A new installment of hugely popular dystopian series, The Hunger Games, titled Sunrise on the Reaping, has hit stands and is heading to the silver screen.
Despite the hotly anticipated book only being released on March 18 of this year, the film adaptation for the story, which will be another prequel to the original trilogy, was picked up by film company Lionsgate in 2024.
“Suzanne Collins is a master storyteller and our creative north star,” the chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Adam Fogelson, said at the time. “We couldn’t be more fortunate than to be guided and trusted by a collaborator whose talent and imagination are so consistently brilliant.”
So what can fans expect from Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping? Everything to know about the next film is below including the popular fan casting theories.
What Is The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping About?
Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is a prequel to the original series from author Suzanne Collins and tells the story of one of our favourite characters from the trilogy, Haymitch.
Fans of the series will be familiar with Haymitch’s origins, given some details of his backstory have previously been revealed. Namely, that he’s only one of four District 12 victors in the history of the Hunger Games following Lucy Gray and preceding Katniss and Peter.
The novel and the movie dives into Haymitch’s journey through the Quarter Quell but also his true love.
The synopsis reads: “ As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.”
Sunrise On The Reaping Movie Release Date
The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping movie is being produced by Nina Jacobson, who worked on the films for the entire series and is due to release in cinemas in November 2026.
In unusual circumstance, news of the new film and book were announced at the same time, back in 2024, with both being worked on in tandem.
“I’ve never actually worked on an adaptation like this, where you’re so far ahead of the book, and yet people are waiting for it,” Jacobson told Variety.
“We had to do a whole secret thing where I went to her longtime agent’s house and read it. There was one copy of the book that lived at his house. I had to go have my turn. Francis [Lawrence, the director] went and had his turn. We were so thrilled.”
Sunrise On The Reaping Movie Cast
There’s no denying part of Haymitch’s fanbase is thanks to the brilliant portrayal by Woody Harrelson. With such big shoes to fill, who will play young Haymitch in the Sunrise On The Reaping film is a hot topic and one fans don’t have answers to…yet.
So far, fancasting has led to a few favourites for the role including Noah LaLonde of My Life With The Walter Boys, Rudy Pankow and Drew Starkey both from Outer Banks, Mike Faist of Challengers fame and our personal favourite, Damien Hardung from the Maxton Hall series.
Jacobson revealed that because of the secrecy around the unpublished book, casting for the role has been on hold.
“We haven’t even been able to read actors for fear that sides could leak! We’ve been holding our breath for a long time, but I think that what we’re looking for in that role is, you don’t want somebody who’s impersonating Woody, but you want somebody who very credibly feels like they could be a young version of this character, before the trauma and grief and rage that the fallout of the Games create.”
Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping
$16 at Amazon
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