From putting on her dancing shoes in West Side Story and playing a classic Disney princess, Rachel Zegler is now preparing her weapons as she has been picked as a tribute in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
On May 31, the official Twitter account of The Hunger Games announced that Zegler is set to star as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games prequel. It wrote: “It’s written in the stars. Rachel Zegler has been cast as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Arriving in theaters November 2023.”
It’s written in the stars. Rachel Zegler has been cast as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Arriving in theaters November 2023 pic.twitter.com/UfLAL6GXMu
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 31, 2022
Zegler’s character, Lucy Gray, is a tribute from District 12 in the 10th Hunger Games who first gained attention when she sang during the day of her reaping—an annual event where the tributes are chosen to compete in the Hunger Games.
Following the official announcement, Zegler shared photos of her reaction when she found out that she had the lead role in the prequel. The West Side Story star also thanked her fans after receiving positive feedback from them.
photos from when i found out it was happening and it was real pic.twitter.com/SL0rV9vfTj
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) May 31, 2022
so much joy. i love movies. i cannot believe i get to make them. i am so thankful that this is my life. thanks for being on this ride with me. see ya later. 💓🕊💛🐍💙
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) May 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/onlyannamaria/status/1531785606623375366?t=5oXwx-aJv7V66wPJwBDGzw&s=19
Congratulations to you Rachel. You go from the streets of New York as Maria to the Capital in The Hunger Games.
— Clay Brice (@clay_brice) May 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/zeglerbrekker/status/1531661608778452995?t=KySXVstKQcvjjirXHbKwQg&s=19
Before Zegler was announced as part of the film’s cast, the actress previously posted a cryptic message that turned out to be an acrostic message as the first letter of each word in the tweet spelled out the name, Lucy Gray Baird.
https://t.co/CCjQ7DIncN pic.twitter.com/EXKXqnzLne
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) May 31, 2022
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is based on Suzanne Collins’ book of the same name. Set in the years before The Hunger Games trilogy took place, the forthcoming film follows the story of young Coriolanus Snow who is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray during the 10th annual Hunger Games.
Alongside Zegler, the film has also cast The Gilded Age actor Tom Blyth to portray young Snow in the film. As of writing, further details and cast members are yet to be announced.
Snow lands on top. @TomBlyth has been cast as Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Arriving in theaters November 2023 pic.twitter.com/X2EiFt94ZW
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 16, 2022
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be helmed by Francis Lawrence with a screenplay penned by Michael Lesslie. The prequel will be produced by Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, and Francis Lawrence, along with Collins, Tim Palen, and Jim Miller, who will executive produce the film.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set for a theatrical release on November 17, 2023.
welcome back, tributes. https://t.co/4TTzJ9PfR7
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) April 28, 2022
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