THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES Photo Offers First Look at Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth

Lionsgate shared a new photo from The Hunger Games prequel film The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The photo offers a first look at Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird and Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow having a little romantic moment together.

The film is based on Suzanne Collins’ 2020 book, and the story takes place decades before Katniss Everdeen’s adventures. The story focuses on a young 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, an ambitious boy who eventually becomes the tyrannical leader of the dystopian country of Panem.

Here’s the synopsis:

Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy Gray’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.

The film also stars Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Jason Schwartzman.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is being helmed by franchise director Francis Lawrence and will be released in theaters on November 17th, 2023.