Viola Davis To Play The Villain in 'The Hunger Games' Prequel

Viola Davis is the latest star to join The Hunger Games prequel movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

“Dr. Gaul is as cruel as she is creative and as fearsome as she is formidable. Snow’s savvy as a political operator

develops in no small part due to his experiences with her as the games’ most commanding figure,” Francis Lawrence, who will direct the pic

Franchise producer Nina Jacobson adds, “From the beginning, Viola has been our dream for Dr. Gaul because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role

We are incredibly fortunate to have an actor with Viola’s extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role.”

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes centers on 18-year Coriolanus Snow, who is hailed as the last hope for his fading lineage

With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the girl tribute from impoverished District 12