The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – Trailer Breakdown & What to Expect From Young Haymitch’s Origin Story

The long-awaited prequel The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has officially unveiled its first teaser trailer, and fans of the franchise are already buzzing with excitement. The new film takes viewers back twenty-four years before the events of the original trilogy to explore the deadly 50th Hunger Games — also known as the Second Quarter Quell — and the rise of young Haymitch Abernathy.

Set to hit theaters on November 20, 2026, the prequel promises a darker, more explosive chapter as it expands Suzanne Collins’ dystopian universe with new characters, new threats, and a deeper look into the Capitol's brutal history.

Whitney Peak and Joseph Zada in a scene from "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." (Murray Close/Lionsgate)

A First Look at Young Haymitch Abernathy

Haymitch Abernathy, famously portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original films, now takes center stage in his own origin story. Rising actor Joseph Zada steps into the role for the prequel, capturing the character in his youth long before he became the cynical yet sharp mentor to Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.

Sunrise on the Reaping begins on the morning of the reaping ceremony for the 50th Hunger Games — a deadly event in which the Capitol doubles the number of tributes. The intensity of the trailer suggests a brutal arena, a higher body count, and the emotional trauma that shaped Haymitch into the hardened victor we eventually came to know.

A Star-Studded Ensemble Cast

The new film expands the cast with an impressive lineup of talent, including:

• Whitney Peak

• Mckenna Grace

• Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee

• Maya Hawke

• Elle Fanning as young Effie Trinket

• Kelvin Harrison Jr.

• Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman

• Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle

• Billy Porter

One of the standout casting choices is Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow. This makes him the third actor to portray the infamous Panem leader, following Tom Blyth in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and the late Donald Sutherland, who defined the character in the original franchise (2012–2015).

Sutherland passed away in June 2024 at age 88, making this a poignant moment for longtime fans of the series.

A Return to the Franchise’s Signature Style

From the first trailer, Sunrise on the Reaping presents a unique aesthetic that blends the retro stylings of the 1970s with the chilling dystopian atmosphere Panem is known for.

The trailer hints at:

• A gritty, more grounded arena

• Expanded Capitol worldbuilding

• High-stakes emotional storytelling

• A deeper look at the political manipulation behind the Games

This visual approach feels simultaneously nostalgic and fresh — a deliberate choice that sets the tone for this era of Panem.

Francis Lawrence Returns to Direct

Director Francis Lawrence, who helmed Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 & 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, returns once more for his fifth film in the franchise.

His consistent involvement has helped define the visual and emotional identity of The Hunger Games, making him a fan-favorite choice to bring this new prequel to life.

Sunrise on the Reaping is based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel of the same name. Interestingly, the book and screenplay were developed simultaneously, demonstrating Lionsgate’s strong confidence in this story and its importance to the expanded franchise.

Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy and Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. (Murray Close/Lionsgate)

The Deadly 50th Hunger Games (Second Quarter Quell)

The Second Quarter Quell has been part of franchise lore since the early films but was never fully explored on screen — until now.

Key elements expected from this Games:

• Double the tributes

• More violent arena traps

• Increased Capitol interference

• Higher mortality stakes

• Haymitch’s defining moment as a victor

Fans familiar with the books know that Haymitch’s Games were some of the most brutal in history, shaping his lifelong disdain for the Capitol. This film will finally depict those events in full detail.

Why This Prequel Matters for the Franchise

Sunrise on the Reaping represents more than just a character study — it expands the political and emotional underpinnings of Panem. The film bridges gaps between the original trilogy and Songbirds & Snakes, giving fans a deeper understanding of:

• Capitol corruption

• The evolution of President Snow

• The psychological cost of the Games

• The origins of rebellion ideology

• How trauma shaped past victors

With a seasoned director, a talented ensemble cast, and a compelling source novel, the prequel is positioned to continue the franchise’s legacy of thoughtful, thrilling storytelling.Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.' MURRAY CLOSE/LIONSGATE

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Release Date

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens exclusively in theaters on November 20, 2026.

Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, this prequel promises to deliver one of the most emotionally powerful and action-packed stories in the Hunger Games universe.