We’ll make a return to Panem in 2026 as Lionsgate announces a new Hunger Games film. More on the story below.
Last year’s The Hunger Games: Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes was a welcome return to the world of Panem and introduced us to a much younger Coriolanus Snow, far before he became the villain we saw in the original four films.
The film grossed over $330 million at the global box office against a budget of $100m, making it successful enough for Lionsgate to consider a sequel – and one has just materialised.
It was announced yesterday that author Suzanne Collins is due to release a new Hunger Games book, titled Sunrise On The Reaping, in 2025, and Lionsgate announced a film adaptation would follow in 2026.
The book will take place 40 years after the events of Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes and will feature the Second Quarter Quell.
Fans of the series will know these games as the ones Katniss’ mentor Haymitch won. As we remember from Catching Fire, these Quarter Quells always include a little twist and for the Second Quarter Quell, there were twice the amount of tributes, making for extra violent games.
Read more: Interview | Francis Lawrence talks The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes
No cast has been announced yet. Woody Harrelson played an older Haymitch in the four original The Hunger Games films, but his role will likely be recast as someone younger. Perhaps Harrelson will pop up as a short cameo, but only time will tell.
Meanwhile, Deadline reports that Francis Lawrence, who has directed every film in the series since the second film, Catching Fire, is in talks to direct.
Collins’ Sunrise Of The Reaping will be released on 18th March 2025 and the film adaptation will be in cinemas 20th November 2026.
We’ll keep you updated when we know more about the film. Until then, may the odds be ever in your favour.
