Viola Davis to Take Up Villainous Role in ‘The Hunger Games’ Prequel

Academy Award winner Viola Davis has been cast as Dr. Volumnia Gaul in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the upcoming Hunger Games prequel directed by franchise veteran Francis Lawrence. The acclaimed director was at the helm of three out of the four previous films in the series.

Dr. Gaul is the head gamemaker of the tenth annual Hunger Games, and is described by Lawrence as “cruel, creative, fearsome and formidable”. The filmmaker also stated that Gaul’s presence influences the development of the young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) into the ruthless President seen in the original films, played by Donald Sutherland.

Lionsgate motion picture group president Nathan Kahane mentioned the following regarding the casting: “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. Her formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and menace to this story”.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released in theaters on November 17th, 2023. In the meantime, Davis can be seen in The Woman King. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and produced by Julius Tennon, Maria Bello, Cathy Shulman and Davis herself, the film will release domestically on September 16th, 2022 after debuting at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.

Source: THR