Elizabeth Banks Is “Excited For A New Audience” To Find The Hunger Games Franchise Through The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes

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Written By Kristen Maldonado

It’s been 11 years since the first The Hunger Games movie hit theaters and captivated a whole generation. The franchise, based on the books by Suzanne Collins, has found a resurgence with the prequel film The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Led by Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler, it explores the origins of the tyrannical President Coriolanus Snow, while adding new depths and layers to the original films.

During a junket for Migration, Kristen Maldonado of Pop Culture Planet spoke with Elizabeth Banks about her thoughts on The Hunger Games comeback. “I've actually run into some of the people who are in that movie and it's been really fun to feel like I randomly am remotely even connected to any of that. Knowing that Francis [Lawrence], who directed three of our films, was doing the movie, I just knew he was going to do the world building so well,” she told me. “I love Suzanne Collins. She's the author of The Hunger Games and The Battle of Songbirds & Snakes. I'm excited for a new audience to find those books and movies again because I really love them.”

Her Migration co-star Kumail Nanjiani shared her excitement: “Yeah, I love those movies too. I'm excited about the new one. I haven't been able to see it yet, but I'm so glad that series is back.”

Migration is playing in theaters now, while The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is in theaters and available digitally and on demand. See the Migration interview, below.

Kristen Maldonado

Kristen Maldonado is an entertainment journalist, critic, and on-camera host. She is the founder of the outlet Pop Culture Planet and hosts its inclusion-focused video podcast of the same name. You can find her binge-watching your next favorite TV show, interviewing talent, and championing representation in all forms. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, a member of the Critics Choice Association, Latino Entertainment Journalists Association, and the Television Academy, and a 2x Shorty Award winner. She's also been featured on New York Live, NY1, The List TV, Den of Geek, Good Morning America, Insider, MTV, and Glamour.

http://www.youtube.com/kaymaldo
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