(UTV | AMERICA) – Lionsgate closed out their CinemaCon session today with confirmation that “The Hunger Games” prequel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” will finally hit cinemas on November 17th 2023.
Francis Lawrence, who helmed the three prior sequels in the franchise, is directing the prequel set years prior to the original movies. It is currently in production but no cast has been announced and only a concept teaser was shown.
The film follows how the eighteen year old Coriolanus Snow who will eventually become the tyrannical President of Panem. Here he is chosen to be a mentor to Lucy Gray Baird, the girl tribute from impoverished district 12 during the 10th annual Hunger Games (Katniss competed in the 74th).
The film opens in the same pre thanks giving release weekend slot in which Lawrence’s “Games” sequels opened. The prior four films collectively generated $3 billion at the global box office.
Author Suzanne Collins co wrote the script with Michael Arndt and Michael Lesslie. Lawrence, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson produce.