First off, Variety has answered my big question:
“The Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” has received an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA, which means that stars Zegler, Blyth, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage and Hunter Schafer are allowed to promote the film before it premieres in theaters on Nov. 17.
It’s not clear why the agreement was granted so close to the film’s release date. But the late-breaking boost in publicity could be a huge help in getting people to go to the movies around Thanksgiving. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” cost $100 million to produce and represents a gamble because it’s the first installment in the billion-dollar franchise in eight years, and the first without Jennifer Lawrence.
For Zegler’s part, she was very grateful on her Insta:
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I’d LOVE to know what happened here and what Lionsgate’s argument was beyond, “we’re about to take a FINANCIAL BATH HERE.” I will note that I didn’t even know this movie was coming out until I saw an ad during…a sporting event? Survivor? Who can say….like a week ago, so they definitely do need the press push. (I personally think people aren’t that hot on Hunger Games content anymore but time will tell.) And I did need the content so…great!!!!! I think her casual jeans/trench/sunglasses look is SO CUTE.
This is…probably ALSO cute but it’s kinda hard to tell because her shirt got a little wonked up there (we’ve all been there):
Tom Blyth and Josh Andres Rivera are also possibly REALLY drawing focus. They look swanky!
