A 'Hunger Games' Prequel Movie Based On 'The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes' Is Happening

Hunger Games fans, a new movie is officially in the works and it's based on the prequel novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins.

Lionsgate confirmed the news this week, explaining that director Francis Lawrence (the mastermind behind both Catching Fire and Mockingjay) is already on board.

The new film will be an adaptation of the latest Hunger Games novel, a prequel which takes place 64 years before the original.

It's set in the 'dark days' 10 years after the Panem war. Obviously, Katniss isn't around during this period, but it'll instead focus on Coriolanus Snow (aka the now President Snow of Panem) played by Donald Sutherland.

It's difficult times for the Snow family, but when Coriolanus is chosen to be a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games, he starts to see his fortunes change. That is, until he's assigned to mentor the female tribute from District 12.

Suzanne has previously explained: "The reconstruction period 10 years after the war, commonly referred to as the Dark Days - as the country of Panem struggles back to its feet - provides fertile ground for characters to grapple with these questions and thereby define their views of humanity."

In a complete twist from the character fans know as President Snow, the young Coriolanus is handsome and charming in the prequel novel - which is released on 19th May.

Lionsgate)

Nina Jacobson, who has produced all the Hunger Games films will also return, alongside screenwriter Michael Arndt.

"Suzanne's new book has been worth the wait," said Joe Drake, chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

"It offers everything fans could hope for and expect from The Hunger Games while also breaking new ground and introducing an entirely new canvas of characters."

Suzanne, meanwhile, is thrilled that the prequel will be adapted into a movie.

"From the beginning, they have treated the source material with great respect, honouring the thematic and narrative elements of the story, and assembling an incredible team both in front of and behind the camera," she said.

The Hunger Games franchise ended in 2015 with Mockingjay Part II, which saw Katniss marry Peeta and move into a new future uncontrolled by the capital, following the huge war.

While it's not yet been revealed who will star in the prequel film, we know it's set way before Katniss and Peeta's time, so it's unlikely Jennifer Lawrence or Josh Hutcherson will be involved.

Lionsgate are yet to reveal details about when production might start, but we're expecting it will be released next year at the earliest.

*Hopefully* normal routines of stuffing our faces with popcorn in the cinema will have resumed by then...

Topics: Entertainment News, TV and Film

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot. Get in touch at [email protected].

@lucedevine