Viola Davis Joins The Cast Of ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’

The Hunger Games franchise is not slowing down any time soon with an upcoming prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes continuing to pick up steam. However, the most recent news coming from the project is perhaps the most exciting. As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Oscar winner Viola Davis is the latest actor to join the film.

Davis joins the previously cast Tom Blyth, who portrays a young Coriolanus Snow, and Rachel Zegler, who plays district 12 tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. Additionally, Josh Andrés Rivera, Peter Dinklage, and Hunter Schafer will appear in the film in various roles as well. Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the four Hunger Games movies, is back in the director’s chair and will also produce alongside Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins.

READ: Viola Davis To Return As Amanda Waller in DC’s ‘Black Adam’

In a statement accompanying the initial report, Lionsgate motion picture group president Nathan Kahane expresses his joy that Davis is joining the project in a villainous role.

“The Hunger Games films have always been elevated by their exceptional casting, and we are thrilled to be continuing that tradition with Viola Davis as Volumnia Gaul,” he said. Her formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and menace to this story.”

Viola Davis is the only African-American to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting having earned an Oscar, an Emmy, and two Tony Awards. She most recently reprised her role as Amanda Waller in James Gunn’s sequel The Suicide Squad. She also briefly appears as the character in season one of Peacemaker. Additionally, Davis portrays Michelle Obama in season one of the Showtime series The First Lady. Up next, Davis will star alongside Lashana Lynch and John Boyega in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King.

What do you think? Are you excited for Viola Davis in the Hunger Games franchise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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