After providing a tantalizing glimpse of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” the Hunger Games prequel, at CinemaCon, Lionsgate has now unveiled another trailer, offering a deeper look into Rachel Zegler’s struggle for survival in the arena.

Rachel Zegler, renowned for her role in West Side Story, takes on the character of Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12 in the 10th Hunger Games. This new film, based on Suzanne Collins’ books, is set to hit theaters on November 17th. Alongside Zegler is Tom Blyth, who portrays Coriolanus Snow, Baird’s mentor in this gripping tale of survival. Snow finds himself torn between his allegiance to the Capitol, Head Gamemaker Dr. Volumnia Gaul (played by Viola Davis), and his growing affection for his mentee.

Lionsgate unveiled the trailer for “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” at CinemaCon, giving viewers a first look at tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) and Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth). The film also features Peter Dinklage as the vindictive Casca Highbottom, the Dean of the Academy and creator of the Hunger Games, and Viola Davis in the role of Head Gamemaker Volumnia Gaul.

The story unfolds during the annual reaping ceremony of the 10th Hunger Games, a setting 64 years before the events of the first film. Lucy Gray, representing the impoverished District 12, is initially paired with 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow as her mentor, a role he reluctantly accepts. Snow’s character is depicted as much more conflicted in his beliefs compared to his later incarnation as Panem’s tyrannical president. As he is told, “There have been some changes this year: your role is to turn these children into spectacles, not survivors.”

However, when Lucy captures the attention of all of Panem by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow begins to believe that he may be able to shift the odds in their favor. Their collaboration, blending showmanship and newfound political acumen, sets the stage for a race against time, where the line between being a “songbird” and a “snake” becomes increasingly blurred.

Much like the preceding films, the themes explored here include concepts of freedom and tyranny, good versus evil, and the choices individuals make in determining their path. As Lucy astutely observes, “There is natural goodness built into all of us. We can step across that line into evil—or not.” The backdrop of Panem is marked by cranes and construction, symbolizing the nation’s effort to rebuild following a brutal civil war a decade prior.

This prequel to the immensely successful Hunger Games franchise, which has grossed over $3 billion globally, is set to captivate audiences worldwide when it arrives in theaters on November 17th. Francis Lawrence, known for his role in the Hunger Games franchise, serves as both director and producer alongside producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. Suzanne Collins, Tim Palen, and Jim Miller take on the roles of executive producers, ensuring the legacy of the Hunger Games continues to thrive.