‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’: Reasons why this will be different from the previous Hunger Games

This November, the prequel to The Hunger Games, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," will make its theatrical debut, promising to be different from the original. The initial teaser of the  prequel, released in April 2023, showed a variety of intriguing aspects, from its star-studded cast to its unique visual aesthetic. Here is how this  prequel is  said to be different from the previous Hunger Games films. 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes creators are returning to Panem with a brand-new and completely different visual style. In Katniss' story, the Capitol is depicted as obviously futuristic and featuring cutting-edge technology considerably superior to that found in the Districts. However, Panem, which took place 64 years earlier, has a distinctively vintage feel to it, with televisions and cameras that harken back to the 1950s. 

Despite coming from the same district, Lucy Grey, the District 12 tribute, is a sharp contrast to Katniss. In contrast to Lucy Grey, who immediately captures the attention of the Capitol audience, Katniss maintained a stern demeanor and showed little interest in the grandeur of the Capitol. She is a member of the Covey, a traveling band. Because of her talent on the guitar and in song, she quickly wins the Capitol's favor. Lucy Grey actively works to establish her unique identity, in comparison to Katniss. 

Coriolanus finds himself engaged in a romantic relationship with Lucy Grey. However, in contrast to Katniss and Peeta's love, their relationship takes on a noticeably darker tone. Katniss and Peeta exhibit an unflinching dedication to each other's survival as evidenced in the events of "Catching Fire," willingly participating in their respective Hunger Games on an equal footing. Coriolanus and Lucy Grey, on the other hand, do not stand on an equal basis. 

Effie Trinket (Emily Banks), who later fled the Capitol to join everyone in District 13, was the only Capitol resident able to connect with viewers in the original films. However, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will draw attention to Coriolanus and his family's struggle to keep their home and family name. Even if their troubles are incomparable to those encountered by residents of the Districts, it is a notable departure for the series to even mention the difficulties Capitol dwellers confront. 

Although Francis Lawrence, who directed the final three films in the Hunger Games series, is back, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes introduces a completely new story that takes place 64 years before the crucial moment when Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) volunteered to be a tribute.