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Screen rights for Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games have been gobbled up by Saw studio Lionsgate. Former Walt Disney president of production Nina Jacobson and her Color Force production company will shepherd the project's development for the mini-major.

Collins' novel has been likened to a mash-up of Brave New World, Battle Royale and Death Race 2000. Set in a future where America has gone and a near-fascist state called Panem now governs North America, the rulers of the land hold an annual bloody, televised competition called the Hunger Games. 12 two-person teams, all comprised of young people, are drawn lottery style from each of Panem's 12 districts. They are sent to compete in an arena where they must battle to the death. The winner of the games is set for the rest of his or her's life; everyone else is food for the worms.

The Hunger Games was first published in last September; a sequel called Catching Fire is set for release this coming September.

With the acquisition of the movie rights for The Hunger Games, Lionsgate may be looking for its own Twilight, Narnia or Harry Potter youth oriented film franchise. As Variety notes Collins' book has been hailed by Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer, essentially minting it in the eyes of her demographic.