A new chapter in the Hunger Games saga is on the horizon. In June 2024, Scholastic announced that Suzanne Collins will be releasing her fifth book in the series, titled “Sunrise on the Reaping.” Coinciding with this announcement, Lionsgate confirmed that the highly anticipated prequel film will be developed, which is set 24 years before the original “Hunger Games” narrative. This prequel starts on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Games, offering a fresh perspective on the series fans have come to love.
In a press release, Collins expressed her inspiration for the new book, referencing philosopher David Hume’s concepts regarding governance and the nature of power: “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.’” She emphasized the themes of propaganda and narrative control, highlighting the increasingly relevant question of “Real or not real?” in today’s society.
While the novel is set to be published in March 2025, fans will have to wait a bit longer for the film adaptation, which is scheduled to premiere in theaters in November 2026. The anticipation for both the book and the film is building, as these upcoming releases promise to delve deeper into the rich and complex world that has captivated audiences for years.
With this prequel, fans can look forward to exploring new dimensions of the Hunger Games universe, igniting hope for rich storytelling and character development that resonates with today’s socio-political climate.