Just weeks after “The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes” added Rachel Zegler to its cast list, another Hollywood up-and-comer joins the cast, too. And this time, it’s Hunter Schafer, one of the stars of Sam Levison‘s hit HBO teen drama, “Euphoria.”
READ MORE: Rachel Zegler Cast As Lucy Gray Baird In ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel
Variety reports that Schafer joins Zegler and Tom Blyth as the newest cast member of the upcoming “The Hunger Games” prequel. And who will Schafer play? She’s Tigris Snow, the cousin and close confidant of Blyth’s Coriolanus Snow, who fans of the series know as a despotic tyrant Donald Sutherland plays in the original films. “Songbirds And Snakes” follows a younger Coriolanus as he seeks political ascension in the Capital and grooms Zegler’s tribute Lucy Gray Baird to win the Hunger Games and make that happen.
Francis Lawrence returns to the series to direct “Songbirds And Snakes,” based on series creator Suzanne Collins‘ 2020 novel of the same name. Lawrence previously directed “Catching Fire,” “Mockingjay Part One,” and “Mockingjay Part Two” in the film series. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson also return to co-produce the film with Lawrence. As for the script, “Assassin’s Creed” scribe Michael Lesslie writes the latest draft, fine-tuning previous ones by Collins and “Little Miss Sunshine” screenwriter Michael Arndt.
Beyond “Euphoria,” Schafer also has a horror movie on deck, “Cuckoo,” by “Luz” director Tilman Singer. She is also well known outside of Hollywood as an LBGTQ+ activist. Additionally, Schafer identifies as a trans woman.
Lionsgate currently has “The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes” penciled in for a November 17, 2023 theatrical release.