The Hunger Games is heading to London's West End with a stage adaptation directed by 2:22 - A Ghost Story's Matthew Dunster.
Set to premiere at the end of next year, this will be the first time Suzanne Collins' dystopian novel and the first film, released in 2012, are adapted for the stage. Playwright Conor McPherson is behind the play, which is set to draw from Collins' first book in the Katniss Everdeen series.
"I'm very excited to be collaborating with the amazing team of Conor McPherson and Matthew Dunster as they bring their dynamic and innovative interpretation of The Hunger Games to the London stage," Collins said in a statement.
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As for McPherson, he said: "To receive Suzanne Collins' blessing to adapt The Hunger Games for the stage is both humbling and inspiring."
"She has created a classic story which continues to resonate now more than ever. In a world where the truth itself seems increasingly up for grabs, The Hunger Games beautifully expresses values of resilience, self-reliance and independent moral inquiry for younger people especially," he continued.
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"This is turbo-charged storytelling of the highest order and I'm hugely excited to bring it to a new generation of theatregoers and to Suzanne Collins' longstanding and devoted fans."
Theatre director Dunster, also known for Hangmen and The Pillowman, recalled immediately jumping on the chance to direct The Hunger Games for the stage.
"This might be the most exciting work call I've ever had. As soon as the producers said the title, I just said 'Stop! I'm in'," he said.
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"I loved the Lionsgate film and the brutal and emotional power of this dystopian classic. My children had their heads in the books at the time (it's definitely the ONLY work call of mine they've been excited about), so I stole them and I came to appreciate the beauty of Suzanne Collins' storytelling.
"And then to add one of our greatest living playwrights, Conor McPherson, and experience him honouring the voice of Katniss Everdeen so rigorously has been a great privilege. This is theatre. It's The Hunger Games in the theatre.
"And with the world class team we have put together we aim to do something that is fully immersed in the novel and the film but is uniquely, thrillingly theatrical."
Meanwhile, Hunger Games fans will soon be able to feast their eyes on the hotly-anticipated prequel movie The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, set to be released in cinemas on November 17.
The Hunger Games play is set to make its West End debut in autumn 2024.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
