"Lucy Gray Beard!" Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Watch The Return of the Hunger Games in full on BBC iPlayer in the UK: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...
Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer and Josh Andrés Rivera talk to BBC Radio 1's film critic Ali Plumb about The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Rachel explains her character's link to Katniss Everdeen and Tom reveals how Rachel nearly drowned him during filming. Plus, the cast discuss their favourite songs from the new movie, including Hunger Games anthem, The Hanging Tree, and how they all struggled with the characters' names.
Watch Movies with Ali Plumb on BBC iPlayer in the UK: www.bbc.co.uk/tv/radio1
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Watch The Return of the Hunger Games in full on BBC iPlayer in the UK: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0gsv64n/ With Director Francis Lawrence revealing how the new movie ties into the original Hunger Games series.

[@user-ys8fs4vv9v]

Hi❤❤❤❤

[@abodi_5918]

Ok🎷💖

[@eryneredjem]

Are we going to ignore the fact that lucy gray's bow wasn't even scripted and that rachel is basically a FCKG GENIUS ??

[@Samjie]

Agreed. If I hadn't known any different, I'd have thought it was planned.

[@jtalla8030]

rachel and tom were so perfectly casted, their chemistry and performance was amazing!

[@fluffues345]

agreed

[@mrsstyles10002]

she’s just so likable I feel sorry for those who don’t see it

[@AlmostSaDiK]

I wonder why there are no replies 😂😂

[@cyrusatanil]

​@@AlmostSaDiKThere are now....

[@user-zn7lp4lg7l]

True

[@kharstai]

​@@AlmostSaDiKare u hallucinating

[@kharstai]

right

[@ScarlettJ1221]

Rachel is one talented person, she can act and her singing is out of this world

[@Renavatio2586]

Uhhhhh.. 👀

[@thehundredthmonkey5972]

She’s a malignant narcissist though. Inflated ego and very disrespectful.

[@grungefrog7840]

Uhhhhh.. 👀

[@stanleysierra225]

Can sing, bad actress watch the movie yesterday her acting is bad

[@CatztheEquestrian]

I knew as soon as I entered these replies they were all going to be negative. Honestly, I agree with you @ScarlettJ1221

[@Idekjustyeah]

Tom Blyths acting was incredible!! Especially when he says “Lucy Gray! I said are you trying to kill me?!!”

[@jchootie]

Breathtaking movie deserves all the praise it gets. And so so soooo good to have Ali and his interviews back 😭😭😭

[@clairesnelson9961]

Their chemistry is incrediable!! From the first scene with them in it i was like " holy crap this is going to be so good" they sold it from the first scene

[@MADEbySOUL]

The acting was well done by both and it truly surprised me how much emotion they went through in mere seconds. From shock to resentment and ten anger. This movie is intense. Especially since this Panem isn’t as glitzy, there isn’t much distraction from how kids were killing each other. Not only killing but it didn’t take much for some to start. Especially since Careers weren’t established, one cannot make the “excuse” these kids were conditioned to do it. I didn’t expect to like this film or for it to hit more than the original series.

[@gwendolinechen6917]

It’s a missed opportunity for Rachel’s sister to not ruin one take and shout “I volunteer as tribute” for her little sister lol

[@lizxyplays5331]

That would have been so good😭😭 but imagine the embarrassment of ruining a whole set and hours of filming 😭😭

[@rubutu8408]

Tbf i wouldnt have the balls to do it

[@Dkwngdk44]

Saw the movie last night, and excited for the second half. Rachel's voice is amazing. This movie is just so..."enjoy the show."

[@veronx4633]

I felt like the ending sort of left room for a part 2, but I wasn't sure cus I didn't read the book. Is there still something the second part could be based off of?

[@SH-zh8eh]

​@@veronx4633Nope not from the book though. It ends there.

[@Verylengthyapple]

Second half?

