The Hunger Games Prequel Hits Theaters, Packed with References and Music

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, set 64 years before the original series, features numerous callbacks and a strong musical performance by Rachel Zegler.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, a prequel to the original series, is now out in theaters, featuring numerous references and Easter eggs to the original movies.
The film is set 64 years before the events of the first movie and includes many parallels and callbacks to the original series, such as Lucy Gray wearing her mother's rainbow dress for the Reaping ceremony, similar to Katniss in The Hunger Games.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes also features several songs performed by the characters, including 'The Hanging Tree', which became a significant part of the original series.
Lucy Gray, the protagonist of the prequel, is played by Rachel Zegler, who brings a strong musical performance to the film.
The Hunger Games franchise is also noted for its impactful soundtracks, with the prequel continuing this tradition, including an original track by Olivia Rodrigo.

The Hollywood Reporter