The 10th Hunger Games now commences, as the first The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes trailer previews one of the earliest games. The upcoming prequel is based on Suzanne Collins' book of the same, which follows Coriolanus Snow as an ordinary Panem citizen and mentor in the games. Starring Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler, the film will release in theaters on November 17, 2023.

At CinemaCon 2023, Lionsgate released the first trailer for the prequel, The Hungers Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Check out the trailer below:

The trailer introduces several big players in the prequel movie, including Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage), Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis), and Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blythe). The footage then turns to Lucy Gray-Baird (Rachel Zegler), who gets picked as the District 12 tribute not long before giving a snarky bow. Thereafter, Coriolanus gives a rose to Lucy, hinting at his mentorship with the tribute. The remaining trailer shows the backdrop of a much different Panem and the 10th Hunger Games Arena.

Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Looks Faithful To The Prequel Book

Coriolanus and Lucy talking to each other in The Hunger Games Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes

Based on the trailer, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes looks faithful to the original book, including Coriolanus's early life as a mentor, Lucy teaming up with Coriolanus, and the imagery of the dilapidated Hunger Games arena. In addition, the trailer shows the first look of Hunter Schafer as Tigris, Coriolanus' cousin. While the character had a brief appearance in the original movies, Tigris has a much simpler look compared to her tiger-like appearance in Mockingjay. The trailer also depicts other aspects of Coriolanus and Lucy's lives from the book, including a quick snippet of Lucy singing with a guitar and Coriolanus working as a Peacekeeper.

Whereas Coriolanus Snow was the main antagonist in the original Hunger Games trilogy, he will be portrayed as one of the two primary protagonists in the prequel. His evolving relationship with Lucy becomes central to his eminence, contributing to his tyrannical position as the President of Panem and a different outlook to subsequent Hunger Games. The trailer also exudes a much darker and eerie tone in contrast to the original movies, likely to further hint at Coriolanus' eventual darker path.

The Hunger Games franchise returns to the big screen after initially concluding the Katniss Everdeen-centered movies eight years ago with Mockingjay Part 2. While Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the first prequel spinoff, it is unknown if there are plans for more movies following other previous Hunger Games. Nevertheless, the trailer left a promising, first impression for the highly-anticipated movie, with a chance to rediscover a different Panem.

Source: Lionsgate

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