New ‘Hunger Games’ book and film are on the horizon

Suzanne Collins is making a return to the ravaged, post-apocalyptic land of Panem for a new “The Hunger Games” novel, drawing inspiration from an 18th-century Scottish philosopher and the contemporary scourge of misinformation.

Scholastic announced on Thursday that the fifth volume of Collins’ dystopian series, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” will be published on March 18, 2025. The Fiftieth Hunger Games are the opening scene of the new book, which is set 24 years prior to the original “Hunger Games” novel, which was published in 2008. This book is also set 40 years after Collins’ most recent work, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”

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Lionsgate, which has produced film adaptations of all four previous “Hunger Games” books, announced on Thursday that “Sunrise on the Reaping” will be released in theatres on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence, who has contributed to all but the inaugural “Hunger Games” film, will resume his role as director.

The first four “Hunger Games” novels have been translated into dozens of languages and have sold over 100 million copies. Collins had ostensibly concluded the series following the 2010 publication of “Mockingjay,” stating in 2015 that it was “time to move on to other territories.” However, four years later, she shocked the publishing industry and readers when she disclosed that she was composing “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which was published in 2020 and is set 64 years prior to the initial book.

Collins has utilised Greek mythology and the Roman gladiator events in her previous “Hunger events” novels. However, she references the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher David Hume in the forthcoming novel.

“I was motivated by David Hume’s concept of implicit submission and, as he put it, ‘the ease with which the many are governed by the few’ in the creation of ‘Sunrise on the Reaping,” Collins stated in a statement. Additionally, the narrative provided an opportunity to explore the influence of those who control the narrative and the use of propaganda. Every day, the inquiry of whether or not something is genuine becomes increasingly urgent to me.

Lionsgate has generated a multibillion-dollar franchise with the “Hunger Games” films. Jennifer Lawrence portrayed the protagonist Katniss Everdeen in the film adaptations of “The Hunger Games,” “Catching Fire,” and “Mockingjay,” the latter of which was released in two installments. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Josh Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland are among the other actors who have been featured.

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In a statement, Lionsgate chair Adam Fogelson stated, “Suzanne Collins is a master storyteller and our creative north star.” “We are extremely privileged to be guided and trusted by a collaborator whose talent and imagination are unfailingly brilliant.”

The film adaptation of “Songbirds and Snakes,” which featured Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler, was released last year. A stage rendition of “Hunger Games” is scheduled to premiere in London this autumn.

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