‘The Hunger Games’ prequel novel is coming in 2020 and there could be a movie in the works

Get excited, “Hunger Games” fans. There’s a new novel in the works. Scholastic recently announced that it will release author Suzanne Collin’s new “Hunger Games” prequel on May 19, 2020.

The so-far untitled book will reportedly take place 64 years before the events of the original trilogy during the “Dark Days” of Panem, the post-apocalyptic North American country where the “Hunger Games” is set, and explore themes of humanity and survival, said Collins.

“With this book, I wanted to explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival. The reconstruction period ten 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,” she said in a statement.

And although the book hasn’t been released yet, the success of the previous books and film adaptions makes the odds ever in our favor that this new prequel will also be made into a movie. Talks are currently taking place between Collins and Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

“As the proud home of the Hunger Games movies, we can hardly wait for Suzanne’s next book to be published,” said Joe Drake, Lionsgate chairman, in a separate statement. “We’ve been communicating with her during the writing process and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her on the movie.”

Scholastic posted this tweet on Monday, teasing the new book:

Unfortunately for Katniss and Peeta fans, since the book is set long before those characters are born, it’s unlikely that everyone’s favorite District 12 residents will make an appearance in the prequel. This means an all-new set of characters and stories to tell; however, since the last book in the trilogy commemorated the 75th anniversary of the book’s titular battle-to-the-death, the new prequel will undoubtedly feature a Hunger Games and all of the drama and violence that goes along with that.

Internet reaction from fans has been positive, many referencing the fact that they thought they were done with “The Hunger Games” but are ready for a new installment. Twitter user @Lucia posted this when she found out about the new book:

And here’s a post from @peachymick, indicating her readiness to pay to experience more stories in Collins’ fictional world of Panem:

And here’s one Twitter user’s humorous representation of Lionsgate executives rushing to adapt the novel into one more “Hunger Games” movie, from @represivo:

“The Hunger Games” series has sold more than 100 million copies and is credited with launching a new wave of dystopian fiction aimed at youth readers. The four movies earned $2.9 billion at the box office.

Are you ready to experience more “Hunger Games?” Personally, I’m happy to volunteer as tribute!