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Hunger Games Prequel Gets SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snake, prequel to The Hunger Games, has officially received an agreement from SAG-AFTRA, allowing film stars Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage and Hunter Schafer to promote the film before it premieres in theatres this November. By: Dylan Low

With the agreement granting a late-breaking boost in publicity, it will be beneficial to get people to go to the cinemas before Thanksgiving. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes cost up to $100 million for production, recognised as a gamble as the first instalment in the iconic franchise in eight years, and the first without star actress Jennifer Lawrence.

Amidst the current actor strike, mainstream films that did not get interim agreements, namely Sony comedy film Dumb Money that featured Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson and America Ferrera, had struggles at the box office without red carpets and show appearances. Other huge budget films such as Dune 2 have moved to 2024, with actors Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya unable to convince Warner Bros ahead of its original 2023 release date.

With the interim agreement set, the cast are anticipating to attend film premieres in Berlin and London. Other than press opportunities, the cast is free to post about the prequel on social media platforms.

Following news of the interim agreement, film star Rachel Zegler posted a long statement on social media to thank Lionsgate and SAG-AFTRA for “working so hard throughout this strike to come to an agreement.”

“Lionsgate’s efforts are proof that studios, big and small, can meet us in a place of fairness for their films and the people who work so hard to make them.” She highlighted.

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