'Hunger Games' prequel in the works

It appears “Hunger Games” fans eager for more Panem action have the odds in their favor.

A prequel to the franchise that took in almost $3 billion at the box office is officially in the works, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Author Suzanne Collins’ new book “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which is set to land on May 19, will be turned into a big screen film with Francis Lawrence as director. While Gary Ross directed the first film, Lawrence directed the final three.

The book is set 64 years before the events of “The Hunger Games.” It follows Coriolanus Snow as an 18 year old — before he became the dictatorial President of Panem — and his experience as mentor to one of the tributes in the 10th annual Hunger Games.

Screenwriter Michael Arndt and producer Nina Jacobson, the team who worked on the previous films, are on board to return.

No casting news was announced by Joe Drake, chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

“Suzanne’s new book has been worth the wait,” Drake said in statement. “It offers everything fans could hope for and expect from ‘The Hunger Games’ while also breaking new ground and introducing an entirely new canvas of characters.”

The description of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snake” on Amazon reads:

“It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

“The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute … and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.”

Collins will also be an executive producer on the new movie.

“Lionsgate has always been the cinematic home of ‘The Hunger Games,’ and I’m delighted to be returning to them with this new book,” Collins said in a statement.