Lionsgate
It’s been a whirlwind of announcements for fans of The Hunger Games franchise. The official Hunger Games Instagram account shared on June 7, 2024, that the author of the book series, Suzanne Collins is writing a NEW Hunger Games novel, the fifth instalment in the series, set to be released March 18, 2025 with a film to follow in 2026! The Hunger Games resurgence is well and truly alive thanks to the 2023 prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes starring Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler.
The official Hunger Games Instagram caption reads, “Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Pre-Order today!”
What Is The Plot Of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
The Lionsgate Motion Picture Group said, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit 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. One of the most eagerly awaited publishing events of the year, Sunrise on the Reaping will be published by Scholastic simultaneously in print, digital, and audio formats in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand on March 18, 2025.”
Fan theories are excitedly taking the internet by storm to welcome Haymitch Abernathy to the arena. The plot is anticipated to focus on Haymitch, the war-worn strategist portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the initial four films. His character, rightfully tormented by his past experiences in the arena, acts as a mentor to the heroine Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence). Fans are excited for this new second prequel in the series to focus on Haymitch’s story and troubling past that led him to be the character he is in the first four films.
One fan commented on the official announcement post and said, “i’m seated. the theatre employees are scared and asking me to leave because “it’s not even 2026 yet” but i’m simply too seated.” While another said, “DONT BE SHY TELL US WHOS PLAYING HAYMITCH.”
According to AP News, Suzanne Collins shared in a statement, “With ‘Sunrise on the Reaping,’ I was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few,’” The beloved author said. “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.”
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Cast
Which emerging male actor would convincingly portray a younger, less jaded Haymitch? The studio has yet to release casting details, but perhaps a relatively unknown newcomer will step into the spotlight and gain a cult film fan following. Or popular male stars currently in the spotlight like Austin Butler, Harris Dickinson, Nicholas Galitzine, Jacob Elordi, or Lukas Gage. Your guess is as good as ours, now if only we could get inside that casting room.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Release Date
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – will be in theatres in North America on November 20, 2026. May the odds be ever in our favour for the two-year wait, and an official Aussie release date.
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