Is The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Darker Than Hunger Games? New Trailer Certainly Looks Like It

Given the popularity of The Hunger Games at the beginning of the last decade, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood sought to further capitalize on the success of Suzanne Collins's series of books. Fortunately for fans of the franchise, that time has come. The trailer for the upcoming prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, has recently been unveiled, offering fans a wealth of information.

First of all, Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler appear perfectly cast as star-crossed lovers, confirming Hollywood's high expectations for them as up-and-coming A-listers. Additionally, Peter Dinklage and Viola Davis come across as truly menacing in their roles as the main antagonists, heightening fan anticipation for the film even further.

New Direction

Though the concept of pitting innocent teenagers against each other in a deadly battle royale seemed pretty dark and controversial when the first part of the Mockingjay saga premiered in 2012, it appears that the creators have opted to make the upcoming film darker still.

The trailer makes the familiar elements of The Hunger Games seem even more ominous and controversial, with the arena scenes appearing absolutely brutal. This is particularly true in a brief moment where a 14-year-old attempts to kill Lucy with an axe.

'Man, these trailers just give very dark and twisted vibes! If the movie manages to maintain that tone we are in for a treat (in a good way?),' a fan said.

In any case, fans are confident that the decision to darken the tone of The Hunger Games is the right one. Given that fans of the original series have matured, they're eager to see a modern twist on the familiar narrative.

Fans are grateful that Hollywood chose not to simply replicate the same winning formula and has instead decided to experiment with the film's mood.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set to be released in U.S. theaters on November 17, 2023.

Source: Reddit.