Rachel Zegler to star in 'Hunger Games' prequel

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/rachel-zegler-to-star-in-hunger-games-prequel/2022/05/31/99b247fa-e0f2-11ec-ae64-6b23e5155b62_story.html

NEW YORK — Fresh off her breakthrough role in Steven Spielberg's “West Side Story,” Rachel Zegler will star in Lionsgate’s planned “Hunger Games” prequel.

The studio announced Tuesday that Zegler will play Lucy Gray Baird in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” an extension of the “Hunger Games” saga that takes place decades before the adventures of Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen. Katniss played in the 74th Hunger Games; Baird will be a part of the 10th Hunger Games.

Susan Collins, whose books were adapted into the $3 billion blockbuster franchise, in 2020 published a prequel novel upon which “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is based. In the film, Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from the impoverished District 12, sings in a pivotal moment during the reaping ceremony. Zegler stars opposite Tom Blyth, who plays the 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow.

“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.”

Lionsgate is to release the movie in theaters Nov. 17, 2023.

I’m glad she’s getting roles, it’s just a shame she’s appearing the likes of this and Snow White which feel destined to suck.

Globefan said: "She's the Julie Andrews of the new generation with her fast rise!"

I've been saying this! She really is!! Hope she gets that Oscar someday.

Has there been recent output from the Hunger Games franchise beyond this book (which has good reviews, and I enjoyed)?

I hope Rachel gets to meet Julie at some point

Anyone know why Broadway hasn't recruited her yet? I love this Julie Andrews trajectory though. However, her agent should make sure that she auditions for smaller dramas/comedy films. Blockbusters can be a mixed bag.

From what I hear, her part in the Hunger Games is very much a singing role.

She has time. I’m sure Broadway is on her to do list.

Globefan said: "She's the Julie Andrews of the new generation with her fast rise!"

I know right? Here's something interesting, a friend of mine said that Rachel Zegler's career trajectory is like what would happen if Judy Garland made her film debut with The Wizard of Oz instead of the smaller films she did in the 1930s before that.

So happy for her and I'm honestly excited for what she brings in the future.

Rachel Zegler's version of the song 'The Hanging Tree':

The novel has a ton of lyrics in it. Zegler's playing a member of the Coveys, who are kind of musical outsiders in the more straight laced District 12 community. They sing, dance, and entertain the miners after long days of work. The songs are key plot points for a lot of the stories being told.