Josh Andrés Rivera cast in Hunger Games prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Serpents

West Side Story’s Josh Andrés Rivera has been cast in The Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, alongside co-star and beau Rachel Zegler.

Rivera will play Sejanus Plinth, the mentor of a District 2 tribute and close friend of young Coriolanus Snow, who will be played by Tom Blyth in the Hunger Games prequel film, The Hollywood Reporter reported.

Rachel was roped in to play Lucy Gray, the impoverished District 12 female tribute.

Francis Lawrence is returning to the franchise to direct. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are also returning to produce for the franchise with Lawrence.

Photo credit: Instagram / Rachel Zegler

Rachel took to Instagram and said she had “never been prouder” of her boyfriend Josh Andres Rivera after it was announced he would be starring in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in its ratings.

“I have never been so proud of anyone in my life, let me tell you,” she wrote alongside a replay of the casting news.

rachel too share the update on his Twitter account.

Rachel and Rivera began dating after starring opposite each other in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a remake of the 1961 film adaptation of the 1957 musical of the same name.

Rachel played Maria, Ansel Elgort’s Tony love interest in the film, while Rivera portrayed Chino, Maria’s would-be love interest who becomes the main antagonist in the fight between the Sharks and Jets.

The upcoming Hunger Games prequel film is based on Suzanne Collins’ book, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Serpents,” which follows a young Snow as he is chosen to mentor Lucy Gray.

Jennifer Lawrence helmed the original tetralogy – based on Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy of novels – which grossed over $2.97 billion (about Rs. 232 crore) during its run between 2012 and 2015.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Serpents is set for a worldwide theatrical release on November 17, 2023.