Francis Lawrence, the filmmaker behind The Hunger Games franchise, has found his next big sci-fi project. Paramount has officially tapped him to direct an adaptation of Red Rising, the best-selling novel series by Pierce Brown. The news comes as Lawrence continues to build an impressive résumé of genre hits, from dystopian YA adaptations to Stephen King thrillers.
Lawrence first made a name for himself directing iconic music videos before transitioning to feature films with Constantine (2005) and I Am Legend (2007). He took over the Hunger Games franchise with Catching Fire in 2013, and he's set to return to Panem later this year with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, starring Joseph Zada and Ralph Fiennes, due in theaters on November 20. His most recent directorial effort, The Long Walk, based on Stephen King's novel, became a streaming sensation after a successful theatrical run.
Now, Lawrence is turning his attention to Red Rising, a series that has sold over six million copies. The adaptation has been in the works for years—Universal had a version in development in the 2010s that never made it to production. With Lawrence at the helm and Justin Rhodes, who collaborated with him on Netflix's Bioshock, writing the script, the project is finally moving forward.
What Is 'Red Rising' About?
Set on Mars in a future where society is divided into a color-coded class system, Red Rising follows Darrow, a young miner from the lowest class, the Reds. After a personal tragedy and a shocking revelation about his world, Darrow infiltrates the ruling Golds to spark a revolution. The series blends Roman mythology with science fiction, creating a gripping tale of rebellion and survival.
The book series currently spans six novels, with a seventh expected next year. Lawrence will adapt the first book for the big screen, aiming to capture the epic scale and political intrigue that have made the books a phenomenon.
For fans of dystopian thrillers, this pairing is a natural fit. Lawrence's experience with large-scale adaptations and his ability to balance action with emotional depth make him an ideal choice for Red Rising. The project also adds to Paramount's growing slate of sci-fi and franchise fare, which has seen success with properties like World War Z on streaming.
While Lawrence has several other projects in development, including Constantine 2 with Keanu Reeves, Red Rising is clearly a priority. The film is expected to be a major release for Paramount, and with Lawrence's track record, it could become the next big sci-fi franchise.
As the Hunger Games franchise continues to expand—and with its streaming availability shifting—Lawrence is proving he's not just a one-genre wonder. Red Rising has the potential to be his most ambitious project yet, and fans are already buzzing about the possibilities.
Stay tuned for more updates on Red Rising as production details emerge. This is one adaptation that sci-fi fans won't want to miss.
