How old the stars of 'The Hunger Games' prequel movie are compared to their characters

Kirsten AcunaJan 14, 2024, 14:28 IST

Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."Murray Close/Lionsgate; Dave Benett/WireImage via Getty Images

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."
The prequel stars Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler playing characters younger than themselves.

"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" follows a teenaged Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) decades before his tyrannical rule as president of Panem.

Set 64 years before the main "Hunger Games" saga, most of the cast is older than their on-screen counterparts.

While the movie doesn't share the cast's ages, author Suzanne Collins' best-seller of the same name reveals some of the ages directly or through context clues.

Note: All ages were current on the date of publication and are subject to change.

Coriolanus Snow is 18. In real life, Tom Blyth is 28.

Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."Lionsgate; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Struggling to support his cousin and grandmother in the postwar Capitol of Panem, Snow sets out to restore his family name to glory.

By mentoring a Hunger Games tribute in the 10th annual games, he hopes to win a cash prize that will allow him to pay for college.

Struggling to support his cousin and grandmother in the postwar Capitol of Panem, Snow sets out to restore his family name to glory.

By mentoring a Hunger Games tribute in the 10th annual games, he hopes to win a cash prize that will allow him to pay for college.

His cousin, Tigris, is 21. Hunter Schafer is 24.

Hunter Schafer as Tigris in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."Tom Murray/Lionsgate; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty Images

A budding fashion designer who eventually modifies her body to resemble a tiger, Tigris ensures her cousin always looks fashionable throughout the games even though they're living on a shoestring budget.

The book confirms Tigris is three years older than Coriolanus.

Lucy Gray Baird is supposed to be 16 in the film. Rachel Zegler is six years older than her at 22.

Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."Murray Close/Lionsgate; Dave Benett/WireImage via Getty Images

Lucy Gray is the lead singer of a band who plays in District 12 when she's selected as a tribute in the 10th annual Hunger Games.

Similarly, Jennifer Lawrence was 21 when playing the 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen.

Lucy Gray is the lead singer of a band who plays in District 12 when she's selected as a tribute in the 10th annual Hunger Games.

Similarly, Jennifer Lawrence was 21 when playing the 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen.

Sejanus Plinth is 18 just like his classmate and friend, Coriolanus. Actor Josh Andrés Rivera is a decade older at 28.

Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."Courtesy of Lionsgate; Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images

One of Coriolanus' few friends, Plinth hates the Hunger Games, believing the government should protect its people, not force them to send kids to fight to the death.

Plinth's compassion for the districts comes from his humble beginnings. Unlike Snow, Plinth didn't grow up in Panem's wealthy Capitol. His family became wealthy during the war and paid their way into their lavish lifestyle.

The book mentions Plinth was just shy of his 19th birthday upon his death.

One of Coriolanus' few friends, Plinth hates the Hunger Games, believing the government should protect its people, not force them to send kids to fight to the death.

The book mentions Plinth was just shy of his 19th birthday upon his death.

Coriolanus' classmate, Clemensia, should also be about 18. Ashley Liao is 22 in real life.

Ashley Liao as Clemensia Dovecote in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."Lionsgate; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Clemensia Dovecote pairs up with Coriolanus on an important assignment.

When she takes too much credit for her involvement in the project, she lands in hot water with the Academy instructor, Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

Clemensia Dovecote pairs up with Coriolanus on an important assignment.

When she takes too much credit for her involvement in the project, she lands in hot water with the Academy instructor, Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

Dr. Volumnia Gaul is an Academy instructor and The Hunger Games' head gamemaker.

Viola Davis as Dr. Gaul in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."Lionsgate; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty Images

A terrifying mad scientist, Gaul's age is never said in the film.

Academy Award winner Viola Davis is 58, but the movie's production notes mention they aged her by adding gray streaks to her hair.

A terrifying mad scientist, Gaul's age is never said in the film.

Academy Award winner Viola Davis is 58, but the movie's production notes mention they aged her by adding gray streaks to her hair.

Dean Casca Highbottom, the creator of the Hunger Games, acts cruelly toward Snow throughout the film.

Peter Dinklage as Dean Casca Highbottom in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."Lionsgate; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty Images

The movie never gives us Highbottom's direct age. However, the book tells us he came up with the idea for the Hunger Games at the end of college alongside Snow's father.

His concept was later used to create The Hunger Games. The games didn't start until Coriolanus was 8. If the pair were around 22 at the end of their university days and young Snow was born soon after they graduated, give or take a year or two, Highbottom is likely at least 40.

Peter Dinklage, who plays the troubled creator, is 54.

The movie never gives us Highbottom's direct age. However, the book tells us he came up with the idea for the Hunger Games at the end of college alongside Snow's father.

Peter Dinklage, who plays the troubled creator, is 54.

Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman is a weatherman and amateur magician tasked with being the host of the first Hunger Games broadcast.

Jason Schwartzman as Lucky Flickerman in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."Murray Close, Lionsgate; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Lucky's age also isn't defined in the book or movie, but the latter positions him as a young father, hungry for fame in the Capitol of Panem.

Flickerman is likely in his 30s. Schwartzman is 43.