The weather could best be described as post apocalyptic, but the venue was rather more glamorous as London’s BFI Waterloo played host to the UK premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes.
On a freezing night in the English capital, an American cast more familiar with clement Californian sunshine gathered to celebrate the new film’s eagerly anticipated release.
Set in a bleak dystopian future, director Francis Lawrence’s socially-conscious science fiction fantasy is set some 64-years before the events that take place in the much-loved franchise’s first film – 2012 blockbuster The Hunger Games.
And true to form, leading ladies Rachel Zegler and Hunter Schafer looked out of this world as they greeted onlookers outside the south-east London venue.
Rachel, 22, inevitably commanded attention in a sweeping black evening gown with sheer lace detail while posing for photos after making her way to the BFI from the Corinthia Hotel.
Let the games begin: Rachel Zegler (L) and Hunter Schafer (R) led the red carpet glamour at the UK premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes on Thursday night
Stunning: Rachel, 22, inevitably commanded attention in a sweeping black evening gown with sheer lace detail
Radiant: Hunter, 24, put on a racy display in a gold crop bralet with short sleeves and a plunging neckline
Rachel’s sleeveless garment featured a high collar while she added height to her frame with a pair of black boots.
Styling her locks into loose curls, the actress completed her look with a pair of eye-catching silver earrings.
Hunter, 24, put on a racy display in a gold crop bralet with short sleeves and a plunging neckline.
The top highlighted her toned abdomen with the film star pairing it with a matching skirt with a leg split.
Styling her blonde tresses into a sleek updo, Hunter accentuated her natural beauty with a light palette of makeup.
Meanwhile, Maura Higgins looked nothing short of sensational as she attended the event in a slinky gold gown.
The figure-hugging garment featured long-sleeves and a matcing hood with the Love Island star wearing her brunette locks in a slicked back style.
Also in attendance at the premiere was Tallia Storm who effortlessly turned heads in a black cut oiut mini dress with a plunging neckline.
Wow: Maura Higgins looked nothing short of sensational as she attended the event in a slinky gold gown
Sultry: Lottie Moss cut a glamorous figure in a pach sheer mini dress that highlighted her incredible figure
Golden girl: Sophie Hermann opted for a daring look as she slipped into a bright gold strapless gown that showed off her toned pins
Looking good: Imogen Thomas showcased her figure in a skintight black long-sleeved jumpsuit while Lizzie Cundy opted for a slinky black catsuit
Style: Rachel’s sleeveless garment featured a high collar while she added height to her frame with a pair of black boots
Highlighted her ample assets, Tallia also boosted her frame with thigh-high black boots and wrapped up in a matching jacket.
Adding to her outfit with a silver necklace, the singer completed her look with a pair of black leather gloves.
Imogen Thomas showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a skintight black long-sleeved jumpsuit.
The garment featured a floral pattern while the former Big Brother star paired it with black heels.
Lottie Moss cut a glamorous figure in a pach sheer mini dress that highlighted her incredible figure.
The revealing garment also featured a plunging neckline along with a tassel embellishment across the chest.
Lizzie Cundy ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived on the red carpet wearing a daring black cat suit.
The media personality also sported a pair of matching black boots and wore her blonde locks loose down her shoulders.
Vanessa Baur looked radiant as ever for the evening as she walked the red carpet in a black gown with a daring leg split.
The garment also featured a cut out detail across the abdomen with the Dancing On Ice star also sporting black stilettos.
Sophie Hermann opted for a daring look as she slipped into a bright gold strapless gown that showed off her toned pins.
The Made In Chelsea star also wore a matching shawl along with a pair of chunky black ankle boots.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a prequel set 64 years before the events of the original series. It shows the 10th Annual Hunger Games, which is the first time mentors are introduced to make the contest seem more ‘watchable’.
This is the story of the spark that started the fire, with everything you know and love about The Hunger Games beginning here!
Fans will remember Coriolanus Snow as the tyrannical president of Panem, but in this movie Tom Blyth plays him as an 18-year-old man preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games.
The odds are against him as he’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the charismatic female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler).
Their fates are now completely intertwined – every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favour or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena the stakes couldn’t be higher, with only one competitor making it out alive.
Forced to watch on from outside, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute, and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to help her survive no matter what it takes.
In The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, you’ll plunge deep into the cruel, corrupt yet darkly mesmerising state of Panem, with its dangerous political machinations that are strikingly relevant to the current day.
This is a world where all life hangs on a thread, with every decision potentially being your last.
