Rachel Zegler Pays Homage to Katniss Everdeen at 'Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' Premiere
The actress "catches fire" referencing Katniss Everdeen's flame dress on the red carpet at the world premiere of Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Rachel Zegler tapped into her inner Katniss Everdeen while promoting the upcoming film in the Hunger Games franchise. The actress walked the red carpet in Berlin for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes premiere in a gown that looked as if would "catch fire."
The dress in question was a black Alexander McQueen mermaid-style gown with intricate red detailing at the bottom that gives reference to fire. It was extremely reminiscent of a scene in Hunger Games: Catching Fire when Katniss Everdeen's (played by Jennifer Lawrence) wedding dress turned into flames as she spun. As for beauty, Zegler kept up with the fiery theme by donning a bold red lip and smokey eyeshadow.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is technically a prequel to the Hunger Games franchise, taking place 64 years before Katniss Everdeen, but the trailer alone already showed striking references to the first films.
The film follows the early life of President Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth, and his mentee Lucy Gray Baird, played by Zegler. The plot occurs during the 10th Annual Games in which we watch how the Hunger Games transform into the violent spectacle we know it to be and how Snow evolves into the villainous President of Panem.
Beyond the plot, the film is packed with a star-studded cast. This includes Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth (who also happens to be Zegler's real-life boyfriend) and Hunter Schafer as Tigris (Snow's cousin who eventually becomes a stylist in the Hunger Games).
The latter shined at the premiere as well, donned in a multicolored sculptural midi gown from the Schiaparelli Fall/Winter 2023 Couture collection. Schafer completed the look with a pair of white pumps.
Other high-profile cast members include Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the Head Gamemaker, and Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom, the Dean of the Academy where Snow attends.
With the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, many have questioned why The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is currently undergoing promotion. Lionsgate was able to reach an interim agreement with SAG-AFTRA that provided the actors' clearance to promote the film through press opportunities and by posting on social media.
Following the agreement, Zegler posted a lengthy statement on Instagram thanking Lionsgate and SAG-AFTRA for “working so hard throughout this strike to come to an agreement.” She added, “Lionsgate’s efforts are proof that studios, big and small, can meet us in a place of fairness for their films and the people who work so hard to make them.”
