Rachel Zegler Cast In The Hunger Games Prequel

A revelation of more cast members came out for The Hunger Games Prequel and Rachel Zegler is the newest. Lionsgate’s highly anticipated prequel to The Hunger Games. This morning, the news came out that West Side Story actress, Rachel Zegler, will play Lucy Gray Baird. She’ll be one of the major characters in the Francis Lawrence-directed film. Zegler joins the newly announced Tom Blyth in the part of young Coriolanus Snow. He plays the character that became famous by Donald Sutherland’s rendition in the original trilogy.

The studio confirmed Zegler’s role as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. It is an extension of the Hunger Games saga that occurs decades before Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen’s exploits. Katniss participated in the 74th Hunger Games, whereas Baird will compete in the 10th Hunger Games.

Source: Trinikid

The Hunger Games Sequel Is Part of Suzanne Collins Franchise

Suzanne Collins, whose books became the $3 billion blockbuster franchise, wrote a prequel novel in 2020. It served as the basis for The Hunger Games Prequel’s Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from the impoverished District 12. She sings at a key point during the reaping ritual in the film.

“Our casting team, Deb Zane and Dylan Jury, spearheaded an exhaustive search, reading hundreds of actors in search of our perfect Lucy Gray. That search ended when Rachel Zegler blew the roof off with her depth and breadth of talent as an actor, singer, and performer,” said producer Nina Jacobson in a statement. “Rachel is utterly compelling; just like Lucy Gray, her voice and charisma command the stage while her inner strength and humanity transform those around her.”

Suzanne Collins, whose books got turned into the $3 billion blockbuster series, published a prequel novel in 2020 that serves as the basis for The Hunger Games sequel. Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from the impoverished District 12, sings at a key point during the reaping ritual in the film. Zegler co-stars with Tom Blyth as the 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow.
Songbirds is a 500-plus page novel about Coriolanus Snow, an 18-year-old who they chose as a student mentor to a District 12 tribute in the annual Hunger Games. The book shows a softer side of the ambitious one-day tyrant while also diving into the genesis of the games.

What The Crew Said About Rachel Zegler

Source: Vogue

“When you read Suzanne’s book, Lucy Gray’s emotional intelligence, physical agility, and fiercely powerful, determined singing voice shine through. Rachel embodies all of those skills – she is the perfect choice for our Lucy Gray,” said Nathan Kahane, president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

“Like everybody, I first saw Rachel Zegler in West Side Story, and like everybody, I knew I was watching a star who would command the screen for a generation,” said Lawrence. “Lucy Gray is a perfect match for her as an actress: the character is bold, independent, and defiant, but also vulnerable, emotional, and loving. Rachel will make this character unforgettable.”

Michael Lesslie (Macbeth, starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, and Assassin’s Creed) wrote the most recent draft of the screenplay. Lesslie is expanding on Collins’ and Michael Arndt’s work (Oscar-winning screenwriter of Little Miss Sunshine, as well as one of the scribes on Catching Fire). Collins’ best-selling novel inspired the screenplay. The studio’s overseers are Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien.

For her performance as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, Zegler received Best Actress nominations from both the National Board of Review and the Golden Globes. She’ll next appear in DC Comics’ Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which comes to cinemas in December, alongside Zachary Levi, Helen Mirren, and Lucy Liu. She is currently shooting the title role in Marc Webb’s live-action Snow White. ICM and Freundlich Law represent her.