Filmmaker Francis Lawrence, known for directing several instalments of The Hunger Games franchise, is taking on another dystopian science-fiction project with an upcoming film adaptation of Pierce Brown’s bestselling novel Red Rising.
Lawrence has teamed up with Paramount Pictures to direct the movie, based on the first book in Brown’s science-fiction series. Justin Rhodes, who previously worked with Lawrence on Netflix’s planned video game adaptation BioShock, will write the screenplay.
Published in 2014, Red Rising is set on a future Mars where society is divided into a rigid colour-coded hierarchy. The story follows Darrow, a miner belonging to the oppressed Red caste, who discovers that his people have been deceived about their role in making the planet habitable.
After suffering a personal tragedy, Darrow sets out to challenge the ruling elite, known as the Golds. He infiltrates their privileged society in an effort to expose its injustices and bring down the system from within.
The series combines political intrigue, social inequality, rebellion and high-stakes conflict. Six books have been published so far, with a seventh instalment in development.
Lawrence will produce the film alongside Cameron MacConomy and Francesco Goedhuis, while Brown will serve as executive producer.
The adaptation adds another major science-fiction property to Lawrence’s filmography. He has directed several entries in The Hunger Games franchise, which centres on a dystopian society where young people are forced to compete in a televised fight to the death.
His next project in that franchise is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, a prequel exploring the story of a young Haymitch Abernathy. The film is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026.
Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Noah Kahan has contributed a song titled Draw You Out to the upcoming film. Kahan said he took the assignment seriously because he wanted to honour the characters created by author Suzanne Collins and meet Lawrence’s expectations for the story.
The Red Rising adaptation has yet to announce a release date or cast.
