The perfect replacement for the Hunger Games franchise has now been confirmed, thanks to an upcoming movie holding strong connections to the popular young adult series. Lionsgate’s adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games novels became responsible for launching a wave of young adult book adaptations in Hollywood after the first movie proved to be so successful. However, it was quite rare that another book series could step in and deliver a similarly thrilling story that engaged with audiences on the same level. Once the original four Hunger Games movies came to a close, the franchise’s absence left a hole in Hollywood.
The release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was meant to be part of Lionsgate’s plans to extend the franchise and recapture the level of dominance that propelled the previous moves to earn nearly $3 billion worldwide. The prequel movie proved to be a worthwhile venture for the studio, but Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes‘ ending does not necessarily lend itself to setting up more potential movies. With the franchise having no clear future at this point, it now appears that Hollywood has found its perfect Hunger Games replacement. The connections between the projects make it obvious.
The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Proves Hunger Games Learned The Wrong Lesson From Mockingjay
The Hunger Games franchise was heavily criticized for the Mockingjay movies, and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes proves it learned the wrong lessons.
The Long Walk Movie Is Lionsgate’s Best Hunger Games Replacement
Recent developments with Stephen King’s The Long Walk movie position the novel adaptation to help replace the Hunger Games franchise. Hollywood has spent years attempting to turn the 1979 book set in a dystopian future where 100 teenage boys participate in a yearly contest where they are killed if they fail to maintain a certain speed. The teenagers competing in a deadly game for the entertainment of America and a chance to win a prize have direct similarities to The Hunger Games. Now, Lionsgate, the studio behind the aforementioned franchise, has stepped up to secure The Long Walk movie’s rights.
Lionsgate’s involvement in The Long Walk makes it quite clear that the studio thinks it can turn the Stephen King novel into a Hunger Games-style success. This idea is only strengthened with the news that Francis Lawrence is attached to direct The Long Walk. Lawrence has directed four out of the five Hunger Games movies, including The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. He has proven through these movies that he has a strong grasp on the world of dystopian competitions revolving around teenage protagonists. It now looks like Lionsgate wants Lawrence to apply those same practices to The Long Walk.
How The Long Walk Will Be Different From Hunger Games (Despite Connections)
There are a lot of similarities between The Long Walk and The Hunger Games generally speaking, and the movie connections mean they might be heightened for the upcoming adaptation. However, Stephen King’s novel is also quite different from Suzanne Collins’ books. King brings his usual horror approach to the story, whereas Collins’ source material leans more into the young romance and action. It could be most similar to The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes for focusing on a male protagonist and being less action-oriented. Of course, Lionsgate and Lawrence could bring changes to the book to make The Long Walk‘s position as their Hunger Games replacement more direct.
