The world of Panem is opening its gates once more. With the announcement of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Lionsgate and author Suzanne Collins are taking audiences back to the roots of rebellion—this time through the eyes of a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy. After the critical and commercial success of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, expectations are high for the latest prequel set decades before Katniss Everdeen ever volunteered as tribute.
For longtime fans and newcomers alike, here’s everything we know about the upcoming book and film adaptation of Sunrise on the Reaping.
A return to the second quarter quell
Unlike previous entries that focused on Katniss or Coriolanus Snow, Sunrise on the Reaping centers on the 50th Hunger Games—also known as the Second Quarter Quell. This bloody and brutal iteration of the Games was referenced in the original trilogy as one of the most traumatic, especially for its sole victor, Haymitch Abernathy.
The story begins in District 12, where young Haymitch lives with his mother and younger brother. When he is chosen as a tribute for the Quarter Quell—a Games designed to be twice as punishing—Haymitch is thrown into an arena that will shape his future as both a victor and a deeply haunted man. For fans who only knew Haymitch as the cynical mentor with a drink in his hand, this prequel promises to unveil the pain, ingenuity, and grit that made him a survivor.
“The Second Quarter Quell is legendary and looms large over the history of the Games,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “Like fans around the globe, we are eagerly anticipating this exciting return to Panem.”
From page to screen: Release dates set
Suzanne Collins’ fifth novel in the Hunger Games franchise, Sunrise on the Reaping, was officially released on March 18, 2025. The book’s launch was met with immediate enthusiasm, topping bestseller charts and reigniting excitement in Panem’s dystopian universe.
The film adaptation, directed by Hunger Games veteran Francis Lawrence, is scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 20, 2026. Lawrence previously directed three of the original four films as well as The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, making him a trusted hand to guide this next installment. Given the franchise’s cinematic legacy, fans can expect another visually rich, emotionally intense experience when Sunrise on the Reaping hits the big screen.
Meet the new tributes of District 12
At the heart of this prequel is its young cast, led by Australian newcomer Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy. This breakout role places Zada in the spotlight, tasked with portraying a character whose future is already deeply familiar to fans but whose origin story remains largely unexplored.
Joining him is Whitney Peak (Gossip Girl, Hocus Pocus 2) as Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend and fellow tribute. Their bond adds emotional weight to the story, as their fates become entwined inside the arena. Mckenna Grace (The Handmaid’s Tale, Gifted) takes on the role of Maysilee Donner, another District 12 tribute who becomes Haymitch’s key ally. Readers of the original books will recognize her name from a pivotal moment in Haymitch’s backstory. Grace’s reputation for portraying emotionally complex young characters makes her an ideal choice for this critical role.
A capitol of familiar and new faces
The supporting cast is equally impressive. Emmy nominee Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog, Breaking Bad) will portray Plutarch Heavensbee, here seen as a rising Capitol strategist long before becoming Head Gamemaker in Katniss’s era. This earlier version of Plutarch may offer insight into how power and survival shaped his future loyalties.
Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, is stepping into the role of Wiress, a character known for her cryptic brilliance in Catching Fire. In Sunrise on the Reaping, fans will likely see a younger, perhaps more lucid Wiress, laying the foundation for her eventual role in the rebellion.
In a powerful casting move, Ralph Fiennes—best known for playing Voldemort in the Harry Potter series—will portray President Snow, now 58 years old. His presence suggests that political manipulation and cruelty will play a prominent role, even if Coriolanus Snow is no longer a central protagonist.
Also joining the cast are Molly McCann as Louella, Iona Bell as Lou Lou, and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, the flamboyant host of the Games. Culkin’s casting brings a sharper edge to the Capitol’s media machine, reflecting how the Games are both spectacle and weapon.
Why this prequel matters
While The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes focused on the rise of tyranny, Sunrise on the Reaping shifts focus back to the Games themselves—and the emotional and moral toll they inflict. By placing Haymitch at the center, the story re-examines themes of trauma, resistance, and sacrifice through the eyes of a character who straddles the line between defiance and despair.
Haymitch’s arc in the original series always hinted at a devastating past. Now, that past becomes the present, inviting viewers to witness the full brutality of the Capitol’s control—and the seeds of rebellion sown long before Katniss picked up a bow.
With a compelling cast, a seasoned director, and a narrative that bridges generations of Panem history, Sunrise on the Reaping promises to be both a thrilling spectacle and a poignant character study.
