Suzanne Collins is infusing deeper meaning into the phrase, “Panem today, Panem tomorrow, Panem Forever.”
The renowned author of the popular “Hunger Games” series is expanding the Panem universe with a new book, set in the dystopian world where tributes from 12 impoverished districts of North America participate in a deadly annual event for the entertainment of the affluent Capitol.
The upcoming fifth book in the series, titled “Sunrise on the Reaping,” is scheduled to be released by Scholastic on March 18, 2025. Excitingly, fans can also anticipate a film adaptation of the novel, set to hit theaters on November 20, 2026, as announced by Lionsgate shortly after the book news.
Francis Lawrence, the director of the previous four “Hunger Games” films, is in discussions to helm the new movie, while Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will return as producers.
The fifth book will serve as the sixth film installment, taking viewers 24 years back to the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. This event marks the reaping ceremony, where tributes are chosen to compete in the televised games, setting the stage for the thrilling saga to follow.
Fans will be familiar with the Second Quarter Quell, a pivotal moment where Haymitch Abernathy claimed victory as District 12’s first tribute winner, becoming a mentor to future participants. This backstory enriches the narrative of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark’s journey, encompassing key events from the trilogy’s subsequent books and films.
As anticipation builds for the return to Panem, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson expressed enthusiasm for this latest addition to the beloved franchise.
The recent announcement of the book and film aligns with the success of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” released in 2023 as a prequel to Collins’ original trilogy, shedding light on the origins of Panem’s oppressive ruler, Coriolanus Snow. The film adaptation garnered significant box office success, adding to the overall franchise earnings exceeding $3.3 billion.