[@catcandiez]

there is no second half 😭

[@jocieValdez]

I dont think there will be a second movie unless Suzanne Collins makes another book which would be awesome like more Lucy grays life or katniss dads life or something

[@sizeofsorrow]

the way she leans into him ugh they’re so cute

[@denisetan2089]

honestly props to the interviewer he was so funny and nice

[@mrspumpkin6298]

I just realised, Jennifer Lawrence as the main character had to wear brunette hair in the original trilogy, whilst usually being blonde. Tom Blythe as the main character in the prequel had to wear blonde hair whilst are normally being brunette! That’s so cute, both the characters and actors are contrasting in different ways ❤

[@strawbabyjess]

i had no idea she wasn’t a natural brunette omg

[@aimeegardner9736]

I don’t think it means anything, but slay.

[@LB-xz9ub]

I need them in another movie!! Like a dark thriller or something. Rachel plays a girl living her life and Tom becomes a man possessed to have her 😅😅😅. Make it a netflix movie if money isnt there. I swear, i need it. Their chemistry was everything.

[@sammiemm9397]

The noise I made after reading this hahaha. I can see it already too..He already has serial k!ller eyes so yeah. Imagine if Tom corners her in her apartment and fixes those blueys on her with frisson, woooo

[@LB-xz9ub]

@@sammiemm9397 cereal k word eyes 🤣🤣

[@fmlcatherine]

Her singing is legit insane ❤

[@iluvallison127]

i love when the interviewer has excellent questions ugh

[@arlenec3983]

I loved Rachel since West Side Story(her very first role). She has a beautiful voice. Tom and Rachel are perfectly cast in this movie .

[@amymcmillan4701]

Agreed!!

[@rockroll5002]

having watched the movie now, Rachels voice and Toms scheming face are A+

[@user-ke3ff7vn7e]

All actors are so GREAT. and i’m here to say that every scenes Tigris appears HUNTER ATE!!!

[@GabrielaK1111]

Rachel is always so sweet and fun! I love watching her interviews

[@raifajoenos9910]

rachel was perfect for lucy

[@avgi9524]

I love all the songs she sings that are on the soundtrack of this movie, "The Ballad of Lucy Gray Baird" is my all time favourite.... I absolutely loooove that song!

[@samsamsam4790]

She sooo charming as lucy love her instantly i am as swayed as a capitol resident

[@sarinap.1636]

The movie was amazing. Everyone was well cast, especially the leads.

[@laurarepetti3449]

This was a great interview, always nice to hear some different questions when you're following all the coverage 👏💖

[@olihhayes]

Loved this interview and their chemistry

[@lovekirbysomuch]

I am a Ali Plumb fan too. Saw the film a few days ago. Got obsessed and needed more so I was looking for interviews. Just literally typed ''Ali Plumb Hunger Games'' in the search bar, hoping the cast had an interview with him. I'm really pleased that it exists because I love his wit, his unusual/specific questions and comments. Love the guy.

[@taylor_1944]

one of my favorite interviews of them !!!

[@kayg7438]

Don't get why people hate Rachel. She's super talented.

[@fernandozelaya8481]

Tom hace una excelente actuación, te crees completamente que es un Snow joven.

[@noutelie]

I love this interviewer. He’s very charming and charismatic!

[@vanessad23]

Her voice is so beautiful!

[@evie7220]

omg going to watch this today with my friends and ive been waiting for this for a year im soo exciteddd ahhhh

[@rafagar8799]

Tom is an Amazing actor love him

[@lyricg8117]

Brilliant movie and brilliant performances and she is beautiful

[@user-qb4hx1wi1x]

I just noticed the bird on Josh's sweater, aww I love that

[@user-hj2jd4tm1s]

I loved the movie. Both are great actors! Loved them and the rest of the cast too. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@enigmasong632]

Love this movie, Tom Blyth was so good!

[@Denis-89]

Finally Ali is back! Best thing about this channel:😁

[@Elbuho7038]

Honestly, one of the wittiest trios I've seen in recent times!

[@chillindj_]

rachel coming up with the bow like katniss was so good with her

[@yislainneitzel21]

The movie is amazing!!!! I missed the hunger games so much.

[@sharonhollander7001]

I have been waiting for this!!!

[@kris_pang]

OMG, Coryo crying after killing Bobbin is one of my fave scenes!

