Uh-oh, Hunger Games fans – we have some bittersweet news, folks. Actor Rachel Zegler, who played Lucy Gray Baird in the Hunger Games prequel – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – won’t be returning for the franchise’s next film called The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. We loved seeing Rachel as Lucy, so it’s definitely a bummer.
Why Rachel Zegler Won’t Be in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
You might be wondering why she isn’t coming back. In an chat with Cosmopolitan, Zegler revealed that she’s open to playing Lucy again, but she’s not part of the new movie right now. And, she even hinted that she might not show up at all in the film. Yikes!
Zegler’s got her plate full with a bunch of cool projects. Her next movie, titled spellbound (an animated flick), hits Netflix on November 22, 2024. So, we’ve got popcorn and blankets ready for that! Additionally, she’ll be starring in the Disney remake of the famous Snow White. This movie was supposed to come out in 2024, but a strike at WGA and SAG-AFTRA pushed the release to March 21, 2025.
Rachel Zegler’s Turn on Broadway
Apart from entertaining us on the big screen, Zegler has been wowing audiences on stage too! Her recent Broadway debut was in Romeo and Juliet on October 26, 2024. The play was a hit and ran an extra four weeks, wrapping up on February 16, 2025.
Lucy Gray Baird & The Hunger Games Continuity
Now, it might shock you that Zegler isn’t returning. But honestly, it makes sense. The upcoming film’s story takes place 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. So, Zegler would be playing a 60-year-old woman – a tough sell, right? Moreover, the movie will focus on a young guy named Haymitch Abernathy. And, even if Lucy were to appear, she wouldn’t fit into the story.
But don’t lose hope, folks. We’ve got two years till the movie launches in November 2026. Who knows? Maybe we could get a surprise Zegler cameo!
The Future of The Hunger Games Franchise
The Hunger Games is among Lionsgate’s most successful franchises. Naturally, they want to keep it alive. By introducing prequels like The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping, they have a chance to expand the Hunger Games universe.
Although Zegler may not play Lucy in Sunrise on the Reaping, there could be new films about Lucy’s life. And, with a bit of luck, we might see Zegler back as Lucy in another Hunger Games installment. So, stay tuned!
With Rachel Zegler’s absence, it’s clear the franchise is evolving. While we’ll miss her, let’s gear up for the exciting universe the franchise has in store for us. After all, the Hunger Games’ magic is far from over.
Bottom line – get ready for an epic new Hunger Games journey, minus our beloved Lucy. Yep, it’ll be different, but which Hunger Games movie hasn’t surprised us, right? Stay hopeful, stay excited. We’ve got exciting times ahead! The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, here we come! Check the full story on https://projectcasting.com/blog/news/rachel-zegler-not-returning-for-hunger-games-sequel