Red Rising movie finally moves ahead at Paramount with Hunger Games director
Representative image: BrunoAlbino / Pixabay
Paramount has bought film rights to Pierce Brown's Red Rising books, with Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence set to direct, it was reported on October 16, 2026.
What Happened
Paramount has acquired the film rights to Red Rising, the science-fiction book series by American author Pierce Brown, and Francis Lawrence, who directed most of the Hunger Games films, is attached to direct a movie based on the first novel. The deal was reported on Friday, October 16, 2026. Justin Rhodes will write the script, Lawrence and Cameron MacConomy will produce through their company with Francesco Goedhuis, and Brown will serve as an executive producer. No cast, budget or release date has been announced.
Key Facts
- Paramount has picked up the film rights to Pierce Brown's Red Rising series; the first film will adapt the original 2014 novel.
- Francis Lawrence is attached to direct; he directed every Hunger Games film except the first.
- Justin Rhodes is writing the screenplay.
- Lawrence and Cameron MacConomy produce with Francesco Goedhuis; Pierce Brown is an executive producer.
- Universal Pictures bought the rights in 2014 in a reported seven-figure deal, with Marc Forster set to direct, but that film was never made.
- A television version was also considered in the late 2010s but did not go ahead.
- Lawrence's next film, the Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping, is due on November 20, 2027.
Why It Matters
Red Rising has been waiting for a screen version for more than a decade. Universal bought the rights soon after the first novel came out in 2014, with Marc Forster set to direct, and a television series was considered later, but neither was made. Attaching Francis Lawrence changes the picture: he has already turned another young-adult dystopian book series, The Hunger Games, into a long-running film franchise, directing every film in it except the first.
For Paramount, the deal adds a book series with an existing readership to its slate. Starting with only the first novel lets the studio test the audience before committing to more films, while leaving room for sequels if the first one works. Brown's role as executive producer gives the author a formal place in the project, which matters to readers who want the film to stay close to the books.
Commentators have already pointed out that the first novel will be hard to adapt well, which is part of why earlier attempts stalled. Much will depend on Rhodes's script and on casting, neither of which is settled. Timing is another question: Lawrence's next film, the Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping, is due in November 2027, so Red Rising is unlikely to reach cinemas, in India or elsewhere, before then.
| | Role | Name | |
|---|---|
| | Studio | Paramount | |
| | Director | Francis Lawrence | |
| | Screenwriter | Justin Rhodes | |
| | Producers | Francis Lawrence, Cameron MacConomy, Francesco Goedhuis | |
| | Executive producer | Pierce Brown | |
Impact
Short-term: Fans of the books get the clearest sign yet that a film is coming, and attention will turn to who is cast in the lead roles.
Long-term: If the first film succeeds, Paramount could build a multi-film series from Brown's books, giving the studio a new science-fiction franchise.
Who is affected: Readers of the Red Rising books; Paramount; Francis Lawrence and his production team; and cinema audiences, including in India, who follow big Hollywood series.
Key Takeaway
After more than a decade of false starts, a Red Rising movie is moving ahead at Paramount with Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence attached, though cast and release date are still to come.
Questions and Answers
Is a Red Rising movie being made?
Yes. Paramount has acquired the film rights to Pierce Brown's Red Rising series, and a film based on the first novel is in development with Francis Lawrence attached to direct, as reported on October 16, 2026.
Who is directing the Red Rising movie?
Francis Lawrence, who directed every Hunger Games film except the first. Justin Rhodes is writing the script.
When will the Red Rising movie be released?
No release date has been announced. Lawrence's next film, Sunrise on the Reaping, opens on November 20, 2027, so Red Rising is unlikely to arrive before then.
Why did the earlier Red Rising film not happen?
Universal bought the rights in 2014 with Marc Forster set to direct, and a TV series was later considered, but neither project went ahead.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
