Latest news with #TheHungerGames:TheBalladofSongbirdsandSnakes


Buzz Feed
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Rachel Zegler Goes IG Official With Rumored New Partner
Rachel Zegler has been receiving tons of acclaim for her titular performance in the revival of Evita on the West End. (Fingers crossed it comes to Broadway!) As it turns out, though, her star turn isn't the only headline-generating tidbit from the production. This past weekend, she was spotted kissing dancer Nathan Louis-Fernand — who also performs in Evita and was previously in Magic Mike Live — at a Sabrina Carpenter concert in London's Hyde Park. So, earlier today, Rachel posted the type of IG photo dump that we all know and love at this point. "hello little baddies in my phone," she captioned the carousel. Buried deep within the post was a snap of Rachel seemingly resting her head on Nathan's chest — which, in the lingua franca of social media, suggests that the pair have truly gone IG official. If true, this would mark Rachel's first relationship update since making red-carpet appearances with her previous beau, Josh Andrés Rivera — who she also starred with in West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. They previously went public with their relationship in 2021; this is a picture of them from the winter of 2024. We've reached out to Rachel's reps for further comment, and if we hear anything back you'll be the first to know.


Pink Villa
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Is Rachel Zegler Dating Her Evita Co-Star Nathan Louis-Fernand? Snow White Actress Drops MAJOR Hint
Snow White star Rachel Zegler has allegedly confirmed her relationship with her Evita co-star, Nathan Louis-Fernand. The actress, who is currently preparing for her upcoming role in Evita, was seen getting close to her co-star at Sabrina Carpenter's concert in Hyde Park. Zegler fueled the rumors of romance with the backup dancer after the duo was spotted kissing at the event. Moreover, the pair also stood close together, with the actress having a drink in one hand and holding Louis-Fernand's hand with the other. Are Rachel Zegler and Nathan Louis-Fernand dating? While there has been no official confirmation from either of the pair, the hints dropped by the duo point towards Zegler and Louis-Fernand being a couple. The actress and the dancer were dressed casually as they stepped out to attend Sabrina Carpenter 's concert. The movie star was dressed in a black leather coat. She kept her hair open and opted for silver hoops to accessorize her look. The actress also added rings to her ensemble that looked chic. As for Louis-Fernand, the dancer complemented her alleged beau's look by opting for a black t-shirt and a coat, paired with jeans. He put on a white baseball cap, with the initials PL written on it. With the rumors of the Y2K actress dating Nathan, she has likely called it quits with Josh Andrez Rivera. The exes starred together in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which was dropped in theaters in 2023. The former partners were first linked together in early 2021, and it is not revealed when the couple parted ways. Meanwhile, on the work front, Zegler will portray the lead role in Evita. Her latest stage performance comes after the actress' portrayal of Juliet in Romeo + Juliet was heavily applauded.


Metro
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Gripping prequel soars up Netflix charts as fans declare it 'best in franchise'
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has just dropped on Netflix, and fans are already calling it the 'best film in the franchise'. It's proving so popular, in fact, that following its Netflix debut this week, it's climbed into the top 10. Released in November 2023, the action/adventure movie is based on the 2020 novel of the same name, serving as a prequel to 2012's hugely successful The Hunger Games, which starred Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. Set decades before the iconic Mockingjay era, this dark and dazzling prequel tells the origin story of a young Coriolanus Snow—the man who would later become Panem's most feared president. Long before he wore white suits and ordered rebel bombings, Snow was just another ambitious teenager clawing his way out of poverty and into power. He's played by Tom Blyth with an unnerving mix of charm, desperation, and icy control, making the fall from grace feel both inevitable and hard to watch. Opposite him is Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, a District 12 tribute with a voice that hypnotises and a will to survive that rivals Katniss', though she's anything but a carbon copy. Lucy Gray is no rebel, and Zegler cleverly brings her to life with her electric performance. From her haunting ballads to her quiet tricks, she commands every scene she's in—and fans can't stop talking about her. 'I like how they made another strong female character without having to resort to Katniss' clone who fights good,' @nogoodpho wrote on Reddit. Add in a show-stopping performance from Jason Schwartzman as Lucky Flickerman and Viola Davis as the terrifying Dr. Gaul, and you've got a film that's part dystopia, part musical, and 100% watch-worthy. When it hit cinemas in late 2023, Songbirds and Snakes received mixed reviews—some critics loved its ambition, while others were put off by its slow burn and darker tone. It did, however, gross $349million (£255.6m) off its $100m (£73.2m) budget. And now that it's streaming, audiences are giving it—and its 64% Rotten Tomatoes score—a second look, and this time, they're hooked. Social media is buzzing with praise, fan theories, and 'I told you so' posts from people who always believed the prequel would be a game-changer. @nolanpflan wrote: 'In my opinion this hands down the best movie in the Hunger Games franchise.' 'I was gripped the entire runtime and never felt an ounce of boredom. I just wish they went the extra mile and went a full three hours for the sake of the last act, but I'm still very pleased.I truly think this is leagues above the other four Hunger Games films,' @tacomasters added. Another viewer, @karpaensi, praised the release: 'You know it's a good movie when it haunts you. I watched it and I've been thinking about it all day.' And they're not wrong. Unlike the later films in the original series, which leaned heavily into politics and revolution, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes—which features the song Can't Catch Me Now from Glastonbury headliner Olivia Rodrigo—keeps the focus on the arena and the twisted beginnings of the spectacle we came to know. It's brutal, raw, and unflinching in its depiction of how easily human suffering can be turned into entertainment—and how fast a desperate boy can become a monster. Director Francis Lawrence, who helmed Catching Fire (2013) and both Mockingjay (part 1 in 2013 and part 2 in 2015) films, returns with a sharper eye, creating a world that's more grimy than glossy—and all the better for it. This is Panem at its most fragile and dangerous, and the Capitol isn't the polished powerhouse we're used to—it's the definition of chaos, and it is just starting to realise how powerful fear can be. More Trending Without giving too much away, it pulls the rug out from under you, then pulls it once again, just when you think you're back on your feet. Everyone has a different theory, and that's all part of the magic. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is streaming now on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Andrew Lloyd Webber shares safety fears over Rachel Zegler's Evita stunt MORE: Rachel Zegler's Evita faces backlash over trigger warnings – but critics miss the point MORE: Evita fans give verdict on Rachel Zegler's controversial balcony performance


