THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES (2023)

 Despite the underwhelming response the two Mockingjay movies received from critics and moviegoers, Lionsgate and series producer Nina Jacobson eagerly awaited the next Hunger Games novel from author Suzanne Collins alongside a still ravenous army of readers. But they were just as surprised as fans were when Collins revealed her long awaited prequel novel would star none of the colorful cadre of supporting characters Katniss Everdeen fought alongside during the rebellion, but rather the odious and off-putting villain of the previous trilogy, Coriolanus Snow. Returning director Francis Lawrence had the task of directing the adaptation of this 500+ page novel, the darkest and most thematically complex of the series so far, and this time he wouldn’t have the star power of Jennifer Lawrence to fall back on. Would moviegoers flock to a Hunger Games movie without Katniss and Peeta? This is THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES. Nick and Scott leave behind the world of Panem (for now!) but not before diving into a deep discussion on sociopathy, society and human nature itself in this epic episode of FRANCHISOGRAPHY. NEXT WEEK: Hunger Games Betweenisode Become a Premier Tier PATREON supporter to hear our “Franchise Potential” companion podcast, plus bonus podcasts each week including Dueling Genre Tonight hosted by Nick & Scott! Join the Dueling Genre Discord Server: https://discord.gg/rngwTkz8yw **Dueling Genre Associate Producer:** Matt Bennett Mark Ybarra Harley Winfrey