Jason Schwartzman cast in Hunger Games prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Serpents

Jason Schwartzman has joined the cast of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel to the Hunger Games tetralogy.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Schwartzman will play Lucretius Lucky Flickerman, host of the 10th Hunger Games and ancestor of Caesar Flickerman, who will become the voice of Panem and is portrayed by Stanley Tucci in the original Hunger Games films.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is directed by Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, the tribute girl from impoverished District 12.

Tom Blyth appears as Coriolanus Snow, a young version of the character played by Donald Sutherland in the original films.

Josh Andrés Rivera plays Sejanus Plinth, the mentor of a District 2 tribute and close friend of young Coriolanus Snow.

Nick Benson, Laurel Marsden, Lilly Cooper, Luna Steeples and Hiroki Berrecloth were reportedly added to the cast last week.

Hunter Schafer is defined as Tigris Snow, cousin and confidant of Coriolanus.

Francis Lawrence, who helmed three of the four Hunger Games films – Catching Fire, Mockingjay: Part One and Mockingjay: Part Two – is back in the director’s chair. The most recent version of the script was written by Michael Leslie.

Lawrence is also producer of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes alongside franchise producer Nina Jacobson and her partner Brad Simpson.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the logline for the Lionsgate prequel reads: “Years before he becomes the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the last hope of his dwindling bloodline, a family once proud who fell from grace in a post-war Capitol.

“With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, young Snow is alarmed when he is named a mentor to Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from impoverished District 12.

“But after Lucy Gray got Panem’s full attention by singing defiantly during the harvest ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the tide in their favor.

“By uniting their showmanship instincts and their newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird and a snake.”

Schwartzman recently had a recurring role on Showtime comedy series I Love That for You (available on Voot Select in India) and the second season of HBO dark comedy The Righteous Gemstones (available on Disney+ Hotstar in India).

He will next be seen in Asteroid City, which reunites him with director and frequent collaborator Wes Anderson. Asteroid City also features Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Liev Schreiber, Tom Hanks, and Margot Robbie, among many others.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set to be released on November 17, 2023 in cinemas worldwide.