Hunger Games' Best Prequel Was Revealed 11 Years Before Songbirds & Snakes

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The best prequel to The Hunger Games series was revealed long before The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was even released. Written by Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games series, Songbirds and Snakes was released in May 2020. A film adaptation of the prequel, which centers on Coriolanus Snow, is set to be released in either 2023 or 2024.

While the prequel book was well-received, the best idea for a Hunger Games prequel was hidden in the middle of Catching Fire. The film adaptation of the second Hunger Games book didn't include the chapters that hint towards this prequel idea: an idea that focuses on Haymitch Abernathy. Haymitch is a character who appeared in all three Hunger Games books, as well as all four film adaptations of the series.

Related: Hunger Games: Which District Produced The Most Winners (& How)

In the film series, Haymitch is played by actor Woody Harrelson. Haymitch is introduced in The Hunger Games as the mentor of Katniss and Peeta, with his job being to prepare them for the titular battle royale. Haymitch is a mentor due to him being the sole victor of the Hunger Games to hail from District 12, before Katniss and Peeta's victories. Harrelson reprised his role in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, with the sequel leaving out a specific part of the book that would be perfect for a prequel to the film series: how Haymitch won his Hunger Games.

In the second book, Catching Fire, it is revealed that Haymitch won a Quarter Quell. A Quarter Quell is a special variation of the Hunger Games, which takes place every 25 years, meaning Haymitch won the 50th Games. Quarter Quells have special rules and features, such as the Mutt creations. This often massively changed the games — for example, one important