‘Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping’ The Big Ticket Project At Cannes Market With One Huge Territory Ask Sparking Chatter — The Dish

EXCLUSIVE: While it’s not uncommon for buyers to gripe, here at the Cannes market buyers have lamented the lack of big-canvas must-have projects. As we reported coming into the event, the big-ticket movie was always going to be Lionsgate‘s Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping, which we heard was being budgeted in the $150M range.

That’s a big number in today’s market. But the franchise’s record speaks for itself. The movies deliver and Lionsgate is gathering a strong cast for the latest instalment, with Ralph Fiennes the latest addition as villainous President Coriolanus Snow, joining Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor and Ben Wang. There’s plenty of youth appeal, you’d think.

The chatter in the market is about some of the massive asks for the movie. Germany, we’ve heard from multiple sources, has an ask of north of $20M. That’s pretty much a record single international territory ask. One German source even told us it was closer to $30M. In both instances the deal would come with other movies in the package. Chris Pine actioner Run The Night and John Wick spinoff Caine were two rumoured to be part of any deal.

Not that the ask will be the final purchase price, but who could afford close to that? Leonine took the last Hunger Games movie and is the natural answer. The company has done package deals with Lionsgate before. That’s where most bets are that the movie lands in Germany. Could Amazon pick up multiple markets? That might put indie noses out of joint. It seems unlikely that Constantin would pay that price at the moment.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire made $43M in Germany in 2013. Multiple other movies in the franchise have made $20M in the market, including the last installment. There’s clearly an appetite.

There are other big asks. Italy we heard was in the $7.5M range, Scandinavia in the $3-4M range, Middle East North Africa around $2M. All those are at the high end for asks in those markets so have generated plenty of chatter.

It’ll be fascinating to see how the project is put together at such a budget in this climate. Maybe the budget will come down. We’ll see. Ultimately, it’s good for indie buyers to have a shot at a tried and tested franchise. Many are taken off the table by streamers and studios.

Happy Cannes Hunger Games! May the odds be ever in your favor!