OG Hunger Games Star Reflects On The Franchise As New Casts Expand The Film Series

The Hunger Games franchise star Josh Hutcherson has given his views on the franchise’s legacy and its future direction. Based on the dystopian novel series by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games became a huge hit upon its release in 2012, grossing almost $700 million and making stars of its cast members, including Jennifer Lawrence and Hutcherson, who portrayed Peeta Mellark. The franchise originally ran four movies, concluding with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 in 2015, before returning with a 2023 prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

In an interview with Esquire, discussing his upcoming horror-comedy sequel movie Five Nights At Freddy’s 2, which is due to begin filming in several weeks, Hutcherson addressed the Hunger Games franchise, its impact, and his hopes for the future. The actor spoke of his pride at being part of the initial iteration of a franchise that continues to grow. He also elaborated on the franchise’s themes and how they connect with audiences today. Read his full comments below:

“I think it has an amazing message—anti-tyranny, pro–giving the people a voice, supporting each other, anti–big government taking over the world. There’s so much great thematics that are at play there, and the fact that it has such a reach and people connect with it, that it’s such a big piece of so many young people’s lives … it’s very cool to be a part of it. And now to see it grow—there’s new versions of it and there’s a new cast, new stories that are being created—to know that I was part of the seed that was planted is very cool.”

What Does The Future Hold For The Hunger Games Franchise?

A New Installment Is Set for Release in 2026

The Hunger Games franchise return came as a surprise, but the modest success of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes has been a positive for the series and led to the announcement in June 2024 that another installment was in production. The movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On the Reaping, is set for release on November 20, 2026, and will be based on Collins’ upcoming second prequel novel, beginning with the morning reaping of the 50th Hunger Games. Per canon, it’s the game that Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) won, as it marked the Second Quarter Quell.

Suzanne Collins’
Sunrise On the Reaping
novel is set for release by Scholastic on March 18, 2025

Whether any cast members from The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes might appear is unclear, but it’s possible the two prequel movies could share a common thread, which would tie them nicely to the franchise. The fact that the prequels are standalone movies means the franchise lacks the security that comes with multiple installments, but there is also less constraint with formula, and a plot can be bookended within one movie. It will be interesting to see whether any future installments might be standalone, or if the franchise might ignite a new trilogy of movies.

Our Take On The Hunger Games Franchise’s Enduring Appeal

The Series Paints A Bleak Picture Of One Possible Reality

In a world more divisive than ever, the franchise has found popularity, and I think this is because many people believe society isn’t too far from veering into territory where the events of The Hunger Games could seem plausible. A bleak, dystopian landscape is often a manifestation of our deepest fears, and the dynamic world-building in The Hunger Games presents a possible future that’s not a million miles away from reality. I believe the franchise’s future will be determined by the success of the upcoming Hunger Games prequel, but signs suggest there’s still interest in this world.

Source: Esquire