Lionsgate and About: Blank Productions, the brainchild of Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence, has entered a new strategic partnership. Our industry insider and entertainment attorney, Blake & Wang P.A.’s Brandon Blake, has all the details to share.
A Timeous Deal
The Hunger Games franchise has already generated #3.7B in global box office revenue, and Francis Lawrence was attached as director for most of the franchise. The first-look deal with Lionsgate is, itself, quite timely, as Sunrise on the Reaping, the next Hunger Games installment, is set to enter production next year for a late 2026 release date. While The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes didn’t quite meet its lofty box office expectations, the film did excellently globally.
The new collaboration builds upon Lawrence's extensive history with the studio, where he worked alongside screenwriter Michael Arndt and producer Nina Jacobson's Color Force production company. Together, they successfully adapted four of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games novels, including Catching Fire and the two-part Mockingjay conclusion to the original series.
Other Projects at Work
However, the Hunger Games franchise will not be Lawrence’s only value to Lionsgate as it seeks to expand its content footprint. Production of The Long Walk, a Stephen King adaptation, recently wrapped and will also form part of the deal.
This deal also represents a broader industry trend of studios securing long-term relationships with proven directors who can deliver both commercial success and creative consistency. For Lionsgate, maintaining this relationship helps to ensure stability for their most valuable IP while still potentially developing new franchises under Lawrence's creative guidance.
The partnership also positions Lionsgate to strengthen its competitive stance in an increasingly challenging theatrical market. Established franchises and proven filmmakers have become crucial assets for traditional studios competing against streaming platforms and changing audience behaviors.
