We once were a Hunger Games fan site and we’re not sad about that. We were sad that part of our lives was over. Those memories are some of the best memories of our lives.
We counted that door as closed and we were wrong. We were wrong, because it is very much alive with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Now, yes, there was a point where we were against this movie (we can admit it), but that is because we couldn’t imagine anything in Panem with another cast. Well that and we couldn’t imagine President Snow ever being semi-human.
Here’s the plot summary of, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, “follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post- war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.”
We guess there is a villian origin story for everyone. You’ll never be able to convince us that he isn’t one.
But moving forward, our fandom loving hearts will not second guess the movie because it has the person who matters the mosts seal of approval. The Hunger Games‘ official account shared a letter to fans written by Suzanne Collins, herself.
“As the WGA strike has concluded, I’ve been able to view the final cut of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and I’m thrilled to recommend it,” the letter began, “The book was an attempt to explore the state of nature debate through the tale of young President Snow while lifting the veils on the origin of the Hunger Games, which were not only designed to punish the districts but to remind the audience of human beings’ essential character. And I need to begin with a huge thank you to everybody involved in the making of this film, you’ve done an incredible job bringing this story to life!”
Collins went on to praise people both in front of and behind the screen, praising the cast, “We have a wonderful ensemble led by beautifully-layered performances from our conflicted snake, Tom Blyth, and our siren-voiced songbird, Rachel Zegler, with fabulous turns by Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andres Rivera, Fionnula Flanagan and Jason Schwartzman. The entire troupe lifts the characters from the pages and embodies their complicated, soulful, hungry selves with intelligence, compassion, and flair.”
We do have to say that the thing that meant the most to us was that Collins also acknowledged the readers and the fans, “Onscreen and off, The Hunger Games don’t exist without an audience. Thanks to those of you who read the books, see the films and continue the journey we began years ago in District 12. I very mcuh appreciate getting to travel with you all.”
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes hits theaters on November 17th.
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) November 4, 2023
