Taking a trip back to Panem! By now, it feels like fans have watched and read the Hunger Games trilogy a million times and, to be honest, it never gets old.

It’s safe to say that the world Suzanne Collins created when the first novel was published in 2008, will live on as one of the greatest of all time. In May 2020, the author release the book series’ prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and it’s officially being turned into a movie. Get ready to be transported right back into the world of Katniss and Peeta! Although it might not include fan-favorites like Gale and Primrose, the novel — and subsequent film — will introduce a group of brand new characters that fans are sure to fall in love with all the same.

After questions about when the movie would officially premiere started to surface online, the studio responsible for the series, Lionsgate, gave a much needed update. According to an August 2021 report published by Deadlinethere’s plans to start filming in early 2022.

“There’s an audience that wants to come back [to theaters]” Lionsgate chairman Joe Drake said, per the publication. “I believe the market’s going to come back. …There’s going to be a strong, robust platform for us to monetize our movies.”

With a new story underway, is there a chance for any original cast members to return to the big screen? The Hunger Games franchise starred Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Elizabeth Banks, among others.

“I love that whole cast and crew. If they can get some of the same people involved, [I would do it] no question,” Josh told Entertainment Tonight in September 2020 about the possibility of joining the prequel. “I don’t know anything about it story-wise, but if it has to do with how we got to the world of the Hunger Games, then I think that’s going to be super-interesting. I would like Peeta to be in it because I would like to be with these people again and work more in that world.”

The actor Bridge to Terabithia added, “I haven’t gotten a call for it. I’m excited to read the book though.”

Ready to head back into the world of the Hunger Games? Because we know we are! Scroll through our gallery to uncover everything you need to know about the Hunger Games prequel movie, including cast, projected release date and more details. 

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