The Hunger Games prequel movie releases first teaser

"The world will discover who is a songbird and who is a snake."

By Dan Seddon

6 Jun 2022

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes has knocked up a first teaser trailer.

Based on Suzanne Collins' 2020 novel of the same name – a prequel to the epic, blood-spattered Katniss Everdeen trilogy which began a decade ago – this movie isn't even in production yet, but that hasn't stopped Lionsgate from promoting it.

In the company's video (which you can see above), the camera reveals a frost-dusted songbird and snake high in the trees before breaking free of their wintery shackles into glorious gold.

the hunger games ballad of songbirds and snakes

Lionsgate

"You're invited to return to the game in 2023. The world will discover who is a songbird and who is a snake," reads some teaser-y text.

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes takes fans into the 18-year-old head of future Panem tyrant Coriolanus Snow, portrayed by Donald Sutherland in The Hunger Games.

Tom Blyth of The Gilded Age won the role of Snow just last month, while director Francis Lawrence said of the star: "Coriolanus Snow is many things – a survivor, a loyal friend, a cutthroat, a kid quick to fall in love, and a young man ambitious to his core.

"Tom's take on the character showed us all the complex ambiguities of this young man as he transforms into the tyrant he would become."

donald sutherland as president snow, the hunger games catching fire

Murray CloseLionsgate

Meanwhile, Lionsgate's president of production Erin Westerman went on to call Blyth "an explosive rising talent whose mesmerising and charismatic presence makes him an exciting actor and perfect for this leading role".

Alongside Blyth, West Side Story's Rachel Zegler will play District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, who Lawrence called "a perfect match" for the character.

"[She] is bold, independent and defiant, but also vulnerable, emotional and loving. Rachel will make this character unforgettable," he said at the time of her casting.

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes hits cinemas on November 17, 2023.