Sunrise on the Reaping: Everything we know about the Hunger Games prequel (and who's playing a yo...

Sunrise on the Reaping: Everything we know about the Hunger Games prequel (and who's playing a young Haymitch) The hit franchise returns to theaters on Nov. 20, 2026. By Allison DeGrushe :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/allisondegrusheEWbiophotoe5f8e89253c84b7085a43c502a3051a4.jpg) Allison DeGrushe Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at . She has been working at since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify. EW's editorial guidelines on November 20, 2025 2:57 p.m.

Sunrise on the Reaping: Everything we know about the Hunger Games prequel (and who's playing a young Haymitch)

The hit franchise returns to theaters on Nov. 20, 2026.

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at **. She has been working at * *since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify.

EW's editorial guidelines

on November 20, 2025 2:57 p.m. ET

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Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch Abernathy in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'. Credit:

- *The Hunger Games: Sunrise of the Reaping *explores a young Haymitch Abernathy's victory in the 50th Hunger Games.

- Joseph Zada stars as Haymitch, with Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, and Jesse Plemons rounding out the cast.

- The prequel is set to hit theaters on Nov. 20, 2026.**

Lionsgate is all in on Suzanne Collins' return to Panem.

Her latest book in the *Hunger Games *series, *Sunrise on the Reaping*, only hit bookshelves in March, but the studio's film adaptation is well underway and slated for a 2026 release. Francis Lawrence, who helmed four of the five *Hunger Games* films, will direct.**

For years, fans have been encouraging* *Collins to dig deeper into the backstories of the story's vast ensemble, and *Sunrise on the Reaping *does exactly that.

The prequel traces the origins of Haymitch Abernathy, the prickly District 12 mentor played by Woody Harrelson in the original films. In his youth, Haymitch won the 50th Hunger Games, and Collins' story shows how the ordeal helped turn him into the drunken, battle-scarred grump we know.

Here's everything we know about *Sunrise on the Reaping*, including who's playing young Haymitch, what we can glean from its first trailer, and when it's coming out.

What is *Sunrise on the Reaping *about?

Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird and Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'.

*Sunrise on the Reaping *is a prequel to the original *Hunger Games *trilogy. It's also a sequel to *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, *Collins' story about a young Coriolanus Snow, the future Panem dictator. Set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen first stepped into the arena, *Sunrise* follows a teen Haymitch as he competes in the 50th annual games, a.k.a. the second Quarter Quell.

This special edition of the games sees twice as many tributes being chosen from each district (two boys and two girls), meaning 48 total participants are forced to fight to the death.

'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' trailer teases first look at Panem's most brutal challenge, Haymitch's origin story

'Sunrise on the Reaping' cast and character guide: Meet the stars rounding out Haymitch's origin story

Beyond the games, *Sunrise* digs into Haymitch's personal life, including his relationship with girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird. All of it works to explain how this young, bright-eyed warrior grew into the cynical, isolated mentor from the original trilogy.

"With *Sunrise on the Reaping*, I was inspired by [philosopher] David Hume's idea of implicit submission and, in his words, 'the easiness with which the many are governed by the few,'" Collins said in a statement at the time. "The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question 'Real or not real?' seems more pressing to me every day."

Is there a *Sunrise on the Reaping *trailer?

The 50th annual Hunger Games cornucopia in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'.

The official teaser trailer for *Sunrise on the Reaping *dropped on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 — exactly one year before the film hits theaters.

It opens with the District 12 reaping, offering fans their first look at an unrecognizable Glenn Close as the sinister Drusilla Sickle. "Welcome, Panem, to the glorious reaping of District 12!" she declares with a wicked smile. "Twice the number of tributes, twice the glory. It's time for the second Quarter Quell. Let the 50th Hunger Games begin!"

The trailer then cuts to the cornucopia, with all 48 tributes lined up in a colorful field as the countdown begins. Quick shots of the games are interspersed with glimpses of younger versions of familiar characters like Haymitch (Joseph Zada), Plutarch Heavensbee (Jesse Plemons), and Effie Trinket (Elle Fanning). We also get a brief look at Ralph Fiennes as the ruthless President Snow.

In a twist, the teaser also includes narration from Harrelson: "I think these games are gonna be different," he says as a young Haymitch gazes upon an erupting volcano.

Who's in the *Sunrise on the Reaping *cast?

Ralph Fiennes as President Snow in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'.

In April 2025, Lionsgate announced that Zada (*We Were Liars*) would play a young Haymitch Abernathy. He'll star alongside Whitney Peak (*Gossip Girl*), who plays Haymitch's girlfriend Lenore.

Rising star Mckenna Grace (*Ghostbusters: Afterlife*) will appear as Maysilee Donner, a fellow District 12 tribute with an important connection to the Mockingjay pin that will later inspire Katniss. Ben Wang (*The Long Walk*) portrays Wyatt Callow, the second male tribute from District 12. Wyatt's family is infamous for organizing bets tied to the games.

Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'.

The stacked cast also includes the Oscar-nominated Fiennes (*Conclave*) as President Coriolanus Snow, a role previously played by Donald Sutherland in the *Hunger Games* trilogy and Tom Blyth in the *Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes*.

Plemons, the *Friday Night Lights* alum who recently headlined *Bugonia*, will portray a young Plutarch Heavensbee, originally played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Oscar winner Kieran Culkin plays a young Caesar Flickerman, the eccentric host played by Stanley Tucci in the original films. And Fanning steps into the heels a young Effie Trinket, first brought to life by Elizabeth Banks.

*Sunrise* will also fold in some new characters, including Close's Drusilla, the escort for District 12 tributes, and her stylist husband Magno Stift, played by Emmy-winning *Pose* actor Billy Porter.

Rounding out the ensemble are Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Kara Tointon, Iris Apatow, Edvin Ryding, Molly McCann, Laura Marcus, Iona Bell, Jefferson White, and Percy Daggs IV.

When does* Sunrise on the Reaping *come out?

Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner and Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'.

*Sunrise on the Reaping *is currently slated to hit theaters on Nov. 20, 2026.

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Source: Movies

Published: November 23, 2025 at 11:38AM on Source: MARIO MAG

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