Rachel Zegler cast in 'Hunger Games' prequel as Lucy Gray Baird

West Side Story actor Rachel Zegler is set to star in The Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Zegler had prompted speculation about her casting after she tweeted on Monday night: "Listen up.. can y'all grow restfully? are you becoming an individual resting decisively?" As eagle-eyed fans pointed out, the first letter of each word in her tweet spells out the main character's name, Lucy Gray Baird.

The movie is being adapted from Suzanne Collins' 2020 book of the same name, which takes place decades before Katniss Everdeen's adventures in The Hunger Games, reports Variety. Jennifer Lawrence, who shot to superstardom as the Girl on Fire, does not appear in the prequel story.

Instead, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes centres around Coriolanus Snow, an ambitious boy who eventually becomes the tyrannical leader of the dystopian country of Panem.

As previously announced, Tom Blyth (Billy the Kid and The Gilded Age) will play the young Snow.

In the upcoming movie, 18-year-old Snow is chosen to mentor Lucy Gray, the female tribute from the impoverished District 12, during the 10th Hunger Games.

As introduced in The Hunger Games trilogy, which were developed into four feature films, the barbaric televised event randomly selects two teenagers from each district to fight to the death.

In the novel, the unassuming Lucy Gray sparks everyone's attention by singing during the reaping ceremony. With her talent and charm, Snow believes he may be able to turn the odds in their favour to win the games.

Given Lucy Gray's vocal prowess, it's no surprise that Zegler, who beat out thousands to star as Maria in Steven Spielberg's acclaimed West Side Story remake, landed the lead role in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Zegler will appear next in Shazam! Fury of the Gods alongside Zachary Levi, Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu; and Disney's live-action Snow White.

"When you read Suzanne's book, Lucy Gray's emotional intelligence, physical agility, and fiercely powerful, determined singing voice shine through. Rachel embodies all of those skills - she is the perfect choice for our Lucy Gray," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Nathan Kahane.

'Hunger Games' veteran Francis Lawrence returned to direct the upcoming film, which will begin production later this year. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released in theatres on November 17.