Count no one surprised. When it was first announced that The Hunger Games would be getting a prequel novel, it was paired with the news that Lionsgate would be making a film as well. In fact, at the time, it wasn’t clear if they were planning to work on an all-new movie or adapt the existing novel. Now, it’s clear that it’s the latter situation, which really shouldn’t be a big surprise.

Lionsgate revealed on Tuesday that audiences would be dipping back into the world of Panem with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This will serve as an adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ latest entry in the franchise. Unlike the first three novels, however, this one will be a prequel set 65 years in the past. As such, we will be following a young and ambitious President Snow — before he was president, of course.

There will be some familiar talent joining the film. Nina Jacobson, who produced the first four movies of the franchise, is set to return in that same role. Francis Lawrence, who joined the franchise on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, will also be returning to helm this new film. Michael Arndt, who was one of the scribes on Catching Fire is also returning to pen the script of the prequel flick. Author Suzanne Collins will be writing the film’s treatment.

RELATED – New Hunger Games Book Trailer And Synopsis Get Readers Pumped For President Snow Story

“Suzanne’s new book has been worth the wait,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Joe Drake said. “It offers everything fans could hope for and expect from The Hunger Games while also breaking new ground and introducing an entirely new canvas of characters.”

The book itself has yet to hit shelves. As of this writing, it is set to hit on May 19, 2020 — so, less than a month. There’s no word on if there will be any delay thanks to the pandemic, but I’d be surprised. In the midst of this whole thing, books do seem to be holding strong on the whole, which is great.

Of course, The Hunger Games is a franchise that had quite the impact on two industries. It not only brought with it a new generation of young adult post-apocalyptic fiction. That trend spilled over into cinemas soon after. Admittedly, it was also the only one to actually hit it really big on the big screen, but that didn’t stop a mountain of imitators from giving it a shot.

Are you excited to see how the story of Coriolanus Snow at age 18? Let us know your thoughts down below!

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SOURCE: THR