Suzanne Collins on 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'

Photo by Todd Plitt

It’s always a treat to hear what goes through Suzanne Collins mind when she’s writing! Here's a great (and rare) interview with Suzanne and David Levithan, VP, Publisher and Editorial Director at Scholastic, and one of her editors, about the making of the book. There are a few spoilers if you haven’t read the book yet! Read on at your own risk.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

David Levithan: I’ll start with the two questions I’m sure most readers will want to ask: Did you always plan to return to Panem after the trilogy with a book set sixty-four years earlier? And if not, what made you return to the story in this way? 

Suzanne Collins: Here’s how it works now. I have two worlds, the Underland (the world of The Underland Chronicles series) and Panem (the world of The Hunger Games). I use both of them to explore elements of just war theory. When I find a related topic that I want to examine, then I look for the place it best fits. The state of nature debate of the Enlightenment period naturally lent itself to a story centered on Coriolanus Snow. 

Focusing on the 10th Hunger Games also gave me the opportunity to tell Lucy Gray’s story. In the first chapter of The Hunger Games, I make reference to a fourth District 12 victor. Katniss doesn’t seem to know anything about the person worth mentioning. While her story isn’t well-known, Lucy Gray lives on in a significant way through her music, helping to bring down Snow in the trilogy. Imagine his reaction when Katniss starts singing “Deep in the Meadow” to Rue in the arena. Beyond that, Lucy Gray’s legacy is that she introduced entertainment to the Hunger Games. 

Click to read more ...

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is Here! Plus Suzanne Collins Reads From Chapter 3

Happy Hunger Games prequel release day, tributes! The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is finally here! If you haven't grabbed your copy yet you can order it on kindle HERE and have it on your phone or tablet in less than a minute. 

Bonus  - Story time with Suzanne Collins! Watch as she reads from Chapter 3 of the book:

We can't wait to hear what you think of the new book! Let us know in the comments or on social media. 

The Dream Team is Back for Another Hunger Games Movie: Francis Lawrence, Suzanne Collins & Nina Jacobson Reunite for The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes At Lionsgate

Exciting news, tributes! Our favorite team is BACK to bring us another Hunger Games film! The Hunger Games franchise filmmaker Francis Lawrence will return to direct the Lionsgate prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes based on Suzanne Collins’ upcoming Scholastic novel available for sale on May 19th. Lawrence directed the last three Hunger Games movies: Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1, and Mockingjay Part 2. No casting has been announced, but that doesn’t mean we can't start fan-casting once that book drops. The project will start prep once production can safely resume post COVID-19 pandemic.

We’re thrilled to report that franchise producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are also returning. We know how carefully Nina treated every aspect of the franchise and are so happy she’s back for the prequel(s?). Suzanne Collins will write the film’s treatment (HOORAY!) and Michael Arndt, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Little Miss Sunshine will adapt the screenplay, after previously serving as one of the writers of Catching Fire. It's going to be GOOD! Suzanne Collins also will serve as an Executive Producer.

The deal was overseen by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Joe Drake, who bought the original book during his previous tenure at the studio as head of the motion picture group. With the release of the new book, Drake made The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes a priority for Lionsgate.

The prequel movie will focus on Coriolanus Snow at age 18, years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem. Young Coriolanus is handsome and charming, and though the Snow family has fallen on hard times, he sees a chance for a change in his fortunes when he is chosen to be a mentor for the Tenth Hunger Games… only to have his elation dashed when he is assigned to mentor the girl tribute from impoverished District 12.

Commenting on the announcement, Drake said, “Suzanne’s new book has been worth the wait. 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 Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is creatively thrilling and takes this world to complex new dimensions that open up amazing cinematic possibilities. We’re thrilled to reunite this filmmaking team with this very unique franchise, and we can’t wait to begin production.”

“Lionsgate has always been the cinematic home of The Hunger Games, and I’m delighted to be returning to them with this new book,” said Collins. “From the beginning, they have treated the source material with great respect, honoring the thematic and narrative elements of the story, and assembling an incredible team both in front of and behind the camera. 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 theaters worldwide.”

Jim Miller, the Lionsgate executive who has served as the studio’s project executive on all of the franchise’s films, will oversee the production.

Lionsgate hinted at the possibility of more than one Hunger Games prequel movie in the works on twitter yesterday. “We’re just getting started.”

Order your copy of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes HERE. 

‘Hunger Games’ Dark Days Prequel Novel From Suzanne Collins Coming In 2020 + Lionsgate In Talks For Movie

Rejoice, tributes! Scholastic announced today that will be publishing Suzanne Collins’ new Hunger Games prequel novel next spring! The currently untitled book about the Dark Days of Panem will hit shelves on May 19, 2020.

The novel will be set in the world of Panem on the morning of the reaping of the 10th Hunger Games - 64 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy and well before the lifetime of Katniss Everdeen.

On returning to Panem and The Hunger Games Collins said, “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.

“Suzanne Collins is a master at combining brilliant storytelling, superb world building, breathtaking suspense, and social commentary,” said Ellie Berger, President of Scholastic Trade. “We are absolutely thrilled - as both readers and publishers - to introduce the devoted fans of the series and a new audience to an entirely new perspective on this modern classic.”

Lionsgate is in talks with Collins about adapting the prequel novel into a film, according to a statement from a Lionsgate executive: “As the proud home of the Hunger Games movies, we can hardly wait for Suzanne’s next book to be published. We’ve been communicating with her during the writing process and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her on the movie,” said Joe Drake, Chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group about the potential plans for a movie.

Stay tuned!

