Lionsgate made the announcement today at the end of their CinemaCon panel that their anticipated Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, finally has a release date set for November 17th, 2023. The film is getting its opening weekend right before Thanksgiving, so it can rake in that holiday rush. The original film’s sequels also opened that week in their respective years, so it makes sense that the studio has locked that time in. It will open in good company alongside DreamWorks Animation’s sequel, The TrollsTopia Movie, and Paramount’s John Krasinski-directed Ryan Reynolds feature, If.
The sequels’ filmmaker, Francis Lawrence is at the helm. The script is being adapted by Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins, based on her bestselling novel, with Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine, Catching Fire), and Michael Lesslie. Collins and Tim Palen also will serve as EPs.
The prequel story is set years prior to the original movies. We see the 18-year old, Coriolanus Snow, who would become the tyrannical President of Panem. The young Snow sees a chance for a change in fortunes when he is chosen to be mentor to Lucy Gray Baird, the girl tribute from impoverished District 12.
Are you looking forward to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
via: Deadline