Hunger Games prequel film The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes officially in the works with Mockingjay director
FANS of The Hunger Games will be diving back into Panem for a prequel movie based on Suzanne Collin’s forthcoming novel.
The acclaimed author will be adding a fourth instalment to her popular saga, titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Francis Lawrence, who directed The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Parts 1 and 2 of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, will return to direct the new film.
Meanwhile Collins herself will adapt the screenplay with Michael Arndt, one of the Catching Fire screenwriters.
Elsewhere, Nina Jacobson, who produced all of the previous Hunger Games movies, returns to produce this prequel with Brad Simpson.
The prequel will track the early life of President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland in the original trilogy.
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As the resident villain, Snow oversaw the wealth Capitol, who pitted youngsters from the nation’s working districts against each other in a brutal battle to the death.
He was ultimately overthrown by Katniss Everdeen, who was played by Jennifer Lawrence, who led a resistance against the brutal regime.
Years before his election as president of Panem, Snow is picked to be a mentor for the 10th annual Hunger Games.
However, the snobbish character is horrified to discover the female tribute he's assigned hails from District 12.
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“Lionsgate has always been the cinematic home of The Hunger Games, and I’m delighted to be returning to them with this new book,” Collins, who also serves as executive producer, said in a statement.
“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,” he went on.
“It’s such a pleasure to be reuniting with Nina, Francis, and Michael to adapt the novel to the screen, and having them share their remarkable talents, once again, with the world of Panem.
“I look forward to collaborating with them and all at Lionsgate as we bring The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes to theatres worldwide.”
Casting and a potential release for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes remain under wraps.