Actress, model, and LGBTQ rights activist Hunter Schafer is joining the cast of the upcoming Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, The Hollywood Reporter reports. The casting announcement came Wednesday in an Instagram post from the prequel film’s official account.
The Euphoria actress will star as Tigris Snow, the cousin and confidante of future Panem President Coriolanus Snow (Billy the Kid’s Tom Blyth). Schafer and Blyth will star alongside the previously announced West Side Story actors Rachel Zegler as District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird and Josh Andrés Rivera as Coriolanus’ best friend Sejanus Plinth.
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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes sees a 21-year-old Tigris, a prized Capitol stylist played by Eugenie Bondurant in the original trilogy, living with her cousin Coriolanus and their “Grandma’am” in the post-war Capitol.
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The long-awaited prequel to the $3 billion grossing franchise will be directed by Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part I, and Mockingjay Part 2 director Francis Lawrence. MovieWeb previously reported that Lawrence, Nina Jacobson, and Brad Simpson will produce with author Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen, and Jim Miller serving as executive producers; the latest draft of the screenplay is by Michael Lesslie.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes arrives in theaters on November 17, 2023.
Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Role Will Be One of Schafer’s First Film Roles
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Schafer is perhaps best known for her breakout role in HBO’s Euphoria, where she plays Jules Vaughn, a new-to-town transgender high school student and the love interest of Zendaya’s Rue Bennett. In addition to her leading role in the drama series, Schafer co-wrote an episode alongside creator Sam Levinson and served as co-executive producer.
Prior to her acting debut on Euphoria, Schafer was designated one of Teen Vogue’s “21 Under 21” in 2017 for her activism work; in 2021, Time named her among their list of “100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future.” Schafer has also modeled for several high-profile fashion houses, including Gucci, Prada, Dior, and Helmut Lang.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes marks Schafer’s next big move: the big screen. Her role as Tigris Snow will be one of the actress’ first on-screen film roles. Schafer previously lent her voice to the English dub of 2022’s animated Belle, and is set to star in the upcoming Neon horror Cuckoo (currently in production).
While it might be a while before we get a glimpse of her as the fierce young Tigris, fans can catch up with Schafer’s work with Euphoria, streaming on HBO Max.
Per the Hollywood Reporter, Schafer is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, Viewpoint, and Sloane Offer.
