Jennifer Lawrence offers her advice to the stars of the upcoming prequel to The Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Based on the popular book series by author Suzanne Collins, the first Hunger Games movie was released in 2012. The film introduced audiences to Lawrence's Katniss Everdeen, who voluntarily takes her sister's place in a lethal competition known as the Hunger Games, which pits representatives of different districts against each other in a battle to the death. The Hunger Games was a hit at the box office and would ultimately kickstart a franchise that now consists of 4 films in total, with a fifth on the way.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
Billed as a prequel to The Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is expected to tell the origin story of franchise villain Coriolanus Snow as he develops feelings for the female District 12 tribute, back during the 10th Hunger Games. Details for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes remain scarce, but some cast members for the film have already been announced, including West Side Story's Rachel Zegler, who will play Lucy Gray Baird, and Tom Blyth, who will play the young Snow. Rounding out the supporting cast of the Hunger Games prequel are Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Viola Davis, and Jason Schwartzman.
Now, in a new interview with Film Updates at the Toronto International Film Festival, Lawrence offers her advice to Zegler, Blyth, and the other stars of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The actor keeps things light and encouraging in her message to the next generation of Hunger Games stars. Check out Lawrence's full comment below:
"Oh, and the prequel? You guys are going to have the best time. Just have fun — don't worry about anything."
It's now been 7 years since Lawrence last appeared in the franchise, with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 concluding the story of Katniss and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). While Lawrence has gone on to appear in a number of high-profile films in subsequent years, the star still clearly looks back on her time in the Hunger Games franchise fondly. After all, her role as Katniss, which she earned when she was in her early 20s, is partly responsible for catapulting her to worldwide fame and kick-starting the successful acting career that she enjoys today.
Although the first two Hunger Games films fared well with critics, the latter two were slightly more divisive, meaning the pressure is on for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes to breathe new life into the franchise. Zegler already has several big films in the works and is a well-known star, but the advice from Lawrence will surely be welcome, especially since the source material for the upcoming Hunger Games prequel is so beloved and fan expectations are high. Thankfully, however, it sounds like the environment on the set of the first 4 movies was very fun, which bodes well for Zegler and the other stars of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.