Hunger Games prequel adds Russian Doll star

The Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has added a few more names to its growing cast, with a young Russian Doll star now confirmed.

Following the news that Spider-Man's Jason Schwartzman and Euphoria's Hunter Schafer had both joined the cast list, producers Lionsgate have also revealed that Russian Doll's Vaughan Reilly has jumped aboard, too.

Vaughan, who played young Nora in the Netflix series, joins the movie as a member of the Covey, alongside fellow newcomers Irene Boehm, Cooper Dillon, Luna Kuse, Kjell Brutscheidt, Dimitri Abold, Athena Strates, Dakota Shapiro, and George Somner.

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The prequel, which will see Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler take the leads, will focus on the story of 18-year-old Coriolanus, years before he ascends to power as the tyrannical president of Panem.

"Coriolanus Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol," the official synopsis teases.

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"With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler), 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 favour."

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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be directed by Francis Lawrence, who previously directed Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part One, and Mockingjay Part Two. Its screenplay has been adapted from Suzanne Collins' novel of the same name.

Although the prequel won't be hitting cinemas until next year, a behind-the-scenes update from last summer promised fans that progress on the movie was "moving along really, really well".

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes hits cinemas on November 17, 2023.