Viola Davis has landed the role of the head gamemaker in the upcoming ‘Hunger Games’ prequel ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’
Davis, who is playing Volumnia Gaul, the mastermind of the diabolical teen death-match joins Peter Dinklage, who takes on the role of Casca Highbottom, Tom Blyth who will play a young Coriolanus Snow, Rachel Zegler as tribute Lucy Gray Baird and Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow.
Based on the 2020 book of the same name, and set decades before the adventures of Katniss Everdeen, the prequel story takes place as an 18-year-old Snow — who eventually becomes the tyrannical leader of the dystopia known as Panem — is chosen to be the mentor during the 10th Hunger Games, a televised event in which teenagers are selected via lottery to fight to the death. Highbottom is the dean of the Academy, where Snow is a student.
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Francis Lawrence, who previously directed the franchise’s ‘Catching Fire,’ ‘Mockingjay — Part 1’ and ‘Mockingjay — Part 2’ will direct the latest entry in the franchise. Michael Lesslie wrote the screenplay.
“Dean Highbottom is one of the most powerful people in Snow’s life,” Lawrence stated. “As the austere and vindictive face of the games, he sets the rules that will determine every aspect of Coriolanus’s fate. I’m thrilled that Peter will be bringing him to life.”
Nina Jacobson and her producing partner Brad Simpson will oversee the latest “Hunger Games” instalment, along with Lawrence. Author Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen and Jim Miller will serve as executive producers.
The movie is set to be released worldwide on November 17, 2023.
