Lionsgate did release a statement in which the studio said it had been communicating with Collins throughout the writing process and was “looking forward” to working with her on a future movie.
The fact that we’re now seeing an actual prequel novel come out first doesn’t feel like a coincidence.
One certainly has to wonder if the movie studio’s interest in continuing the franchise may have inspired the author to write this new book.
All the more reason to assume the rights have already been sewn up.