Rachel Zegler forged in ‘Hunger Games’ prequel as Lucy Gray Baird

By IANS

LOS ANEGLES: ‘West Side Story’ actor Rachel Zegler is about to star in ‘The Hunger Games’ prequel ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’.

Zegler had prompted hypothesis about her casting after she tweeted on Monday evening: “Listen up.. can y’all grow restfully? are you becoming an individual resting decisively?” As eagle-eyed followers identified, the primary letter of every phrase in her tweet spells out the primary character’s identify, Lucy Gray Baird.

https://t.co/CCjQ7DIncN pic.twitter.com/EXKXqnzLne

— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) May 31, 2022

The film is being tailored from Suzanne Collins’ 2020 e-book of the identical identify, which takes place a long time earlier than Katniss Everdeen’s adventures in ‘The Hunger Games’, reviews ‘Variety’.

That means Jennifer Lawrence, who shot to superstardom because the Girl on Fire, doesn’t seem within the prequel story.

Instead, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ centres on Coriolanus Snow, an formidable boy who finally turns into the tyrannical chief of the dystopian nation of Panem.

As beforehand introduced, Tom Blyth (‘Billy the Kid’ and ‘The Gilded Age’) will play the younger Snow.

In the upcoming film, 18-year-old Snow is chosen to mentor Lucy Gray, the feminine tribute from the impoverished District 12, in the course of the tenth Hunger Games.

As launched in ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy, which have been developed into 4 function movies, the barbaric televised occasion randomly selects two youngsters from every district to struggle to the demise.

In the novel, the unassuming Lucy Gray sparks everybody’s consideration by singing in the course of the reaping ceremony. With her expertise and allure, Snow believes he might be able to flip the percentages of their favour to win the video games.

Given Lucy Gray’s vocal prowess, it is no shock that Zegler, who beat out hundreds to star as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed ‘West Side Story’ remake, landed the lead position in ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’.

Zegler will seem subsequent in ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ alongside Zachary Levi, Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu; and Disney’s live-action ‘Snow White’.

“When you read Suzanne’s book, Lucy Gray’s emotional intelligence, physical agility, and fiercely powerful, determined singing voice shine through. Rachel embodies all of those skills – she is the perfect choice for our Lucy Gray,” mentioned Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Nathan Kahane.

‘Hunger Games’ veteran Francis Lawrence returned to direct the upcoming movie, which can start manufacturing later this yr. Michael Arndt, who wrote the franchise’s second installment ‘Catching Fire’, was supposed to jot down the screenplay, however he is handed on duties to Michael Lesslie (‘Macbeth’, starring Michael Fassbender).

“Like everybody, I first saw Rachel Zegler in ‘West Side Story,’ and like everybody, I knew I was watching a star who would command the screen for a generation,” mentioned Francis Lawrence.

“Lucy Gray is a perfect match for her as an actress: the character is bold, independent and defiant, but also vulnerable, emotional and loving. Rachel will make this character unforgettable.”

Franchise producer Nina Jacobson and her producing companion Brad Simpson will oversee the most recent ‘Hunger Games’ installment, together with Francis Lawrence. Collins, Tim Palen and Jim Miller will function govt producers.

“Lucy Gray is an incredibly complex character, a performer who has to use every skill in her arsenal to survive,” Jacobson mentioned. Our casting staff, Deb Zane and Dylan Jury, spearheaded an exhaustive search, studying lots of of actors seeking our excellent Lucy Gray.

That search ended when Rachel Zegler blew the roof off together with her depth and breadth of expertise as an actor, singer and performer. Rachel is completely compelling; similar to Lucy Gray, her voice and charisma command the stage whereas her internal power and humanity rework these round her.”

‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ shall be launched in theatres on November 17.