Hunger Games’ prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released in theaters November 17, 2023.
Revealed at CinemaCon 2022, the pre-story will be based on Susan Collins’ book of the same name and will focus on Coriolanus Snow at the age of 18, years before he became the tyrannical boss of Panem.
“The young Coriolanus is handsome and charming, and although the Snow family has gone through hard times, he sees an opportunity to change his fortune when he is chosen to be a mentor to the Tenth Hunger Games… only to have his happiness shattered when he is assigned to direct the tribute of the girl from impoverished District 12,” The official description continues.
Lionsgate announced The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in 2020, and confirmed that Francis Lawrence, who directed Catching Fire and Mockingjay Part 1 & 2, will return to lead this new story. Collins’ novel was released on May 19, 2020.
No cast has been revealed for the film, but we know Collins will write the film’s handling and serve as executive producer. Academy Award winner Michael Arndt will adapt the show.
“Susan’s new book is well worth the wait. It delivers everything fans can hope and expect from The Hunger Games while also opening up new ground and introducing an entirely new panel of characters,” said Susanne’s new book. Songbirds and Snakes are creatively exciting and take this world to intricate new dimensions opening up amazing cinematic possibilities. We are thrilled to unite this filmmaking team with this very unique franchise, and we can’t wait to start production.”
Do you have a tip for us? Want to discuss a potential story? Please send an email to [email protected].
Adam Pankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter Tweet embed and on Twitch.