Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
While The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes film has spawned a number of intriguing and well-constructed theories, it also led to the destruction of one that connects Katniss and Lucy Gray. Following the story of a teenage Coriolanus Snow, the prequel movie provides an in-depth backstory to the man who eventually becomes the president of Panem, as well as to many parts of the nation’s history. It gives the audience a riveting tale of how the horrific events that unfold in The Hunger Games came to be in the first place, while also providing a new and unique story that is able to stand on its own.
Even though The Ballads of Songbirds & Snake film is captivating as a stand-alone, it becomes even more intriguing when linked to the larger franchise. There are a number of details that foreshadow Katniss’ future and the events of The Hunger Games that make the stories connect in a thrilling way. Given how much symbolism is utilized throughout the novels and films and the way in which both choose not to explicitly share certain details, the franchise paves the way for a number of theories to emerge.
The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Cut A “Hanging Tree” Detail That Links Katniss To The Covey
In the novel, it was revealed to readers that the song that has become synonymous with The Hunger Games franchise, “The Hanging Tree” was banned from being sung. Composed by Lucy Gray Baird about the execution of Arlo Chance, the song was banned by Commander Hoff who considered it to incite rebellion against the people of the Capital. Because of the inclusion of the detail that the song was banned, readers were left to speculate about how the Everdeen family could have known it. Katniss learned the poignant and powerful song from her late father and was known to sing it numerous times within The Hunger Games trilogy.
This led to a theory to emerge about how her family could have been descendants of the Covey or of Lucy Gray herself. That would explain how the song was able to be passed down to her, even though it was banned in Panem after only being sung once in public by Lucy Gray. The movie, however, chose not to include the detail of the song being banned, which effectively ruined the theory from holding in the cinematic universe.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Ending Explained
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes ends ambiguously for one major character. We break down the prequel’s ending & what’s next.
What Director Francis Lawrence Has Said About The Katniss Theory
The theory connects Lucy Gray as Katniss’ grandmother, but the director of Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes subscribes to a different idea. Francis Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly that he believes Maude Ivory, the youngest member in the Covey, is actually the one who is related to the Everdeen family. This is based around Maude Ivory Baird being Katniss’ grandmother and stems from her decision to stay in District 12. Maude Ivory is Lucy Gray’s cousin, which connects the two female protagonists. While Suzanne Collins has not confirmed this theory, it would make sense because Snow is known to target Katniss in a way that feels personal.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
- Release Date:
- 2023-11-17
- Director:
- Francis Lawrence
- Cast:
- Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Peter Dinklage, Josh Andrés, Josh Andrés Rivera, Viola Davis
- Rating:
- PG-13
- Runtime:
- 157 Minutes
- Genres:
- Action, Adventure, Drama
- 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
