Lionsgate Considers Hunger Games Prequels and Sequels

Well that didn’t take long. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 doesn’t even have a trailer yet (though we now know that it will be in IMAX 3D) and Lionsgate is already thinking about how to keep the world of Panem open and welcoming.

Despite the fact that Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games novels ended with the third installment The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, which Lionsgate unapologetically split into two movies—though for our money with better success than Harry Potter or Twilight had—Lionsgate’s investors understandably would prefer if Katniss and Peeta really did never get off that train.

So, during an earnings call this morning, Lionsgate executives played coy after repeated questions about the future of the Hunger Games franchise before CEO John Feltheimer finally said that Lionsgate was “actively looking at some development, and thinking about prequel and sequel possibilities.”

While certainly not set in stone, that is one message that will easily catch fire with Katniss Everdeen fans.

To be fair, both the prospects of “prequels” or “sequels” does not guarantee a direct continuation of Katniss’ story after this November’s final reaping. Consider how WB is currently adapting J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them into a film series that is set in Harry Potter’s Wizarding World of Hogwarts, but it will not feature the Boy Who Lived.

Likewise, there could be stories about Panem without challenging the ending to the central story that Collins wrote. It also would be financially easier since Lawrence’s contract expires with the last Mockingjay, and we suspect that she may be reluctant to continue the character past her literary roots (at least not without a sizeable salary increase). Then again, these films have made her the biggest action star in the world and if Lionsgate could keep her as the face of The Hunger Games, then it will definitely be bully for them.

[related article: Why Jennifer Lawrence is Good for America]

If I had to purely speculate on how to open this narrative up, for better or worse, a prequel about how the Hunger Games reapings came to be would make the most sense. There is another (failed) rebellion and by the very nature of annual Hunger Games battle royales, the series could continue by following a new winner each year—we imagine following a loser may be too sad for a blockbuster franchise.

In any event, before Lionsgate makes their decision, first there is one more definite shot with Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss for later this year.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 picks up directly after the events of the previous film as Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) prepares to face President snow (Donald Sutherland) for a final showdown. Risking her life, she will attempt to sneak behind enemy lines and infiltrate the capital with a group of her closest friends, including Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claflin), and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), to assassinate the tyrant.

Directed by Franics Lawrence and from a screenplay by Peter Craig and Danny Strong,The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 also stars Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Jeffrey Wright, Jena Malone, Natalie Dormer, and Stanley Tucci.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 opens on November 20, 2015.