The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Gets November 2023 Release Date

The odds are ever in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ favor.

During its CinemaCon panel, Lionsgate announced the release date for the Hunger Games prequel film for next year.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which is currently in production, has been set for a theatrical release on November 17, 2023.

Lionsgate also revealed a short teaser for the prequel. But don’t get your hopes too high, the footage didn’t show any of the film’s actual footage or cast details.

Instead, the clip consisted of shots of icy tree branches with a gold text reading, “The world will discover… who is a songbird… and who is a snake.”

Filmmaker Francis Lawrence returns to the world of Hunger Games once again after having previously directed the sequels Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part One and Mockingjay Part Two.

Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins, based on her bestselling novel, will pen the script with screenwriters Michael Arndt and Michael Lesslie.

Lawrence will also produce along with franchise producers Nina Jacobson and her producing partner Brad Simpson. Collins will also serve as executive producer with Tim Palen.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place decades before the time of Katniss Everdeen and focuses on a young Coriolanus Snow, who later on becomes the tyrannical president of Panem.

According to the book’s synopsis, it takes the readers back to the tenth annual Hunger Games in the Capital, where an 18-year-old Coriolanus is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. In the wake of House of Snow’s fading glory days, Coriolanus has to give it his all to get the chance to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him as he’s assigned the task of mentoring the female tribute from District 12. Every step Coriolanus takes will have an impact on both their fates.

About The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is an upcoming film based on the book of the same name by American author Suzanne Collins. It is a spin-off and a prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy.

The film adaptation from Lionsgate is expected to release in late 2023 or early 2024. Director Francis Lawrence will return to direct. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are returning as producers. Collins and Michael Arndt will adapt the screenplay.

The dystopian action-adventure novel follows 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, who is chosen to mentor a tribute in the upcoming 10th Hunger Games.