“The Hunger Games” series is not over yet. Best selling author Suzanne Collins of “The Hunger Games” series announced in June of 2024 a new prequel by the title “Sunrise on the Reaping”.
“Set 24 years before the explosive first novel, heads to Panem for the 50th annual games — where Katniss’ future mentor Haymitch Abernathy must compete,” People magazine said.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is set to be published on March 18, 2025. The announcement came as a shock to fans as the author made no prior comment on any new plans after the book and movie release of the prequel, set 64 years before the main trilogy’s events, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”. Along with her announcement she quickly followed with a statement of what inspired her.
“With Sunrise on the Reaping, I was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.’ The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day,” Collins said.
Beyond the news of a new book announcement, Lionsgate simultaneously revealed plans for a new movie adaption in their press release.
“From the beginning, Lionsgate has been a wonderful home and partner for “The Hunger Games” franchise, and I’m very excited to be collaborating with Adam and the team as we bring this next story to theaters in 2026,” Collins said.
The expected release date is set for Nov. 2026 with Francis Lawrence in mind as the film’s director. He directed the last three “Hunger Games” movies from the four film franchise as well as the prequel.
With the book’s release only a month away, fans are filled with anticipation. Though only basic details have been revealed so far, speculation continues to soar daily about the book’s content and potential casting choices for the film adaptation. But there’s no doubt fans have one common question amongst themselves- “Are the odds in our favor?”
