Smashing Pumpkins Release Song for Hunger Games Film
The rock band recorded the original track Black Stars for the upcoming Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping soundtrack.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Science Fiction
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The Smashing Pumpkins have officially released their new song Black Stars as part of the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The track, produced by Butch Vig, is one of 29 songs featured on the upcoming album.
Why it matters
The band accepted an invitation to contribute an original song for the high-profile film project. This release marks a return to collaboration with Butch Vig, who previously worked with the group in 1993.
The soundtrack features a total of 29 different artists. The band recorded the track at Chaplin Studios in Los Angeles and at a secondary studio in Chicago.
The players
The Smashing Pumpkins
The American rock band consists of members Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin.
Butch Vig
He is a prominent record producer who produced the track Black Stars and previously collaborated with the band.
The details
Billy Corgan invited producer Butch Vig to assist in selecting and finalizing the song for the movie. The band members Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin collaborated to complete the recording for the film's soundtrack.
Timeline
1993: The Smashing Pumpkins previously worked with producer Butch Vig.
November 13, 2026: The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping album release.
November 20, 2026: The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping movie release.
Industry Dynamics
The track follows the established franchise tradition of integrating major alternative rock acts into the soundscape of its cinematic universe. This move underscores the ongoing strategy of leveraging high-profile musical collaborations to build anticipation for major film releases.
Fans can look for the track across major digital streaming platforms ahead of the full album release in November. The song serves as a direct preview of the music slated for the upcoming Hunger Games film release.
The takeaway
Musical collaborations with legacy rock bands remain a core strategy for building hype around major cinematic adaptations. Listeners can anticipate a broad variety of musical styles when the complete 29-artist soundtrack is unveiled next month.
What happens next
The full soundtrack album is scheduled for release on November 13, 2026, followed by the theatrical release of the movie on November 20, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more developments in the Science Fiction landscape regarding major film and music crossovers.
Live Poll
Do you enjoy when blockbuster film soundtracks feature new music from established rock bands?
