
The stars of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes are opening up about the highly anticipated film.
Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth and Josh Andrés Rivera stopped by Good Morning America on Thursday to tease what fans can expect when the movie arrives in theaters on November 17.
Rivera says the movie, based on the book by Suzanne Collins, “goes into the history of Coriolanus Snow, who ends up becoming the dictator that he is in the original trilogy.”
Snow was perfectly played by Donald Sutherland in the previous Hunger Games films, and Blyth, who plays the younger version of the character, said those were “some very big shoes to fill.”
However, Blyth said he and director Francis Lawrence “talked very early on about kind of giving ourselves artistic license to not try and copycat Donald’s amazing performance — because how could you?”
Zegler, who plays Lucy Gray Baird, said she felt pressure coming into a franchise with such a dedicated fanbase as the one The Hunger Games has garnered throughout the years, but said they all came in as big fans themselves.
“It was pretty intense to step in, but we’ve been welcomed with open arms from not only Francis, who directed Catching Fire and the Mockingjay films, but also the crew that came back to do these movies with us, as well,” she said.
Zegler said she did “almost all” of her own stunts for the film, adding, “It’s a very, very intense film to do your own stunts on.”
The young cast praised the veteran actors who are also part of the film — notably Jason Schwartzman, Viola Davis and Peter Dinklage.
“I’m still pinching myself,” Blyth said. “It’s the best training you can get as an actor, to work with your heroes.”
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes secured a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement that allows cast members to promote the film during the ongoing actors strike.
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Judge rules Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband owes her $2.6 million for “unlawfully” negotiating deals for her
December 1, 2023
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock in early 2020; David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty…
Music notes: Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo and more
December 1, 2023
Bowen Yang has nothing but nice words to say about Ariana Grande. The Saturday Night Live cast…
‘Home Alone’ star Macaulay Culkin honored during Walk of Fame ceremony
December 1, 2023
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesMacaulay Culkin received a Walk of Fame star this week. The actor, 43, who…
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joins ‘RoboForce: The Animated Series’
December 1, 2023
The Nacelle Company; ABC/Paula LoboDwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia's Seven Bucks Productions is…
Stephen Colbert getting back to ‘The Late Show Monday’ following appendix surgery
December 1, 2023
CBS/Mary Ellen MatthewsABC Audio has confirmed Stephen Colbert will be back behind the desk at The…
“Doja who?” was Dionne Warwick’s reaction to her song being sampled in “Paint the Town Red”
December 1, 2023
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversalDoja Cat's "Paint the Town Red" became her second number one a few months…
Jodie Foster on the how “amazing” it is acting in her 60s, mentoring and Marvel movies
December 1, 2023
Elyse Jankowski/FilmMagicJodie Foster's first Oscar nomination came at just 14 years old for her…
Reality Roundup: Rachel Leviss gets a podcast, ’90 Day Fiancé’ couple has a baby and more
December 1, 2023
Have no fear, your reality roundup is here! Here's a look at what happened in the world of reality…