Viola Davis has joined the cast of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Davis Head Gamemaker, Dr. Volumnia Gaul in the upcoming film from returning director Francis Lawrence. The Oscar-winning actress will join the ensemble, led by Tom Blyth and Rachel Ziegler, as she helps design the deadly challenges at the 10th annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set to release in theaters worldwide on November 17, 2023.
Nathan Kahane, president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, “The Hunger Games films have always been elevated by their exceptional casting, and we are thrilled to continue that tradition with Viola Davis as Volumnia Gaul.” “His formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and danger to this story.”
Based on the young-adult novels by Susan Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes serves as a prequel and spin-off to The Hunger Games trilogy. Set in the dystopian world of Panem, Lawrence’s latest picks up with 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Blythe) as the last hope for his dying offspring—before he becomes president. As the 10th Hunger Games draw to a close, she is tasked with mentoring Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler), a tribute to a poor District 12 girl.
But after Lucy Gray sings defensively during the ceremony to cut all the panams, Snow believes she may be able to turn the odds in her favor. Two young children team up, uniting their penchant for appearances and new political command, and in a race against time to finally reveal who is the snake and the songwriter between them.
“Dr. Gaul is as creative and as terrifying as he is ruthless. Snow’s savvy as a political operative evolved into the game’s most commanding figure in no small part because of his experiences with him. Don’t happen,” said director Lawrence. Davis’ (The Suicide Squad) character Gaul has been described as the most treacherous, serving as a gamemaker and trainer at the Academy while in an underground lab with horrific “mutations.” Leads the charge.
“From the beginning, Viola has brought Dr. Gaul into every role because of her subtle level of intelligence and emotion. A brilliant and eccentric strategist, Gaul is instrumental in shaping a young Coriolanus Snow into the man he will become. Producer Nina Jacobson said, “We are incredibly fortunate to have an actor with Viola’s extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes stars Hunter Schaefer (Euphoria) as Tigris Snow, Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) as Casca Highbottom, Jason Schwartzman (Moonrise Kingdom) as Lucretius ‘Lucky’ Flickerman, Kjell Brutschaide as Tanner Also shown in. and Ashley Liao as Clemencia Dovecote.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released in theaters worldwide on November 17, 2023.
