9 Aug – Lionsgate is now confirming that the prequel of the hit Young Adult dystopian fantasy, "The Hunger Games" will begin filming next year. Written by "The Hunger Games" author Suzanne Collins, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" follows a young Coriolanus Snow (who will later become President Snow in "The Hunger Games" timeline) who is chosen to mentor a tribute in the upcoming 10th Hunger Games. The old version of the character in "The Hunger Games" movies was played by veteran actor Donald Sutherland.
The news was revealed by the studio's chairman Joe Drake, who revealed in the company's quarterly earnings call that they will begin production on "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" in the first half of 2022, with the movie to be tentatively scheduled for release in late 2023 or early 2024. In a previous report, it was revealed that Francis Lawrence, who helmed three of the four original films, will be directing the project that will be written by Michael Arndt ("Little Miss Sunshine", "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"). No news as to who will play the lead.