The Hunger Games franchise has made a boatload of money thus far, so it’s only natural that Lionsgate — the studio behind the films — would want to keep the cash flowing. That said, if the studio does move forward with prequels, spinoffs, etc., it looks like it may be doing so without Jennifer Lawrence (aka Katniss Everdeen).
In a recent interview with Variety, Lawrence was asked about the possibility of future Hunger Games movies and said unequivocally “I wouldn’t be involved.” The actress went on to add “I think it’s too soon. They’ve got to let the body get cold, in my opinion.”
Macabre imagery notwithstanding, we’d have to agree with J-Law. Remember, Lionsgate already stretched the third book in Suzanne Collins’ trilogy thin by splitting it into two separate films. If it immediately begins another Hunger Games-related project, it’s possible that franchise fatigue may set in, at least among casual fans.
In fact, the box-office numbers for the latest installment of the series suggest that it might be setting in already. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2 is by no means a flop, but it is on pace to post the lowest domestic gross of the franchise so far.
Still, Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns recently suggested the the studio very well might explore the possibility of some sort of Hunger Games spinoff series. At last week’s UBS Global Media and Communications Conference, Burns likened the franchise to Harry Potter and said it could — in a similar fashion to Rowling’s wizarding world — “live on and on.”
To sum up, it looks like we haven’t seen the last of Panem, but it also looks like J-Law fans will have to catch the actress in one of her many other ongoing/upcoming projects. Next on the docket for the former Mockingjay is David O. Russel’s Joy, which hits theaters this Christmas.
