CinemaCon 2023: Lionsgate Films Presentation

In a surprisingly light schedule, there was barely any mention of ‘John Wick’ spin-off Ballerina or the likes of ‘Saw X.’

(L to R) Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird in 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.' Photo Credit: Murray Close.

Lionsgate might not quite have the same number of giant films to tout compared to its bigger studio rivals, but it has some solid performers. Could there be chatter about the success of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ and a look ahead to spin-off ‘Ballerina’, which stars Ana de Armas?

And, of course, the company is headed back to the world of ‘The Hunger Games’ later this year for a prequel.

Team Lionsgate kicked off by mentioning their two upcoming titles –– as in this week –– with ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ and ‘Sisu’ before turning to the forthcoming rest of the year and beyond…. Which somewhat surprisingly turned out to be a sizzle reel or imagery and logos that dispensed with most of the slate.

(L to R) Rachel McAdams as Barbara Dimon and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon in 'Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.' Photo Credit: Dana Hawley.

Among the movies we can expect?

‘About my Father’ (May 26th), a new comedy drama starring Robert De Niro, horror spoof ‘The Blackening’ (June 16th), raucous comedy ‘Joy Ride’ (more on that in a moment), ‘Wonder’ spin-off ‘White Bird’ (August 18th) and ‘The Expendables 4’ (September 22, which only showed a logo, but promises more action with genre legends and new faces).

Plus, there is ‘Ordinary Angels’ (October 13), which stars Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson and is inspired by the true story of a hairdresser who single-handedly rallies an entire community to help a widowed father save the life of his critically ill young daughter. And finally in the reel, ‘Saw X’, which arrives just in time for Halloween on October 27th.

First up, one of the biggies…

‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’

(L to R) Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird and Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow in 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.' Photo Credit: Murray Close.

This prequel to the hugely successful movie series that starred Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen returns us to the dystopian world of Panem (where conflict has led to huge shortages and “Districts” send “Tributes” to compete in lethal games to distract the populace.

This time, however, the story is set decades before the time of Katniss and focuses on a younger Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth –– playing the character who will eventually become Donald Sutherland’s cruel President Snow). At this point, the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol.

With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy Gray’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.

‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th.

A new poster appeared on screen, which was soon followed by the first trailer for the movie that you can see below.

It’s suitably epic, with the likes of Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage and Jason Schwartzman all involved, and even a vocal cameo for Donald Sutherland –– pointing to a potential bookend for the movie –– who reminds us that “it’s the things you love the most that destroy you.”

But that was it for the movie; no star power and little else mentioned.

‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

"Everyone hungers for something."

PG-132 hr 37 minNov 17th, 2023

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Online

Next up, something all-together ruder and more chaotic…

‘Joy Ride’

(L to R) Stephanie Hsu as Kat, Sabrina Wu as Deadeye, Ashley Park as Audrey, and Sherry Cola as Lolo in 'Joy Ride.'

As mentioned, Lionsgate is hopeful for new comedy ‘Joy Ride’, directed by ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ co-writer Adele Lim and starring Ashley Park, Sherry Cola and ‘Everything Everywhere’ Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu.

Written by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong & Teresa Hsiao, Joy Ride is a story of identity and self-discovery focusing on four unlikely friends who embark on a once-in-a-lifetime international adventure. When Audrey’s (Park) business trip to Asia goes sideways, she enlists the aid of Lolo (Cola), her irreverent, childhood best friend who also happens to be a hot mess; Kat (Hsu), her college friend turned Chinese soap star; and Deadeye (Sabrina Wu), Lolo’s eccentric cousin.

This one at least had the on-stage support of producer Seth Rogen, who showed up (in a different outfit from the Paramount presentation) to enthuse about the movie and how it was the first comedy he watched after pandemic lockdowns and how much of a relief it was to see someone making one after the long, dark slog.

And that was pretty much it for talk of the film –– since Lionsgate screened it for the CinemaCon crowd.