We're officially getting another adaptation of The Hunger Games – but don't expect Jennifer Lawrence to pop up.
Since Suzanne Collins' dystopian trilogy first debuted in 2008, The Hunger Games has grown into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. Set in the post-apocalyptic world of Panem, the series follows Katniss Everdeen as she’s thrust into a deadly, televised battle for survival.
‘The Hunger Games' Adaptations So Far
With its sharp commentary on government control and rebellion, the books struck a nerve, eventually leading to a global film franchise starring Jennifer Lawrence as the lead character, accompanied by the likes of Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth for all four films.
A prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, arrived years later—first as a novel by Collins, then as a 2023 film starring Rachel Zegler. Set 64 years before Katniss entered the arena, the prequel dives into the early life of Coriolanus Snow, offering a closer look at the rise of Panem's future president and the origins of the Games.
Now, Collins is expanding the world of Panem even further. Her next prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, will spotlight Haymitch Abernathy—Katniss’ gruff but secretly soft mentor—during his own brutal Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The book drops this year, with a movie adaptation already lined up for 2026.
But before we return to the big screen, The Hunger Games is making its way to the stage.
‘The Hunger Games' Takes To The Stage
The first-ever live theatrical adaptation of The Hunger Games kicks off on October 20 at London’s Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, a sleek 1,200-seat venue in the heart of Canary Wharf.
Award-winning playwright Conor McPherson has reimagined Collins' first book for the stage, with acclaimed director Matthew Dunster at the helm. Casting details are still under wraps, so fans are left guessing who will take on the roles of Katniss, Peeta, Gale, and Prim—as well as the unforgettable figures they encounter in Panem and during the Games, like Effie Trinket, Cato, Clove, and Rue.
Collins herself expressed excitement about the adaptation, saying, “I’m thrilled that ‘The Hunger Games' is in the hands of gifted playwright Conor McPherson and accomplished director Matthew Dunster. Conor has done a fantastic adaptation, which is quite unique from the screenplay. And Matthew’s immersive, dynamic staging gives the audience a brand-new way to experience the story.”
Stage adaptations of beloved franchises are nothing new. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has long captivated audiences on Broadway and the West End, while Percy Jackson & The Olympians and Stranger Things have also found new life in the theater. Now, it’s The Hunger Games‘ turn.
So the question remains: Can the world of Panem capture the same magic live on stage?
