Suzanne Collins is adding depth to the phrase “Panem today, Panem tomorrow, Panem Forever.”
The author of the popular “Hunger Games” series is expanding the Panem universe with a new book, set in a dystopian world where tributes from 12 impoverished districts battle to the death for the Capitol’s entertainment.
The fifth installment of the series, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” will be released by Scholastic on March 18, 2025. But that’s not the only exciting news for fans.
Following the announcement of the new book, Lionsgate revealed that the novel will also be adapted into a film, scheduled for release on Nov. 20, 2026.
Francis Lawrence, the director of the most recent “Hunger Games” movies, is in talks to direct the upcoming film, with Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson returning as producers.
The fifth book, which will serve as the sixth movie installment due to the split of “Mockingjay,” will delve into the events of the Second Quarter Quell, taking place 24 years before the first novel.
This installment will explore the reaping, where tributes are selected for the Hunger Games, and expand on the history of District 12 and its past victors.
With anticipation building for the return to Panem, fans are eager to revisit the legendary Second Quarter Quell and its impact on the Games’ history.
The recently announced book and film follow the 2023 release of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” a prequel exploring the origins of Panem’s tyrannical leader.
The success of the film adaptations and the continued love for the series reflect the enduring popularity of the “Hunger Games” franchise.
“The Hunger Games” films have collectively grossed over $3.3 billion at the box office, showcasing the enduring appeal of Collins’ captivating dystopian world.
