The Hunger Games, a dystopian science fiction franchise written by author Suzanne Collins, initially captivated readers in 2008 with the release of the novel. This ‘young adult’ book swiftly evolved into a cultural phenomenon, and its success seamlessly transitioned to the big screen with a film adaptation in 2012. The film series, which concluded in 2015, grossed billions worldwide and has left an indelible mark on literature, cinema, and society.
For this reason, in anticipation of the release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the prequel adapted from Suzanne Collins’ 2020 novel, Lionsgate and Fathom Events are bringing back the film that started it all, The Hunger Games, to the big screen. According to the Fathom Events website, the film will exclusively screen on October 15th and 18th.
There’s no better way to whet the appetite for The Hunger Games prequel than with the original Hunger Games. We’re thrilled to be teaming with Fathom Events to give fans the opportunity to see The Hunger Games in theaters once again” –said Kevin Grayson, Lionsgate’s president of domestic distribution, in an Entertainment Weekly statement.
What is The Hunger Games About?
Set in a dystopian future, the oppressive Capitol governs over the 12 impoverished districts of Panem. Decades after a failed uprising, the Capitol maintains control by demanding that each district send two tributes, a boy and a girl aged 12 to 18, to participate in the annual Hunger Games –a televised fight to the death. These Games serve as a brutal reminder of the Capitol’s dominance while the people in the underprivileged districts struggle with starvation.
Amidst this grim reality, Katniss Everdeen (portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence) from district 12, volunteers to take her younger sister’s place when she is chosen as a tribute. The other selected participant is Peeta Mellark (played by Josh Hutcherson). The Capitol, as ever, seeks to manipulate their relationship and pit them against each other in the arena. However, as Katniss fights for her life, her defiance of Capitol regulations sets off a chain of events that has the potential to kindle a rebellion across Panem.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
The plot revolves around the life of an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, long before he became President, as he struggles to restore the honor of his once-distinguished family, which has fallen from grace in the post-war Capitol. As the 10th annual Hunger Games approaches, Snow is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, District 12’ tribute. Together, they must race against the clock to survive the Hunger Games and, in the end, unveil the true nature of those around them, distinguishing between the Songbird and the Snake.
While Awaiting The Film’s Release…
On this September 20th, Lionsgate has unveiled a new movie poster where we can see most of the main characters in what appears to be an Arena of the games that has been completely destroyed. Hunter Schafer, Peter Dinklage, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Viola Davis complete the film’s principal cast, with director Francis Lawrence (responsible for the last three films of the main saga) once again behind the camera.
In the last few minutes, they have also shared the new movie trailer, where we can witness the appearance of the Capitol 64 years before the events of the main saga, the childhood and youth of Snow, as well as multiple scenes of the tributes within the Games and the development of the relationship between Lucy Gray and Coriolanus Snow. All of this is accompanied by a question that runs through the trailer from start to finish, voiced by Viola Davis in the role of Doctor Volumnia Gaul: «What are The Hunger Games for?»
Furthermore, the song that Katniss Everdeen sang in the first part of Mockingjay can be heard at the beginning of the video, sung by Lucy Gray: ‘Are you, are you coming to the tree? Where they strung up a man, they say, who murdered three.’ This marks the origin of a anthem that would, decades later, spark a revolution.
Are you ready for The Hunger Games and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
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