[@abodi_5918]

I love all your videos ❤

[@ScarlettJ1221]

Awww thats so sweet, Rachel got her sister in the movie

[@aroisnice]

yet another great interview! uhh I don't know any drama behind all these comments, and I think I won't try and find out.

[@ScarlettJ1221]

Rachel's bow is priceless

[@Urbxx]

improvising, for me, she gave us one of the best references of the movie!

[@sofiagarcia467]

This video made my day

[@TaroZak]

Love them

[@eunicefazzi6697]

Tom ❤

[@user-mp1nz4vb6i]

the first time i watched ballad of songbird and snakes i didnt look away from the screen

[@lauren6992]

8:16 HUNTERRRR💀💀

[@KayleeFarnes]

wild that the "children fighting to death" movie is the more wholesome job to her family 😅

[@aeri_taylors-version]

@@KayleeFarnesonly because she’s not involved in the killings 😂

[@samsamsam4790]

He'd kill it in a harry potter movie

[@dobbyistderbeste3909]

People, please grow up and stop hating actors and actresses. You should be smarter than hating on a person you don't know personally. And don't forget, there are worst things in the world than hating a character you play (Robert Pattinson did too btw). Grow up and let people live, nobody is perfect. Rachel is an talented actress and good singer, and if she is not a nice person, what do we have to care, we will never meet her 😂 Boycotting a movie with an actor who is violent or racist or what ever is something else than boycotting, because one actress said something negativ about an old cartoon character she is playing in a diffrent movie

[@anniem2777]

Can’t decide if I’m more a fan of Rachel, Tom or Ali 😂

[@allyburnett3315]

I love Ally bc we have the same name 😂😂 and he is so good with the celebs. Perfect ❤🎉

[@jenniferle8294]

Was very impressed with all the actors in the movie. Especially Rachel she was the shining star

[@Violet_Willows]

Woah! Dont know anything about the Rachel drama, but just saw the movie and it was amazing!!

[@alidz497]

I loved this book but the movie flew by in warp speed- it was so hard to keep up 😢 I feel like we barely got to know the characters. Maybe there will be an extended version!!!! Anyone feel similarly?

[@c_louie670]

Do you recommend the book? I'm still don't know if I should read it.

[@tn1340]

I felt the same way! The scenes between the characters weren't long enough to have any emotional impact apart from a few with Coryo and Tigris

[@jazzmineloves]

@@c_louie670definitely read the book it has a lot more information and you really connect with some of the characters. my emotions were all over the place

[@HailSocialite]

(Spoilers) . . . . . Agreed - I'm still trying to find the words to describe it. It felt like vignettes from the book instead of its own cohesive story. The book takes place over six weeks - the games kept getting delayed, so he had more time with Lucy Gray. In the movie, everything in the Capitol from Lucy Gray's arrival -> Snow leaving is about 4 days I think? It's hard to adapt a book into a movie and I respect a lot of the streamlining they did. But ultimately I felt like it did lack in the character relationships.

[@HailSocialite]

@@c_louie670 YES read the book, highly recommended! Coriolanus Snow is very different in the book, in my opinion, and the movie version was a let down for me.* The book is much more about his internal rationalizations and his sense of entitlement/pride. In the book, he's judging EVERYONE while acting polite to their face. In the movie, he's more sympathetic. The last scenes also play out very differently in the book and they were more psychological. I'm sad about the way they changed it for the movie. *No disrespect to Tom, he did great! It seemed to be a script issue.

[@lunapreteltgarzon8213]

Rachel you are a genius

[@clowneryluv5910]

seeing another hunger games interview in the year 2023 is crazy

[@teahat.]

I love Rachel Zegler

[@Visforelvenshireling]

Well done cast! Well done Ali Plumb! Well done again, Suzanne Collins.

[@tattooedandy93]

Hunter looks very similar to Rosamund Pike.

[@kennedylyman4214]

when i read the book i thought it was Cornelius but when i saw the movie it was not haha

[@doroshii1432]

Damn Rachel had her sister AND boyfriend in the movie lol

[@luiiiandmovieee]

The names are difficult fr. I listened to the audio book and for some reason I found it very funny every time the narrator said "Coriolanus & Sejanus" because it rhymes a bit

[@Paulovlyra]

Rachel loves it just as much as we do ❤

[@rmannayr2129]

LOL LUCY GRAY BEARD!

