Dexter Ansell landed a big Hollywood role in a Lionsgate movie just two years after leaving Emmerdale.
The eight-year-old actor, who played two characters in the ITV soap opera, revealed the exciting news to his 990 Instagram followers that he will be starring in The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes.
He wrote: “Delighted to announce that I am playing the young President Snow in the highly anticipated prequel to The Hunger Games, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Serpents.’ In theaters WORLDWIDE November 17.
‘Many thanks to my wonderful agent for this golden opportunity.’
Her father, X Factor and G4 star Jonathan Ansell, also announced the news on his Instagram.
Stunning: Dexter Ansell landed a big Hollywood role in a Lionsgate movie just two years after leaving Emmerdale
Talented: The eight-year-old actor, who played two characters in the ITV soap opera, revealed the exciting news to his 990 Instagram followers
The doting father wrote: ‘LOVE – THE HUNGER GAMES? Well… Little Dexter hits the big screen around the world this November as ‘Young Coriolanus Snow’ in the highly anticipated Hunger Games prequel.
‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Serpents US CINEMA – FRIDAY, NOV. 17.’
Dexter first appeared as Jimmy King’s son Carl Holliday between January and May 2016 before Charlie Munro Joyce took over the role the following month.
He returned to Emmerdale three years later in June 2019 as Dawn Taylor’s young son Lucas Taylor, a role he continued to play until March 2021, before Noah Ryan Aspinall took over the role in December 2021.
The official synopsis for Songbirds & Snakes reads: “Years before he became the tyrannical president of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen out of favor in a publication -War Capitol.
As the tenth Hunger Games quickly approaches, young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the tribute girl from impoverished District 12.
“But after Lucy Gray commands all the attention in Panem by singing defiance during the harvest ceremony, Snow thinks she could turn the odds in her favor.
“Marrying their showmanship instincts and their newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will finally reveal who’s a songbird and who’s a snake.”
He wrote: “Delighted to announce that I am playing the young President Snow in the highly anticipated prequel to The Hunger Games, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Serpents.
Doting Dad: Her father, X Factor and G4 star Jonathan Ansell, also announced the news on his Instagram
Role: He returned to Emmerdale in June 2019 as Dawn Taylor’s young son Lucas Taylor, a role he continued to play until March 2021.
Tom Blyth plays Coriolanus Snow (later to be played by Donald Sutherland), who serves as a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games, before later becoming President of Panem.
Rachel Zegler stars as Lucy Gray Baird, a District 12 tribute who joins forces with Coriolanus after being assigned as a mentor.
When she attracts attention by singing during the harvest ceremony, Coriolanus concludes that she might be his best hope of moving forward.
Jennifer Lawrence starred in the original Hunger Games series as Katniss Everdeen, who is selected to compete in the title competition.
A boy and girl from various districts are chosen to compete as punishment for a failed revolt years before, with the selected competitors fighting to the death until only one winner remains.
The movies were hugely successful, each grossing several hundred million dollars, and all received fairly positive reviews from critics.
Suzanne Collins’ latest prequel novel was published in May 2020, at the height of the current coronavirus pandemic.
Lionsgate gave fans a taste of what’s to come by showing a still of Rachel and Tom in the film, which is set to be released in November 2023.
Songbirds and Snakes first look: Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth were spotted at the Lionsgate reveal
Star Power: Jennifer Lawrence starred in the original Hunger Games series as Katniss Everdeen, who is selected to compete in the deadly title competition.
The film takes place 64 years before Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) becomes a District 12 tribute.
The Hunger Games, which has earned more than $3 billion to date, inspired Collins to take his award-winning short story and write the prequel that hit multiple best-seller lists upon its 2020 release.
Austrian director Francis Lawrence, known for his direction of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, returns to direct Songbirds and Snakes and is committed to exceeding the expectations of fans around the world with this movie.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes will be released in theaters on November 17, 2023.