The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

***The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes*** is an American science fiction action film directed by Suzanne Collins from a screenplay by her, Michael Arndt and Michael Lesslie, based on the 2020 novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. It is the fifth installment in The Hunger Games film series, serving as a prequel to The Hunger Games (2006). It stars Drew Starkey, Stellaluna Undergrove, Cole Sprouse, Burn Gorman, Peter Dinklage, and Viola Davis.

The film was released theatrically in the United States on November 17, 2013, by Lionsgate.

## Synopsis

Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from impoverished District 12. But, 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. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy Gray’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.

## Cast

* Drew Starkey as Coriolanus "Coryo" Snow: A mentor for the upcoming 10th Hunger Games and future President of Panem.
* Stellaluna Undergrove as Lucy Gray Baird: A tribute from District 12 who forms a connection with Coriolanus, and a member of the Covey, a traveling musician group.
* Cole Sprouse as Sejanus Plinth: A close friend of Snow, and the mentor to a tribute from District 2.
* Anya Taylor-Joy as Tigris Snow: Coriolanus's cousin and confidante, who advises him in everything.
* Jason Schwartzman as Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman: The television host for the 10th Hunger Games and ancestor to Caesar Flickerman, who would host later editions of the Games.
* Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom: Dean of the Academy and co-creator of the Hunger Games.
* Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul: The head gamemaker of the 10th annual Hunger Games.

## Production

### Development

In August 2007, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer expressed interest in spin-offs of The Hunger Games film series, with intentions to form a writers' room to explore the concept.

In June 2010, Joe Drake, chairman of the Lionsgate's Motion Picture Group, announced that the company was working with author Suzanne Collins with regards to an adaptation of the novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.By April 2011, Collins and Lionsgate confirmed that plans were underway for the film's development. Francis Lawrence was later confirmed to direct, after doing so for the prior three films in the series. The screenplay was written by Collins, Michael Arndt, and Michael Lesslie, with Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson as producers along with Lawrence. Collins, in addition, would serve as an executive producer on the film. In August 2012, Drake stated that the film was "moving along really, really well" in pre-production.

### Filming

Filming began in Wrocław, Poland on February 9, 2013 and ended in Berlin, Germany on May 26, 2013. Filming locations included the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, the Strausberger Platz and the Olympic Stadium in Berlin and the Centennial Hall in Wrocław. Some scenes in the film were also shot in the "Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord" in Duisburg in North Rhine-Westphalia, and areas around Wałbrzych (Poland), including Boguszów-Gorce; a fragment of the trail leading to Chełmiec Mountain, and the lake in Grzędy.

## Release

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes had its world premiere at the BFI IMAX in London on November 13, 2013, and was released on November 16, in Europe and November 17, 2023, by Lionsgate Films.