Hunger Games Movie Franchise’s Future Gets Insight From Sunrise On The Reaping Writer

The eternal flame of the Hunger Games franchise could be blown out soon.

After the four original movies with Katniss Everdeen and a prequel focusing on Coriolanus Snow’s villain journey, the Hunger Games universe is officially returning this year, with the story focusing on Haymitch Abernathy’s (Joseph Zada) victory at the 50th Hunger Games. Like the predecessors, it’s based on the Suzanne Collins book Sunrise on the Reaping, but there have been no words on whether there could be more novels in the future and, in extension, movies.

Billy Ray is a key creative who wrote the first and the latest Hunger Games movies. Recently, while speaking with CinemaBlend about his new book, Burn the Water, the writer was asked to provide insight into the franchise’s future. While praising The Hunger Games as “the gold standard,” he admitted that he was “not actually sure” if Sunrise on the Reaping would “be the last one.“

However, he praised that Collins “constructs these things, and I’ve seen the thought and the care that she puts into them. And, I’ve seen what happens when you have the kind of fan loyalty that she has earned.”

“Hunger Games is the gold standard. And, I’ve been under the hood from the start ’cause I adapted the first one and I just adapted the next one. And, I don’t know if that’ll be the last one. I’m not actually sure. I hope not. I’ve seen how Suzanne constructs these things and I’ve seen the thought and the care that she puts into them. And, I’ve seen what happens when you have the kind of fan loyalty that she has earned. That’s the goal. That’s what we’re shooting for.”

It’s worth noting that the franchise’s fate will rely on whether Collins plans to write more books. Francis Lawrence, who directed all but the first film, and producer Nina Jacobson have set the condition that they would commit to making more movies only if the stories were written by the author. That means that hopes for prequels based on Finnick Odair or Johanna Mason’s games are unlikely despite fan demand.

Sunrise on the Reaping is the most recent book written by Collins, and it will be released later this year. Unless there are any confirmations, the upcoming prequel will likely be the final Hunger Games movie in the franchise.

Still, the iconic author may be cooking up a story in secret, and it may not be until the movie’s release that details are unveiled. That scenario actually happened between the 2023 movie release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the surprise book announcement of Sunrise on the Reaping in June 2024. As of writing, Collins has not confirmed whether more Hunger Games books are in the making, and it may not be addressed until after the recent movie’s release.

If Sunrise on the Reaping is the final Hunger Games book, it would conclude all the stories focusing on a District 12 victor. Before Katniss and Peeta, there had only been two previous victors from the district, who were Haymitch and Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). However, the books and the movies have yet to shift their focus to a different set of district winners.

The upcoming prequel will have an even bigger twist, as it marks the Second Quarter Quell. While most games require 24 tributes, the special game will double the number of participants, with four from each district.

While Woody Harrelson portrayed the older version in the four movies, Zada will take over to play a younger version who entered the games. The remaining Sunrise on the Reaping cast includes Mckenna Grace, Ben Wang, Maya Hawke, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, and Kieran Culkin.

It was also confirmed that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will reprise Katniss and Peeta, as they will likely recreate the book’s epilogue. So, if it turns out Sunrise on the Reaping is the last, the franchise has a chance to end in a full-circle moment with the trio back together once more.

Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in theaters on November 20, 2026.