West Side Story star Rachel Zegler is set to star in Lionsgate’s upcoming Hunger Games prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
The actress recently teased the announcement in a tweet she posted saying, “listen up….. can y’all grow restfully? are you becoming an individual resting decisively?” Turns out the first letter of each word in her tweet spells out the main character’s name, Lucy Gray Baird.
The film is based on Suzanne Collins’ 2020 book and the story takes place decades before Katniss Everdeen’s adventures in The Hunger Games. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes centers on a young 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, an ambitious boy who eventually becomes the tyrannical leader of the dystopian country of Panem. Tom Blyth (Billy the Kid and The Gilded Age) will play Snow.
In the story, 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, during the 10th Hunger Games. “The unassuming Lucy Gray sparks everyone’s attention by singing during the reaping ceremony. With her talent and charm, Snow believes he may be able to turn the odds in their favor to win the games.”
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Nathan Kahane said in a statement: “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.”
The film is being helmed by franchise director Francis Lawrence, and he added: “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. 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.”
Producer Nina Jacobson went on to say: “Lucy Gray is an incredibly complex character, a performer who has to use every skill in her arsenal to survive. 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. 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.”
Zegler will appear next in Shazam! Fury of the Gods alongside and will about appear in Disney’s live-action Snow White.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released in theaters on November 17th, 2023.