Suzanne Collins, the famously private author behind The Hunger Games, has broken her silence with a rare public letter about the upcoming film adaptation of her prequel novel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Lionsgate released the message to fans on Friday, November 13, one week before the movie arrives in theaters. Collins, 64, does not use social media and has stayed out of the film's press tour. Her last public appearance was about three years ago, which makes the letter a notable moment for the franchise.
In it, Collins said she could not be more excited for audiences to see the movie. She wrote that director Francis Lawrence and his team had delivered a vibrant and devastating adaptation of her book, leaving her with the happy task of praising it. Lawrence has directed every Hunger Games film since Catching Fire.
The story is set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen first volunteered for the games. It follows 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, who is chosen for the 50th Hunger Games, a Quarter Quell in which twice as many tributes are taken from the districts. Collins singled out newcomer Joseph Zada, who plays the young Haymitch, saying the cast was led by a remarkably powerful and moving performance from him.
She also paid tribute to Woody Harrelson, who played the older Haymitch in the original films, calling his portrayal masterful. Collins said the return of franchise stars such as Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson adds poignancy for longtime fans. Of the wider ensemble, which includes Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes and Billy Porter, she said every performer was a gem and that she could not imagine a better cast.
The letter also thanked the film's writers, designers and other crew members, along with singer Noah Kahan, who wrote one of the movie's original songs, Draw You Out.
Collins went on to credit producer Nina Jacobson, who optioned the original trilogy in 2009 and was committed to developing a faithful version of the series. She added that it has been a privilege to work with the Lionsgate team for the past 17 years.
The author closed by thanking readers and film fans for their continued presence in Panem and ended with the series' signature sign-off, wishing that the odds be ever in their favor.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in theaters on November 20.
