5 Major Ways Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Copies Hunger Games Already
Looks like The Hunger Games prequel will have more ties to the original franchise than we thought.
The trailer for The Hunger Games spin-off is out, and all the dystopian fans out there have taken to social media to discuss the Lionsgate project, which hits theaters this November.
Here are five key ways The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is connected to its parent franchise, based on the promo.
The Hunger Games Prequel
In the modern age of reboots and remakes, fans find it refreshing that the Hunger Games universe will not be altered but rather expanded by the story of the Games evolving into a spectacle. The upcoming film is based on Suzanne Collins' novel, which has been highly acclaimed by readers worldwide and has provided an additional understanding of how and why things worked the way they did in the era of Katniss Everdeen.
Familiar Characters
The prequel features some characters that fans of the original saga know all too well. Its protagonist is the young Coriolanus Snow, who is destined to become the hated, tyrannical leader of Panem. The spin-off will show him becoming a mentor for the Hunger Games and falling for his tribute, Lucy Gray Baird.
Another familiar face is Tigris Snow, Coriolanus' cousin, who later joins Katniss in the resistance. In addition, many fans will recognize Caesar Flickerman in his ancestor Lucretius, who hosts the Games.
General Vibe
Fans noted that the trailer, with its strong female lead, romantic storyline, dystopian setting, and theme of good and evil in all of us, echoes the general vibe of the original movie series. This is probably due in part to the involvement of Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the four original films.
New Katniss
The two protagonists of the spin-off and the original franchise, Lucy and Katniss, have a lot in common. They're both from District 12, they're both strong, independent young women, and they're both willing to do whatever it takes to win the Games, as long as it doesn't mean compromising their principles.
Eagle-eyed fans have noticed that even some of the heroines' movements are exactly the same. The way Lucy bows after the reaping mirrors the way Katniss bowed to the judges during the private sessions. While this is an obvious nod to the beloved character, could it possibly mean something else? Speaking of that, there is actually a fan theory that Lucy is Katniss' grandmother.
'It's the things we love most that destroy us.'
Another big reference to the original series is Snow's iconic line from Mockingjay – Part 1, which is placed at the end of the trailer. It proves that the main theme of the prequel will remain exactly the same as in the original movies — the conflict between love and duty.