The upcoming Hunger Games prequel will improve and deepen the original quartet of films. In 2012, Lionsgate brought Suzanne Collins' highly-successful young adult series to the big screen and kicked off a new wave of dystopian film franchises. The Hunger Games starred Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant participant in her country's annual fight to the death who goes on to become the symbol of the resistance. When the first Hunger Games proved to be a hit with audiences, Lionsgate continued to adapt the entire series into movies, with the final installment, Mockingjay, even being split into two parts.
That tradition looks to continue with Collins' new prequel novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Released earlier this year, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place during the 10th Hunger Games and follows a young Coriolanus Snow, the main villain of the Hunger Games series, as he mentors District 12's tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. Even before the book was released, Lionsgate announced its intention to turn The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes into a feature film. Francis Lawrence, who helmed all Hunger Games films except for the first, will direct.
During New York Comic-Con's Hunger Games panel, producer Nina Jacobson spoke a bit about what fans can expect from the film adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Despite taking place years before the main series, Jacobson explained how the "connective tissue" between the two stories will further enhance the original films. After all, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes tells the story of Snow's early experiences with District 12 before he's even President of Panem, which surely influences his later actions. Jacobson said:
I love, for the fans, the connective tissue between Lucy and District 12 and Katniss and the Hunger Games movies. I loved that Suzanne weaved that connective tissue and what Snow’s history is with 12 when he comes back to Katniss. I think that the first movies will even richer for living in a world with this prequel.
The best prequels do an excellent job of strengthening the stories that came before and providing new layers to characters fans think they know. However, if done poorly, prequels can be seen as unnecessary additions to canon. Where The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will fall remains to be seen, but Jacobson clearly has the right idea about what this prequel should do for the Hunger Games franchise. By telling Snow's story, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes can further deepen his characterization in the original films and thus lead to an interesting re-watch experience.
At this point, though, it's hard to tell how The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will turn out since so little is known about the project. There haven't been any casting announcements, though many are eager to find out who will nab the role of Snow. It also isn't clear as to when the Hunger Games prequel will come out, though it'll likely be within the next few years. The cinematic world of The Hunger Games is getting new life, and hopefully it'll prove to be a smart move.
Source: NYCC