Director Francis Lawrence (the director behind the last three Hunger Games films) is set to return to direct the new film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Since The Hunger Games saga ended 5 years ago, it’s been teased that the franchise would be getting a prequel film based on author Suzanne Collin’s upcoming novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Lionsgate announced on Tuesday, April 21.

Francis Lawrence, who previously helmed The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, will return to direct with Collins adapting the screenplay with Catching Fire screenwriter, Michael Arndt.

In the first four films, Donald Sutherland played antagonist President Snow, who controlled the nation of Panem and its annual, savage event where two teenage “tributes” from each of the 12 Districts were picked at random to fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence in the films, was the focus of the books. Now, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will follow an 18-year-old Snow.

The new story will be set years before he became the president of Panem, and he will be mentoring for the 10th annual Hunger Games. Nina Jacobson, who produced the devious four films, will return to produce the new film with Brad Simpson.

“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, who also serves as executive producer, said in a statement. “From the beginning, they have treated the source material with great respect, honoring the thematic and narrative elements of the story, and assembling an incredible team both in front of and behind the camera. It’s such a pleasure to be reuniting with Nina, Francis, and Michael to adapt the novel to the screen, and having them share their remarkable talents, once again, with the world of Panem. I look forward to collaborating with them and all at Lionsgate as we bring The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes to theaters worldwide.”

Are you excited to return to the world of Panem? Sound off in the comments.