Peter Dinklage, known for his roles in Game of Thrones and X-Men: Days of Future Past, will officially star in the film adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel to the hit Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Dinklage joins fellow cast members Hunter Schafer, Rachel Zelger, Tom Blyth, and Laurel Marsden, among others in a story that follows the future President of Panem in his younger years.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, written by Suzanne Collins and published in 2020, follows Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), the future tyrannical president of Panem, through his efforts to regain the status of his war-torn family. The Hunger Games prequel, which takes place 64 years before the events of the first novel, features an 18-year-old Snow as an orphan living with his grandfather and cousin Tigris (Hunter Schafer) as he studies at the Academy, the Capitol’s top school. Due to his academic success at the Academy, Snow is tasked with mentoring Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zelger), a District 12 tribute for the 10th annual Hunger Games; he is initially upset about this, but after Lucy defiantly sings at her reaping ceremony, Snow sees an opportunity to launch both of them to stardom and victory. Snow and Lucy join forces to take on the Games by “uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy…[to] ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake”, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
What We Know about Peter Dinklage in ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’
Peter Dinklage will join the film adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as Dean Casca Highbottom, the head of the Academy and “the austere and vindictive face of the games,” according to director Francis Lawrence. Dinklage has also appeared as Tyrion Lannister in Games of Thrones between 2011 and 2019 and Dr. Bolivar Trask in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). His future roles include appearing as Toxie in the latest adaptation of The Toxic Avenger, and Steven in She Came to Me.
Regarding Peter Dinklage’s casting in the Hunger Games prequel, Lionsgate Studios executive Nathan Kahane told Deadline:
“With production underway, we couldn’t be more excited about the way this cast has come together and thrilled to be welcoming Peter Dinklage to Panem…Peter is not just a fan favorite actor who brings a commanding presence to every part he plays. He is one of the best actors alive. He will bring a formidable, charismatic authority to the important role of the dean of the Academy.”
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Peter Dinklage, is scheduled for a theatrical release on November 17th, 2023. It is currently unclear if the movie will be appearing on any streaming platforms.
