In new casting news for The Hunger Games prequel film The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Oscar winner Viola Davis has been announced as the villainous head game maker, Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

Lionsgate's prequel takes place at the time of the 10th Hunger Games and tells the story of a young Coriolanus Snow before he becomes the frightening dictator, President Snow. Davis joins the already announced Tom Blyth as Snow, Rachel Zegler as District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, Jason Schwartzman as Lucky Flickerman, Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom, and Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow.

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Per The Hollywood Reporter, Davis' character Dr. Gaul is described as cruel and creative by director Francis Lawrence, who is returning to the franchise after having directed 3 of the original 4 movies. Franchise producer Nina Jacobson adds that Davis was always the first choice for the character "because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role." The Hunger Games became one of the biggest franchises based on YA novels and was instrumental in the resurgence of dystopian teen fiction. "[Davis'] formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and menace to this story," added Lionsgate motion picture group president Nathan Kahane.

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"An 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor," reads the official synopsis for the Hunger Games prequel. "Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird and a snake.” The story dives into the motivation of Snow and how he became the feared President of Panem who Katniss Everdeen goes up against in the original Hunger Games trilogy of books.

The original novels were penned by Suzanne Collins, as was the prequel, and were originally adapted into 4 feature-length films, with the final book, Mockingjay, being split into 2 parts for the big screen. The original Hunger Games films starred Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, and Donald Sutherland as the evil President Snow.

Davis was praised for her role in The Suicide Squad movies as Amanda Waller, head of the Suicide Squad program who was in charge of assembling, and ending, the team of anti-heroes. Davis will also be reprising her role as Waller in the upcoming Black Adam film starring Dwayne Johnson.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is scheduled to release in theaters on November 17, 2023.

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Source: The Hollywood Reporter