One of the lingering questions from Lionsgate’s hugely successful adaptations of The Hunger Games is “How did Haymitch become such a cynical bastard, anyway?” Readers of Suzanne Collins’ novels already know the answer, but fans of the films will find out when The Hunger Games: Sunrise On the Reaping arrives exactly one year from today.
Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The story centers on 16-year-old Haymitch, a clever and resourceful boy from District 12, who’s unexpectedly chosen for this edition of the games, which will feature a deadly twist: twice the number of tributes, with 48 children sent into the arena to battle for their lives.
Joseph Zada stars as young Haymitch Abernathy, played as an adult in previous films by Woody Harrelson. Also in the cast are Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, McKenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow, Billy Porter as Magno Stift, Iris Apatow as Proserpina Trinket, Lily Taylor as Mags Flanagan, and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman.
Francis Lawrence returns to direct, having shepherded this franchise since 2013’s Catching Fire. Screenwriter Billy Ray also returns, having penned the original adaptation.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise On the Reaping hits theaters November 20th 2026.
