Movies

Is TBOSAS' Lucy Gray Related to Katniss? The Hunger Games Connection, Explained

Is TBOSAS' Lucy Gray Related to Katniss? The Hunger Games Connection, Explained
Image credit: Lionsgate

The two protagonists could be related.

Considering that the Hunger Games franchise concluded nearly a decade ago, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood endeavored to resurrect the successful dystopian narrative. Producers have now done just that, announcing that Suzanne Collins' new novel set in the same universe, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, will be adapted into a blockbuster movie featuring Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler. The new film will focus on the romantic relationship between aristocrat Coriolanus Snow and District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird.

As the book has proven to be a compelling prequel to the Katniss saga, fans are now psyched about the film adaptation. However, one question lingers - are Katniss and Lucy truly related?

Two Tributes

Both Katniss and Lucy hail from the most impoverished district in Panem, and both emerged as victors of their respective games despite initial skepticism. Consequently, many have speculated that Lucy might be a distant relative of Katniss. Given the small population of District 12, this theory seems plausible.

In tight-knit communities, it's common for many residents to be related by blood, so the possibility that Katniss and Lucy share a closer bond than initially assumed is not that far-fetched. There's another piece of evidence that supports this theory.

Katniss's Father

Lucy is famously known as the composer of The Hanging Tree, a prominent protest song in District 12's history. Given that the song was officially banned and few people knew the lyrics, it was rather surprising to see Katniss's father singing it to her, suggesting he might have known Lucy.

While the protest song might have been simply handed down through generations, fans are convinced that Katniss's father shares a past with Lucy. The upcoming film may validate this long-standing theory by shedding light on the connection between Lucy and Katniss's father.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will open in theaters across the U.S. on November 17, 2023.