“The Hunger Games” Is Officially Returning, So Here’s What You Need To Know About The New Prequel Film

    The movie is based on Suzanne Collins's prequel book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which takes place 64 years before The Hunger Games and centers around a young President Snow as he mentors a tribute during the 10th annual Hunger Games.

    Lauren Garafano
    by Lauren Garafano

    BuzzFeed Staff

    If you're anything like me, then at some point in your life, you probably worshipped The Hunger Games series.

    Katniss Everdeen
    Lions Gate / ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    And hey, maybe you're still in that era, I'm certainly not here to judge. 

    And now, over a decade after the first film came out, our favorite franchise is finally coming back!!!! There's another movie currently in the works, and it's, like, really happening, guys!

    Screenshot from "The Hunger Games"
    Lions Gate / ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    So, here's everything we know about the new movie so far:

    1. It's called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and is based on Suzanne Collins's novel that came out in 2020.

    2. It's set to be released in theaters on November 17, 2023.

    3. The movie will be a prequel and take place 64 years before The Hunger Games. It follows a teenage Coriolanus "Coryo" Snow as he mentors a tribute named Lucy Gray Baird during Panem's 10th Annual Hunger Games.

    Screenshot from "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes"
    Lionsgate / Everett

    According to Lionsgate, "After Lucy Gray commands all of Panem's attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor."

    4. The story also explores Panem's tragic history, how the Hunger Games came to be, the citizens of the Capitol, and their initial distaste for the games.

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    5. Tom Blyth stars as Coriolanus Snow (who was played by Donald Sutherland in the original movies).

    Cindy Ord / Getty Images, Lions Gate / ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    6. Rachel Zegler stars as Lucy Gray Baird, a District 12 tribute.

    Closeup of Rachel Zegler
    Arturo Holmes / Getty Images

    7. Hunter Schafer plays Coriolanus's cousin Tigris and confidante (played by Eugenie Bondurant in Mockingjay — Part 2).

    Monica Schipper / Getty Images, Lionsgate

    8. Viola Davis plays Dr. Volumnia Gaul, who is the 10th Annual Hunger Games gamemaker, a scientist, and the brains behind the Capitol's experimental weapons division.

    Closeup of Viola Davis
    Rodin Eckenroth / FilmMagic

    9. Jason Schwartzman plays Lucretius 'Lucky' Flickerman, ancestor to the iconic Caesar Flickerman (played by Stanley Tucci in the original movies).

    Gregg Deguire / WireImage, Lions Gate / ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    10. Peter Dinklage plays Casca Highbottom, the dean of Snow's school and the unintentional creator of the Hunger Games.

    Closeup of Peter Dinklage
    Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images

    11. Josh Andrés Rivera plays Sejanus Plinth, Coriolanus's close friend who serves as a mentor for the tributes of District 2.

    Closeup of Josh Andres Rivera
    Valerie Macon / AFP via Getty Images

    12. There will also be a whole new cast of tributes and mentors played by Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, Sofia Sanchez, Zoe Renee, Jerome Lance, and more.

    Emma Mcintyre / WireImage, Jason Mendez / Getty Images for Tribeca Festival, Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney

    13. Francis Lawrence, who directed The Hunger Games' second, third, and fourth movies, will be returning to direct this movie.

    Behind the scenes of one of the "Hunger Games" films
    Lions Gate / ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I'm really excited about the cast," he told Collider. "It feels very different, in that there really is a unique sort of aesthetic to it because it takes place 65 years before. The characters feel very different. There are still very familiar touch points. It very much feels like a Hunger Games movie, but at the same time feels really fresh and unique, and thematically unique."

    14. Michael Arndt wrote the screenplay for the movie, he also adapted The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

    Screenshot from "Catching Fire"
    Lions Gate / ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    That's all for now, but rest assured we will definitely be adding more news as it comes out! So, for now, happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.