[@ttaigen]

HUNTER LOVE

[@jessicaarmy-animegirl9454]

I’m not the biggest fan of Rachel but Just watched the Movie in theatre and she did a good job Tom nailed it as well the way he looked 🥰😍 He is a very handsome young man

[@dt8602]

8:18 why would she say it like that lmao 😭

[@larastwert3526]

❤❤❤

[@scsutton1]

These interviews with Ali are the main reason I'm happy that the strikes have stopped after nearly four months.

[@marlaolana2101]

This movie I think is the most beautiful Tom and Rachel ❤❤❤

[@luizvasconcelos9398]

Rachel is perfect for Lucy♡♡♡

[@moncey1120]

Me getting my popcorn ready for these comments

[@grungefrog7840]

Hahahhah me too🍿

[@Nancy-sf2pl]

You need popcorn to read incels commenting “weird weird” and “she ruined a Disney movie!” ???

[@skylarconstantine99]

​​@@Nancy-sf2plor maybe Rachel shouldn't have made those comments😂😂

[@magicalgrass3131]

​@@skylarconstantine99 She can say whatever she wants. That's her OPINION. :>

[@gdesiree29]

​@@grungefrog7840well u will be disappointed

[@prettynerd4779]

I always wondered if Katniss was Snows grandchild... He was with Lucy Grey and I can presume intimate.. wondered if she had Katniss dad? The hanging tree song had me wondering.. Also, Katniss is a perfect mix of Lucy and Snow when you think about it. Also, wonder if Snow built the Victors VIllage in hopes that Lucy would return??

[@mollyforaker4274]

Rachel is so charming in this interview

[@sophiapennington1247]

Is that a rose pin on toms shirt??

[@rmannayr2129]

I LOVE RACHEL!

[@ivideszatigny4163]

Sounds weird but i like how snow take care of her...well not at the end

[@trinity9792]

I thought it was interesting how he chose her but got in his own way and later choosing power and politics

[@olihhayes]

11:27

[@user-qb4hx1wi1x]

From now on, if anyone asked for a movie suggestion I would recommend The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

[@cindiqq2292]

Just saw Hunger Games on IMAX. Good movie, better than The Marvels.

[@not_the_useless_cake856]

Cornelius Snow

[@Celestial26]

Her voice is similar to Hailey Bailey

[@williamsevern1067]

I can be fentanyl right here

[@not_the_useless_cake856]

I keep wanting to pronounce Sejanus’ name Sanjas

[@not_the_useless_cake856]

Until I read the cast announcement I thought Lucy Gray’s last name was Braid..

[@Kille483]

I kept thinking it was Beard

[@RehYuri17]

THE BOW WASN’T SCRIPTED??

[@rmannayr2129]

RACHEL IS PERFECT FOR LUCY!

[@kristinameixsell2748]

They spelled her last name wrong 💀

[@TheMelody4444]

when ? it is zegler though

[@raisingemers]

@@TheMelody4444they mean Lucy’s last name it’s Baird

[@user-xw9ve6xf9k]

She is such a cutie patotie

[@conorbayman]

Im a fan of rachel from the george lucas talkshow. And i feel noone is on the same page

[@peterskorec8246]

3 Ali Plumb fans

[@Jaywheathin]

Don’t love zegler but I did enjoy her performance. Singing was really nice.

[@katelyntans5075]

Genuine question, why does everyone hate her? She seems pleasant in every interview and is insanely talented… I don’t understand the mass distaste towards her

[@aoifec14]

@@katelyntans5075 men don't like when women are feminists apparently

[@cheeryberrie]

​@@katelyntans5075 she's a woman with opinion, no one likes that

[@zachPlushgaming]

​@katelyntans5075 She said stuff about snow white people didn't like and something about her wanting more pay. Personally I think she did great in the movie and I don't have that much of an opinion on her.

[@cherrymoon6554]

3:25