Perth Now
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Tom Rhys Harries signs on to DC's horror flick Clayface
Tom Rhys Harries is to star in Clayface. The 32-year-old actor has beat off competition from the likes of Sinners star Jack O'Connell, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes actor Tom Blyth and 1917's George MacKay for the leading role in DC's upcoming horror movie. Speak No Evil director James Watkins has signed on to helm the project, which is slated to shoot at Warner Bros. Leavesden studio in the UK later this year as it marches towards its September 2026 release date. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Clayface will be a 'stripped down movie', with a budget of approximately $40 million. The flick will reportedly follow a B-movie actor who becomes a walking mound of clay after injecting himself with a mystery substance in an attempt to stay relevant. Watkins will be working from a script written by Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan, while The Batman filmmaker Matt Reeves will produce alongside Lynn Harris, and DC co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. DC's next movie will be Gunn's Superman, which is set to land in cinemas on 8 July 2025, and will usher in a new cinematic era for the studio. Superman - which stars David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan and Nathan Fillion - will follow a young Clark Kent grapple with his dual identity as he rises to become Earth's protector against a powerful alien threat. As humanity questions its need for a saviour, Superman must prove that hope is his greatest power. Gunn previously teased Corenswet's Man of Steel would 'blow people away' in Superman. During an appearance on a panel at New York Comic Con in October, the Guardians of the Galaxy director said: 'We're deep in the process of editing. David Corenswet is going to f****** blow people away. He is the movie star that everyone just dreams he could possibly be. 'I don't think anyone really understands the depth of this guy's talent dramatically, comedically. He's the best physical action star I've probably ever worked with.' Corenswet's co-star Brosnahan - who will play Superman's love interest Lois Lane - also teased the blockbuster would 'stay true to the comics'. Speaking to Deadline, she said: 'There's a lot of challenges for everybody in all different pockets of the worlds right now. 'And for a lot of the complaints that people have sometimes about superhero movies, at their core, they're about the goodness of people and how good we can be to each other, how the pursuit of truth and justice really are the American way, and that courage and hope can carry us through. 'And so, I feel like this movie really encapsulates all of that. It's a hopeful superhero movie, which I feel like is so true to the comics. So, I'm excited for audiences to see it and hopefully have some fun and enjoy the ride with us.'


Forbes
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘The Legend Of Zelda' Movie May Land A Perfectly Cast Princess, Per Report
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Hunter Schafer attends the HBO Max FYC event for 'Euphoria' at ... More Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/WireImage) It remains to be seen where Wes Ball's upcoming Legend of Zelda movie is a good idea at baseline, but now a casting search appears to be spooling up for its major roles, including the titular princess. A new report from inside DanielRPK reveals that a specific actress is being eyed for the role, one that social media fans were theory-casting even before this news broke. That would be Euphoria's Hunter Schafer. As soon as the movie was announced, side-by-side comparisons started emerging about how perfectly she would fit into the role. Now, the film may have taken that to heart and may be pursuing the star. Schafer first rose to prominence in Euphoria, the controversial HBO teen drama that is finally filming its third season after a lengthy break, Schafer included. Since then, she's appeared in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Yorgos Lanthimos' Kinds of Kindness and the horror film Cuckoo. She's about to star in the upcoming Blade Runner 2099 series and has 5-6 other projects on the way. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess It is not yet clear which game story is being adapted for The Legend of Zelda movie, one that many were surprised was going to be live-action at all, given what Nintendo did with the massively profitable Super Mario Bros. movie. It feels like a big risk, but much of this will come down to casting. It's easy to see Schaefer as a good Zelda, but the key role will be Link, a character who barely, if ever, speaks in the games, and it's going to be very interesting to see how that aspect is handled. Here's what Zelda superfan and the film's director Wes Ball said about the project to Totalfilm back in March of 2024: "I have this awesome idea," Ball said. "I've been thinking about it for a long freakin' time, of how cool a Zelda movie would be... I want to fulfill people's greatest desires. I know it's important, this [Zelda] franchise, to people and I want it to be a serious movie. A real movie that can give people an escape." So, this seems to be pitched as high fantasy rather than the more cartoony versions of the game we've seen. And that makes a lot of sense for live-action. I hope we hear more about the film soon, and if it's confirmed that Schafer will play Zelda? That would be a great start. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.