‘Hunger Games’ director, Francis Lawrence is set to return to the franchise to helm the prequel ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’.
Set roughly 64 years before ‘The Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ follows an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, who would eventually rise to become the authoritarian ruler of the dystopian nation of Panem, and the central villain of the original ‘Hunger Games’ series. In Suzanne Collins’ prequel, Snow is chosen to be a mentor for the 10th annual Hunger Games — for a young girl from District 12, the future home of Katniss Everdeen.
‘Catching Fire’ scribe Michael Arndt will adapt the screenplay from a treatment written by Collins, who will also serve as an executive producer. Nina Jacobson is also returning as producer, with her Color Force partner Brad Simpson.
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“‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is creatively thrilling and takes this world to complex new dimensions that open up amazing cinematic possibilities,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Joe Drake. “We’re thrilled to reunite this filmmaking team with this very unique franchise, and we can’t wait to begin production.”
Lionsgate are yet to announce a cast and expected release date.
Collins’ prequel is set to hit to be available from May 19th.
Lawrence directed 3 of the 4 ‘Hunger Games’ movies, ‘Catching Fire’ and ‘Mocking Jay’ parts 1 and 2. He also directed 2018’s ‘Red Sparrow’ in which he reunited with Jennifer Lawrence who took on the lead role in the spy thriller.
