Forget 'The Hunger Games,' This 4-Part Dystopian Sci-Fi Officially Deserves Its Own Adaptation

Published Sep 21, 2026, 6:41 PM EDT Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics. The Hunger Games is the quintessential dystopian adaptation and is still going strong today, with Suzanne Collins' most recent prequel novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, now becoming a highly anticipated film itself. However, many more books in the genre deserve to come to the screen. Over a decade ago, dystopian stories gained popularity in literature and were then adapted into movies, but recently, TV has taken the lead, with The Last of Us, Silo, and Fallout among the most notable ongoing examples. Published in 2011, Marie Lu's Legend is the first in a four-part series about two unlikely teen heroes working against a corrupt government. The YA book series is not only perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, but it has become popular in its own right. While previous attempts to adapt it have failed, its compelling characters and shocking twists could enable Legend to become a compelling TV series in its own right. What Is 'Legend' About? Legend's story introduces a world destroyed by floods and wars over limited resources, which divided the U.S. into two warring countries: the Republic and the Colonies. In a dystopian version of Los Angeles, where social classes are divided, children must take a comprehensive test at age ten to determine their futures. Against this backdrop, Legend follows two protagonists: June, a young military prodigy, and Day, a wanted criminal who has successfully evaded authorities. Though most of Day's family believes him dead, he secretly works with his older brother to help them however he can, especially when his younger brother, Eden, is infected with the Plague that periodically spreads in the city's poor sectors. However, Day's mission to steal medication from the hospital sets him on a dangerous path. The morning after Day's break-in, one of the hospital guards is killed, and all signs point to Day, who was the last to see him alive. This tragedy unexpectedly links Day and June, as June becomes determined to capture the mysterious criminal and avenge someone close to her. When June ultimately tracks Day down, both characters uncover the truth about their pasts and what their respective leaders are capable of. With multiple twists and dangerous stakes, Legend never has a dull moment, which is exactly why it deserves to join the list of upcoming book-to-TV adaptations. 'Legend' Has Almost Come to the Screen Before Since Legend's initial publication, an adaptation has been announced three separate times, and yet the story has never made it to screens. The book was first optioned around the time of its publication, and reportedly had a script before progress stalled. Then, another studio took over the rights in 2018, with a new writer attached to pen the script, but once again, the project never happened. As recently as 2021, Bound Entertainment acquired the rights, but progress has been slow, and in 2025, author Marie Lu described a film adaptation as being "put on the back burner." Although Legend could still get the adaptation it deserves, bringing it to life has already taken entirely too long. Yet, this 15-year delay could have one benefit. Given its expansive world and slowly unfolding story, the books are better suited to a TV adaptation, especially with streamers routinely creating big-budget series. As dystopian shows become more popular, producers are looking for more stories to tell. Legend is severely underrated, and a good adaptation could finally bring Lu's series the attention it has always deserved.