The prequel to Jennifer Lawrence’s popular film series, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, was released this week in theatres. Starring Rachel Zegler alongside Tom Blyth, the movie has received mixed reviews, with some criticizing the film for its runtime and lack of thrill as the previous films, while others praise its cast.
However, fans of the franchise did not seem very pleased when the studio announced Zegler among the cast of The Hunger Games prequel, as the actress once shared that she received death threats after landing the role of Lucy Gray Baird in the film.
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Rachel Zegler Received Death Threats After Being Cast in The Hunger Games Prequel
Based on the book of the same name by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is set 64 years before the events of the 2012 film. The movie follows the future tyrant of Panem Coriolanus Snow teaming up with Lucy Gray Baird during the 10th annual Hunger Games.
In 2022, Lionsgate revealed that Rachel Zegler would be starring alongside Tom Blyth as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games prequel. The 22-year-old actress addressed the news in one of her YouTube videos, in which she also revealed the negative reactions surrounding her casting.
“They just announced my casting in The Hunger Games prequel as Lucy Gray Baird,” she said before adding, “I couldn’t be more thrilled.” As the actress shared her excitement for landing the role in the prequel, she also talked about the death threats she had been receiving due to the same.
“I’m so excited, and yet simultaneously, people are telling me to die,” she said in the video. The West Side Story actress further wished that “people would stop sending [her] death threats,” stating that she is grateful for the things and opportunities she has in life.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Expected to Have a $50 Million Opening
Released this week in theatres, Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth’s The Hunger Games: The Balled of Songbirds & Snakes has recorded the lowest Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score in the franchise. Based on the same, it has been estimated that the prequel could gain less box office revenue than the previous movies in the series.
Deadline has projected that the film could have a $50 million domestic opening and is also eyeing the same for its international opening. The opening of the film is expected to be a solid start for the movie made on an estimated budget of $100 million.
However, it would still be less than the earlier The Hunger Games movies. The first two films topped $150 million in their opening weekend, with Mockingjay — Part 1 and Mockingjay — Part 2 grossing $121 million and $102 million, respectively in their opening weekends.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is playing in theatres.
