The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes reignited interest in the series with an ambiguous ending for one of the film’s central protagonists. The Hunger Games series of books by Suzanne Collins was adapted in 2012, starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, and exploring the dystopian future world of Panem. The central premise of the novels revolves around the concept of the Hunger Games, for which it is named, where dozens of children are forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capitol, and to remember their lower status.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a prequel story released in 2020, which depicts the early life of the future antagonist Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth). The story was then adapted to film in 2023, and the movie follows the book’s trajectory with Snow connecting with a District 12 tribute, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), before the couple falls apart and go their separate ways. Both the book and the film leave Lucy Gray Baird’s fate ambiguous when Snow and Baird grow suspicious of each other, and Snow fires a gun into the woods.
6 Return To District 12
Lucy Gray Avoids Snow
One of the first theories about what happened to Lucy Gray is that she survived, either unharmed or with a gunshot wound. When Snow returned to District 12, he was immediately transported back to the capitol, and despite Lucy Gray winning the 10th annual Hunger Games, the event was much less of a spectacle at that time, so it could reasonably be assumed that Lucy Gray could avoid attention. Lucy Gray was skilled at evading capture, so assuming she was able to lie low for a short period, possibly even in the cabin, she could potentially return to District 12.
5 Related To Katniss Everdeen
Katniss’ Paternal Grandmother Or Great-Grandmother
Lucy Gray was a young woman during the events of the 10th Annual Hunger Games, at just 16 years old. Katniss was also 16 years old when she took part in the 74th Annual Hunger Games, 64 years later. Depending on when and if Lucy Gray eventually settled down and had children, she may be the grandmother, or great-grandmother to Katniss Everdeen. In the books, Katniss’ father is described as having dark hair and olive skin, just as Lucy Gray did.
Related
6 Ways Snow Changes The Hunger Games After Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes (& Why)
Snow revolutionized the Hunger Games as a mentor, but after Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, he made several more important (& heartless) changes.
Katniss’ father also had a beautiful singing voice, and taught his daughter the song, “The Hanging Tree,” which Lucy Gray wrote. If Lucy Gray did return to District 12 and live out a life, it is reasonable to assume she raised her children with the same love of music, rebellious spirit, and energy, just as Katniss’ father raised her. However, if Lucy Gray was too recognizable after winning the Hunger Games and Snow continued to have guards assigned to notify him if she ever appeared, it’s reasonable to assume she could have ended up elsewhere.
4 District 13
Lucy Gray Runs To The Forbidden District
Lucy Gray traveled around the Districts of Panem as a performer with her adoptive family. Lucy could have heard rumors about the existence of District 13, despite its supposed destruction, and chose to run there for refuge after being attacked by President Snow. Lucy Gray could have been welcomed in by the rebel forces that continued to live in District 13 and became an active part of the rebellion. Considering her song, “The Hanging Tree” was regarded by others as a rebellion song, her music could have served as a rallying cry to those living underground in the deserted District.
3 Became President Coin
Consumed By Snow’s Betrayal
While Lucy Gray appeared to be full of life, laughter, and love in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the betrayal by Snow could have pushed her over the edge into becoming resentful and hardened. Those living in the Districts already suffered with having much less than their peers in the Capitol. With Snow going so far as to attempt to murder Lucy Gray and his former friends, Lucy Gray could have changed from her happy and outgoing personality to become the Capitol’s most fierce opponent, President Alma Coin.
This theory may be more difficult to swallow considering the stark contrast between Lucy Gray and President Alma Coin, but dedicated fans have put in the work to flesh out why and how this could be possible. It would be sad to see a beautiful and spirited young woman like Lucy Gray grow up to be so consumed by rage and hatred that she eventually becomes the very thing she hates. However, this twist on the character which ultimately led to her own demise by Katniss Everdeen’s true arrow would be a poetic end to her and Snow’s story.
Related
12 Most Tragic Hunger Games Deaths, Ranked
The most tragic deaths in The Hunger Games include characters who die in the Games themselves and soldiers who fight to bring down the evil Capitol.
2 The Mother Of Alma Coin
Raising The Future Leader Of The Rebellion
A slightly less far-fetched theory revolves around Lucy Gray finding love in District 13, and giving birth to the woman who would later lead the rebellion against the Capitol and President Snow. With 65 years passing between the events of the prequel story and the conclusion of the original trilogy, there is ample time for Lucy to settle down and have children who could reasonably be the same age as Alma Coin during the final book. While Alma is a very different character from her potential mother, it would explain the intensity behind her bitter rivalry with President Snow and the Capitol if she was raised by Lucy Gray.
Lucy Gray may have been upbeat in her approach to hardship, but her daughter could have easily grown to despise the man who forced them underground and into hiding. Knowing the trials her mother went through could have fueled Coin’s desire to create a new version of the games with the Capitol’s children as the tributes to serve them a taste of their own medicine. This hatred could have been further fueled if Lucy Gray eventually died of injuries related to her time in the games, or a gunshot wound from Snow which caused health complications later in life.
1 She Didn’t Survive Coriolanus Snow
But Her Spirit And Song Lived On
The final theory suggests that Lucy Gray didn’t survive the altercation with Coriolanus Snow. Snow fired a spray of bullets, and a grunt from Lucy Gray was heard, which could indicate her being fatally wounded. If this is the truth, the imagery of the Mockingjays singing her song and flying into the air resonates even more, as Lucy Gray’s memory survives in the songs she left behind, and the corrupted mind of her former lover. Lucy Gray may not be alive, but her spirit and music live on in the hearts of rebels as The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel movie set 64 years before the events of the original movie with Katniss Everdeen. The film centers on a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) and shows his rise to power as the leader of Panem. Taking place during the 10th Hunger Games, Snow is tasked with mentoring Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the tribute from District 12.
- Release Date
- November 17, 2023
- Director
- Francis Lawrence
- Cast
- Tom Blyth , Rachel Zegler , Hunter Schafer , Jason Schwartzman , Peter Dinklage , Josh Andrés , Josh Andrés Rivera , Viola Davis
- Runtime
- 157 Minutes
- Writers
- Michael Lesslie , Michael Arndt , Suzanne Collins
- Studio(s)
- Color Force , Lionsgate
- Distributor(s)
- Lionsgate
- Sequel(s)
- The Hunger Games , The Hunger Games: Catching Fire , The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 , The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
- Franchise(s)
- The Hunger Games
