MUMBAI: Lionsgate and Universal Republic have inked a sweeping partnership on the soundtrack to the Lionsgate motion picture event The Hunger Games, which will be in theaters everywhere on 23 March, 2012.

Unlike typical soundtracks, this collection will not only include music being recorded by major artists for inclusion in the film, but a series of companion recordings that will feature new songs directly influenced by the themes and subject matter of The Hunger Games, all recorded by some of music’s most successful and acclaimed artists.

Lionsgate head of music Tracy McKnight said, "We are absolutely thrilled to be joining forces with Universal Republic. There is a tremendous opportunity for us to draw from so many different musical genres with this soundtrack. The setting for The Hunger Games ranges from what could be perceived as the rural Southern part of the U.S. all the way to the most advanced metropolis imaginable, and it all takes place in a vividly imagined future. The list of artists that could participate, and the opportunities for them to write and record, are really unlimited."

The film’s Executive Music Producer and co-composer T Bone Burnett will produce many of these recordings, and will oversee all production. It was previously announced that Burnett will be collaborating with composer Danny Elfman on the film’s score, which will also be released by Universal Republic.

"The Hunger Games is a highly imaginative and thrilling narrative that combines edginess, raw emotion and themes of freedom. And these are the same qualities we will be considering as we start building this innovative new music collection. We are not only looking for great music, but a diverse array of music that speaks to the universal themes of the movie," said Universal Republic Records president and CEO Monte Lipman.