As anticipation builds for the upcoming live-action adaptation of ‘Snow White,’ actress Rachel Zegler shares insights into her connection with Jennifer Lawrence during the filming of ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’
Speaking exclusively to ‘People’ magazine at the London premiere of the latest installment in ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise, the 22-year-old actress reflected on her unexpected bond with the Academy Award-winning Jennifer Lawrence, known for her role in ‘X-Men: First Class.’
Zegler disclosed, “I had already filmed it when I had met her, and we really just were able to bond over the fact that we know so many of the same people.”
Surprisingly, Zegler and Lawrence discovered a network of mutual friends within the ‘Hunger Games’ world, including director Francis Lawrence, who returned to helm the latest installment after directing three sequels of the franchise.
“One of my good friends is Andrew Barth Feldman, who she just did ‘No Hard Feelings’ with, and obviously, Francis Lawrence is obsessed with her,” Zegler shared.
Zegler, portraying the character Lucy Gray Baird, emphasized the continuity from the original trilogy to the latest prequel, set 64 years before the events of the first ‘Hunger Games’ movies. The prequel, titled ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ delves into the transformation of Coriolanus Snow into the tyrannical ruler of Panem.
Despite the iconic role of Katniss Everdeen being originally played by Jennifer Lawrence in the first four ‘Hunger Games’ movies, Zegler highlighted the collaborative atmosphere on set. She expressed, “Everyone who worked on our movies came over from the original trilogy to work on ours.”
Zegler admitted to not having met Lawrence before filming the spin-off but shared the immediate camaraderie that developed between them. “It relieved the pressure and made us feel like we were able to do our own thing,” she revealed, adding a touch of humor, “Though, if she had ever wanted to give me tips, I absolutely would have been open to hearing them.”
As the release of ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ approaches, fans eagerly anticipate the dynamic on-screen chemistry between Zegler and Lawrence in this prequel that promises to unravel the captivating origins of the ‘Hunger Games’ saga.
