“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is directed by Francis Lawrence, who helmed all three sequels to “The Starvation Video games.” Additionally again for extra is “The Starvation Video games: Catching Fireplace” co-writer Michael Arndt, who was credited as “Michael deBruyn” on that film and reportedly tag-teamed the “Songbirds and Snakes” screenplay with “Macbeth” and “Murderer’s Creed” scribe Michael Lesslie.
Like the unique tetralogy, “Songbirds and Snakes” has loaded its ensemble with honored character actors because the colorfully-named residents of Panem. Their ranks embrace Peter Dinklage because the Starvation Video games co-creator Casca Highbottom, Viola Davis because the tenth Starvation Video games’ head recreation maker Dr. Volumnia Gaul, Jason Schwartzman because the Starvation Video games’ TV host and ancestor of Stanley Tucci’s Caesar Flickerman, Lucretius Flickerman, and Burn Gorman because the peacekeeper Commander Hoff.
Becoming a member of Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler as fellow younger individuals within the film are Zegler’s “West Aspect Story” co-star Josh Andrés Rivera and “Euphoria” star Hunter Schafer as Coriolanus’s good friend and cousin, Sejanus Plinth and Tigris Snow, respectively. The synopsis reads as follows:
“Years earlier than he would turn into the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the final hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud household that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the tenth annual Starvation Video games quick approaching, the younger Snow is alarmed when he’s assigned to mentor Lucy Grey Baird, the lady tribute from impoverished District 12. However, after Lucy Grey instructions all of Panem’s consideration by defiantly singing through the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he may have the ability to flip the percentages of their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy Grey’s race in opposition to time to outlive will finally reveal who’s a songbird, and who’s a snake.”
“The Starvation Video games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” hits theaters on November 17, 2023.