The Hunger Games Prequel Reveals First Round of Tributes and Mentors

Lionsgate has expanded the cast of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel to the hit The Hunger Games franchise. Joining as tributes and mentors opposite leads Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler are Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, and Aamer Husain. The movie is based on the bestselling novel by Suzanne Collins with Blyth portraying a young Coriolanus Snow, and Zegler playing Lucy Gray Baird. The five additions to the cast include tributes as well as mentors as they all prepare to compete in the 10th annual Hunger Games. 

Lance will play Marcus, a tribute from District 2; Liao will play Clemensia Dovecote, one of Coriolanus’s closest friends and mentor to a tribute from District 11; Knox Gibson will play Bobbin, a tribute from District 8; Lansing will play Coral, tribute from District 4; and Husain will play Felix Ravinstill, mentor to a tribute from District 11.

Francis Lawrence, who previously directed the franchise’s Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part One, and Mockingjay Part Two, is returning to direct The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The film’s being shepherded by franchise producer Nina Jacobson and her producing partner Brad Simpson, along with Francis Lawrence. Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen, and Jim Miller will serve as executive producers.

“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,” Lawrence said when Zegler’s casting was announced. “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.”

“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,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Nathan Kahane. In her own statement, Suzanne Collins praised the chance to re-team with the studio on another adaptation of her books: “Lionsgate has always been the cinematic home of The Hunger Games, and I’m delighted to be returning to them with this new book.”

A synopsis of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes reads: “Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler), the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.

Bios for Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, and Aamer Husain can be found below. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes opens in theaters on November 17, 2023. 

Jerome Lance

JEROME LANCE is in his final year at Royal Welsh, and in the current cohort of Open Door.  He recently performed his own writing at their Donmar Showcase. He is represented by The Artists Partnership.

Ashley Liao

ASHLEY LIAO recently shot the lead role in the ACE Entertainment feature Loveboat Taipei, which is based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name. Liao played the teenage version of Ali Wong in the Netflix romantic comedy “Always Be My Maybe,” and starred as Princess Eleanor in the Disney+ original movie “Secret Society of Second Born Royals.” She also had a leading role in the Debby Ryan-produced film “Jessica Darling’s It List.” She had a series regular role in the Apple TV+ series “Physical” opposite Rose Byrne. Best known for her role as Lola in the Netflix series “Fuller House,” Liao has also guest starred on numerous series including “N.C.I.S.,” “N.C.I.S.: Los Angeles,” “Speechless,” “Fresh Off the Boat,” and “Bad Teacher.” She is represented by Innovative Artists, Semler Entertainment, and Skrzyniarz & Mallean.

Knox Gibson

KNOX GIBSON is a confident, energetic 14-year-old boy from Australia, who is also an amputee due to an accident with a lawn mower when he was 3 years old. Knox has been working in the entertainment industry for the past six years; modelling, filming commercials, televisions shows, music videos and short films. He had a breakout role starring as the lead in the Netflix short film “Forgive Us Our Trespasses,” released in February 2022. Additionally, Knox is a national athlete for swimming and is a disability and inclusion advocate. He believes that positive representation of people with disabilities onscreen is incredibly important as it leads to more acceptance in society and it challenges negative stereotypes and preconceived ideas. He is represented by C Talent.

Mackenzie Lansing

MACKENZIE LANSING is a French/American actress best known for her work on HBO’s “The Deuce” and “Mare of Easttown.” She will next be seen in Allswell, set to premiere at Tribeca, and recently filmed a role for Gareth Edwards’ True Love with John David Washington. Lansing spent her childhood in Congo and France, beginning her acting career on the Paris stage. She moved to New York to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She rounded out her conservatory education by attending The Labyrinth Summer Intensive and Maggie Flanigan Studio. Her transition into film and television began with guest spots on “Red Oaks” and “Tell Me a Story.” She is repped by Clear Talent Group and MJ Management.

Aamer Husain

AAMER HUSAIN appeared on “Hudson & Rex.” He is an Indian American/Canadian actor who speaks English, Urdu, and Arabic fluently.  He is represented by The Characters Agency & David Dean Management. Photo below, credit Curtis & Cort Photography: