“West Side Story” actress Rachel Zegler is set to star in the female lead role in “The Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” for Lionsgate.
The film is adapted from Suzanne Collins’ 2020 book which takes place decades before Katniss Everdeen’s adventures and deals with an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow – long before he becomes the tyrannical leader of Panem.
In the film, Snow (played by Tom Blyth) is chosen to be mentor to Lucy Gray Baird, the unassuming but charming female tribute from the impoverished District 12, during the 10th Hunger Games. Zegler will play Baird.
Zegler will appear next in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” and Disney’s live-action “Snow White” film.
Francis Lawrence returns to direct the upcoming film from a script by Michael Lesslie (“Macbeth”). Shooting will begin later this year ahead of a November 17th 2023 release.
Source: Variety