New Photoshoot and Interview With Josh Hutcherson In DuJour

Click images for full size

There's a new interview and ridiculously handsome photoshoot with Josh Hutcherson in DuJour.com.

Josh talks aboout Mockingjay Part 2 and compares the set to a frat house. 

“We were filming in Berlin, all staying in the same hotel. Most of us were on the same floor. It was an open-door policy. At any moment you were ready to cover yourself because there was some incoming nonsense from outside.” Like what? “Like Woody Harrelson half-naked with a towel trying to smack you. The Hunger Games has been the equivalent of a college experience,” he says. “At 18, you go to college. Now I’m 23. I’m out of college.”

  

On Joshifer:

Meanwhile, his friendship with Hunger Games co-star Jennifer Lawrence has become such a national obsession that the two have their own nickname: Joshifer. Of their slumber parties (with co-star Liam Hemsworth) Hutcherson says it’s not what you think. “It’s not the three of us cuddled up in a bed!” So what, it’s more about avoiding drunk driving? “Exactly,” he says. “We’re being responsible young adults!” 

On life after The Hunger Games:

Hutcherson insists he has no plan for life after Panem, and that he isn’t studying the post-Twilight pitfalls of his contemporaries for clues. It’s worth remembering, Taylor Lautner also once presented at the Oscars. “I like to be driven by projects and stories and characters as opposed to strategic career moves,” Hutcherson says, laughing as the words escape his mouth. “We’ll see how that turns out. But I’d rather go broke and never work again instead of doing movies that I didn’t want to make because of a career path.”    

 

On enjoying life at 23:

While he’s looking for his next project, and reading scripts for the production company he started with his mom, he’s also enjoying being 23. The other night he went to see the Swedish singer Tove Lo perform in Koreatown (one of his friends is shooting the behind-the-scenes footage of her tour), and then invited everyone over for “a dance party.” He pulls out his phone to show off some photos from the night, where his guests are posing in masks. “I have a big box of costumes,” Hutcherson explains, scrolling and laughing. “We got the Burger King guy, Indian chief, pumpkin girl….”           

A box of costumes? Hutcherson isn’t particularly concerned with looking cool for a reporter, which is refreshing. When he talks about going to Bonnaroo with his kid brother earlier this year, he’s as excited to talk about Kendrick Lamar’s set as he is talking about how he and his brother rigged a makeshift A/C unit out of a fan and cooler full of ice,MacGyver-style. When Jennifer Lawrence performed Cher’s “Believe” in a bit on Conan, Hutcherson gamely sang back-up. 

On long-distance love with girlfriend Spanish actress Claudia Traisac:

“There’s a lot of traveling, a lot of Skype,” he says of his long-distance relationship. Skype can be a double-edged sword, I suggest and he doesn’t disagree outlining his struggles with being able to see his girlfriend but not, you know, touch her. “I feel like I’m with you because I’m seeing you and we’re talking,” he says, “but also you’re a fucking screen. It’s very frustrating.” But quickly his genial nature returns, and he focuses on the positive: “It’s kind of cool. We’re doing this international thing.” And it seems he’s thinking long-term, saying they might spend next summer together in New York. “We’re young, we make it work.” 

Read the full article at DuJour.com.

On The Scene: Mockingjay LA Premier Shaping Up

While the countdown reaches mere hours until Jennifer Lawrence and the cast of Mockingjay Part 1 walk the red carpet, workers are fervently putting together the red carpet stage and after party tent.

As you'll see, it looks like this year's red carpet event will follow the amazing vision of Tim Palen's marketing team that have brought us the stark white propaganda of President Snow's Capitol, and the spartan  "counter prop" of District 13. 

It looks like the red carpet might follow the stark white theme of President Snow's propaganda. Click to see a larger view.

Click the image to see a full sized image of progress on the After Party tent

After party-goers look to be getting a taste of District 13 and the destruction of the Districts, with the entrance shrouded in large concrete rubble and huge propaganda art.  Quite a departure from last year's party that featured a distinctly Capitol feel, much more akin to something President Snow might host, with painted capitol citizens and lavish accouterments.

 We'll keep you updated as the hours draw closer with more images and updates, so stay tuned!

'Mockingjay Part 1' "Our Leader The Mockingjay" Trailer Debut

The LOOOONG awaited The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 "Our Leader The Mockingjay" teaser trailer finally made it's debut online tonight on The Hunger Games official facebook page! We got a preview of it at Comic Con (see our thoughts about the trailer HERE) and many fans went to participating Best Buy locations over the weekend to catch a preview. But we're so excited the EVERYONE can finally see the short but very sweet teaser. 

We get a look at Francis' violent yet gorgeous vision of the districts in rebellion, a peek at Natalie Dormer as Cressida, Robert Knepper as Antonius and Patina Miller as Paylor, plus we finally get a glimpse of a heartbreaking Katniss. Her pivotal line still leaves us with goosebumps, "I am. I will."

'Mockingjay Part 1' Teaser Trailer #2 Likely This Week

We could have a new Mockingjay teaser trailer by Thursday, tributes!!

Our friends at Quarter Quell say a 59 second long NEW teaser will be in US cinemas this week, to be shown with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes starting with Thursday previews. Hopefully, that means we'll see it online on CapitolTV (and The Hunger Games official YouTube channel) before the debut in theaters on Thursday.

This hasn't been confirmed by Lionsgate so please be advised. AND be sure to check with your local theater before heading out. Some theaters opted not to show the first Mockingjay teaser as expected before Transformers: Age of Extinction and many tributes were very disappointed. 

Read the details at QuarterQuell.org.