Hunger Games' New Prequel Thankfully Delays Any Need To Continue Katniss Everdeen's Story

Summary Prequels like Sunrise on the Reaping expand the world of The Hunger Games without risking the legacy of the original trilogy.

It's for the best that Suzanne Collins' new project will focus on Haymitch and the second Quarter Quell instead of Katniss Everdeen.

Collins should wait longer before writing a Hunger Games sequel, and she probably shouldn't return to Katniss even then.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to expand the beloved dystopian franchise, and the upcoming prequel thankfully delays any need to return to Katniss Everdeen's story. Katniss is the heroine of the original Hunger Games books and movies, and she's become an iconic pop culture figure. She's probably the most compelling lead The Hunger Games franchise will ever have, but it's for the best that Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate aren't returning to her story in their spinoffs.

Sunrise on the Reaping will take place during the 50th Hunger Games, so its narrative will unfold long before the Mockingjay becomes the face of the rebellion. In fact, given that it covers the second Quarter Quell, the upcoming Hunger Games prequel will inevitably see Haymitch representing District 12 in the titular tournament. Witnessing Haymitch's Games in real time — and digging deeper into the history of Panem — is an intriguing prospect. It's also a great way for Collins to revisit the franchise without involving Katniss — something that would be too risky to justify.

Related 10 Biggest Hunger Games Moments That Could Appear In The New Prequel The new Hunger Games prequel may include moments alluded to in the previous books as it depicts Haymitch's victory in the arena and events afterward.

Sunrise On The Reaping Helps Hunger Games Expand Without Katniss Everdeen's Return

The Prequel Novel & Movie Continue Exploring Panem Before The Mockingjay

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Sunrise on the Reaping is yet another Hunger Games prequel from Collins, and like The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, it allows the author to continue expanding on this world without touching the original story. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes showed what the Hunger Games were like before the original trilogy, and Sunrise on the Reaping will demonstrate how they've evolved in the 40 years since Snow's origin story. Collins' prequels paint a fascinating picture of The Hunger Games' timeline, revealing how Panem and the Games evolve over 75 years.

Prequels are a more efficient way of bringing readers back to this universe, and they allow for new perspectives and messages to emerge without tarnishing the legacy of Katniss' story.

Such explorations of Collins' world are more interesting than returning to Katniss' timeline, which will ideally be a period of peace following everything that happens in Mockingjay. It's hard to see how the author could continue the narrative of The Hunger Games, which is why Collins is unlikely to pen a sequel. Prequels are a more efficient way of bringing readers back to this universe, and they allow for new perspectives and messages to emerge without tarnishing the legacy of Katniss' story.

Sunrise On The Reaping Could Be The First Of Multiple Books About Haymitch

Knowing that Haymitch wins the 50th Hunger Games tournament, many are expecting Sunrise on the Reaping to follow his character into the arena. If it does, it could be the first of multiple books focused on Katniss and Peeta's mentor. Haymitch's Games are the bloodiest in Panem's history, and fans already know they have a shocking ending. However, Haymitch's backstory doesn't end there. Haymitch loses his family to the Capitol, and he sinks into depression and alcoholism. The Hunger Games trilogy alludes to the latter, and Sunrise on the Reaping will reveal how he got there.

Given the brutality Haymitch faces even after the Games, it seems possible to center more than one book on his character. This is especially true if Collins weaves in other perspectives, like she did in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Given the author's promise to tackle propaganda in Sunrise on the Reaping, it makes sense to have some of the story take place outside the arena. Collins can easily expand on the Quarter Quell by showcasing its aftermath. Whether she'll do so remains to be seen. But either way, she's better off writing more prequels than revisiting Katniss' narrative.

Hunger Games Needs To Wait Longer To Continue Katniss' Story (If It Ever Does)

It's Too Soon To Return To Katniss (& It Risks Ruining Mockingjay's Ending)

The Hunger Games trilogy isn't that old — Mockingjay debuted in 2010 — so it feels a bit too soon to revisit Katniss' story. If Collins ever chooses to write a sequel to The Hunger Games, it should be further out from its conclusion. At present, the original series has a strong legacy. Although many young adult and children's books from the 2000s have aged poorly, readers continue to hold Collins' trilogy in high regard. Its message is timeless, and it almost feels more relevant now than when The Hunger Games first came out.

While it's possible tyranny will come back to Panem, Collins might be better off exploring that cycle long after Katniss and Peeta are gone.

Of course, it's doubtful that Collins should ever return to Katniss' story, even if she does write a Hunger Games sequel one day. Mockingjay gives Katniss and Peeta a hopeful ending, highlighting that they feel safe enough to start a family after ending the Games. While it's possible tyranny will come back to Panem, Collins might be better off exploring that cycle long after Katniss and Peeta are gone. Otherwise, she risks diminishing Mockingjay's ending and ruining Katniss' journey. That's why it's a relief that Sunrise on the Reaping is another prequel, as it leaves Katniss' story alone.