MUMBAI: Lionsgate and Buena Vista International (BVI) have joined hands on the theatrical release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, the fourth installment of the global blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, in Russia and the rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) later this year.

BVI will launch Mockingjay 2 on 19 November in all available formats including Imax 3D as part of the film's day-and-date global rollout.

"Mockingjay 2 is the next thrilling chapter of an incredible global franchise, and we look forward to creating a singular motion picture event for Russian audiences. We're delighted to extend our partnership with our friends at Lionsgate on one of the most highly anticipated films of the year," said BVI international distribution executive David Kornblum.

"We're thrilled to capitalize on the opportunity to extend our long and successful relationship with the BVI team around the world. Their prestige, performance and consistency speak for themselves.  We look forward to creating an epic and memorable Mockingjay 2 launch for our Russian fans, and BVI is the perfect partner to help us bring The Hunger Games franchise to the next level of performance," added Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chair Patrick Wachsberger

Lionsgate's Summit Entertainment label has previously partnered with BVI on the Japanese release of the action thriller Red, the release of the Step Up franchise in Japan and Spain and the Japanese releases of Source Code and Tree of Life.

The first three installments of The Hunger Games franchise have already grossed more than $2.3 billion at the global box office, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the tenth highest-grossing domestic release of all time. The Hunger Games trilogy of books has already sold more than 82 million copies around the world.

The Lionsgate and Summit labels will continue their theatrical output deals with West Company and Central Partnership, respectively, for the rest of their theatrical slates in Russia and the CIS.