The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping first trailer brings Panem back to life

The latest trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, released by Lionsgate, offers the first official look at the highly anticipated prequel set decades before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2026.

Unveiled one year ahead of its premiere, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping's teaser opens on the morning of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell, as young Haymitch Abernathy prepares for the reaping. Joseph Zada takes on the role previously portrayed by Woody Harrelson, offering an early glimpse of Haymitch long before his time as a mentor in the original series.

The preview includes brief arena sequences, shots of Capitol-controlled obstacles, and hints of Haymitch’s early resistance. In one moment, older Haymitch states:

“I think these games are gonna be different.”

The line hints at the unique turns, making the Second Quarter Quill a standout version of the Games. Although the preview reveals little in terms of story, it clearly shows that the focus lies on Haymitch’s past, along with the moments that shaped who he is.

---

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping's plot and setting

Adapted from Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping revisits Panem during a period predating the rise of the Mockingjay.

The story follows Haymitch as he forms alliances, confronts loss, and navigates the Capitol’s orchestrated violence. His partnership with fellow District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner (McKenna Grace) serves as a focal point, expanding viewers’ understanding of the political climate and the evolution of the Games.

In an interview with Teen Vogue, casting director Debra Zane discussed the early development timeline, noting that the production process began before the team had access to the completed novel:

“Nina Jacobson, the producer, gave us several months’ notice that Sunrise on the Reaping would be released in the spring and that pre-production would be underway before we even had access to the story. For the first eight weeks, we didn’t have access to the book. We knew it was Haymitch’s origin story, but we didn’t have more than that.”

Dylan Jury also added:

''We had general info and knew which characters would be seen [as] younger, so we could imagine without needing the book yet. But once we got the book and script together, it was a tidal wave of helpful information [so] that we could really veer in on who actors should be.”

Co-casting director Dylan Jury described the process of casting choices:

“Typically, casting a feature film takes about 10 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer if there's a search, like for a kid. On this project, we had an unusual eight-week stretch working without a script, just minimal character descriptions. We were mostly focused on Haymitch — having actors send in improvisational self-tapes, pretending they were being interviewed by Caesar Flickerman, or acting in the woods.”

---

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping: Cast and production

A still from the movie (Image via YouTube/ Lionsgate Movies)

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping features an extensive ensemble cast, including Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Billy Porter, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Whitney Peak, and Ben Wang. Joseph Zada leads the project as Haymitch Abernathy.

Zane noted the immediate on-screen compatibility between Zada and Whitney Peak, who portrays Lenore Dove:

“When we saw her and Joe together. That was probably at the clearest moment. We do so much on Zoom, but we did have an opportunity to see them together [in person]. We were shooting them on an iPhone and Dylan was operating the iPhone and I was peeking over his shoulder into the screen and could just… it was really like, Oof. You know?!”

Francis Lawrence returns to direct, with Billy Ray writing the screenplay. Producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson oversee the project for Color Force, alongside executive producer Cameron MacConomy.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to arrive in theaters on November 20, 2026.

---

Also read: Sunrise on the Reaping cast & characters: Meet the stars behind the film and the roles they play

Edited by Toshali Kritika