star will headline Hunger Games prequel movie
In a statement, Francis Lawrence, who directed the original Hunger Games trilogy and will return for the prequel, explained what makes Zegler the perfect actress for the role.
"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. 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."
As unforgettable as Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen? Let’s hope so. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set to premiere on November 17, 2023.
Next. Tom Blyth will play young President Snow in Hunger Games prequel movie. dark
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