Highlights
- Despite director Francis Lawrence expressing openness to another Katniss story, many believe that her character arc is complete and she should not return to the Hunger Games franchise.
- Putting Katniss back in the games would mean undoing the progress she made in the original series and subjecting her to more trauma and suffering.
- Wanting more Hunger Games content for entertainment goes against the message of the books, which critiques a society where children kill each other for sport. Perhaps it's best to let the franchise rest.
Following the conclusion of The Hunger Games series in 2013, it seems unlikely that star Jennifer Lawrence would return for a follow-up story. But director Francis Lawrence -- no relation -- has offered one caveat that might entice the actor back to the stage.
Based on the dystopian YA series by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games stood apart from other similar franchises. The Hunger Games was not only about the romance. In fact, as a protagonist, Katniss (Lawrence), is largely uninterested in that part. The Hunger Games is about survival at any cost in a brutal world. Lawrence had been gaining popularity after appearing in some of the better X-Men films and elevated the material even further. The Hunger Games is seeing a renaissance due to the President Snow prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
The Hunger Games: 7 Things That Happened In The Games Before The Books
The Hunger Games had a long history before the iconic Katniss Everdeen toppled the dictatorship, from tragic winners to brutal rulership.
But don’t count on Lawrence returning to the Hunger Games franchise. Not unless one thing comes to pass. Francis Lawrence said as much in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment. “I think that if for whatever reason [Collins] had some thematic idea that made sense to tell another Katniss story, I’d be in, and then I’m sure Jen would be in. But it really all comes from theme and idea, and Suzanne.”
Many agree that Katniss' story is complete. At the end of Mockingjay Part 2, Katniss has put the games behind her. Snow (Donald Sutherland) and the duplicitous President Coin (Julianne Moore) have been put to rest, and now Panem can do the work to make a democratic society. Katniss can have a family knowing they will never be shoved into a battle for entertainment. No one needs another story with Katniss, and if one came about, it would probably mean something would have gone wrong.
To even put Katniss back in a story with merit would mean that her happiness would be short-lived. After all her struggles, PTSD, and Peeta's (Josh Hutcherson) brainwashing, it would be devastating to see Katniss or her family be subjected to the Hunger Games again. If fans intend to see more stories in Panem, it would have to be in Hunger Games prequel form ala Songbirds and Snakes. And even clamoring for more The Hunger Games content for entertainment goes against what the books are about, to begin with. The Hunger Games has made a point of saying that children killing each other for sport is what is wrong with this society, and maybe the franchise should be put to bed.
The Hunger Games franchise is available to stream on Peacock.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment