Why Hunger Games fans are so excited about new movie Sunrise on the Reaping
Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games franchise is returning to cinema screens next year with a new film, Sunrise on the Reaping.
The dystopian blockbuster will be set 24 years before the events of the original series, and will centre on the Hunger Games that Katniss Everdeen's (Jennifer Lawrence) mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) took part in.
The prequel will be based on Collins' book of the same name, which became an instant bestseller upon its release this March. So why are fans so excited about this project in particular? Here's everything you need to know.
Let's start with the obvious, and that's the fact that the upcoming film will focus on a young Haymitch, who will be portrayed by Invisible Boys star Joseph Zada. The character is a stalwart fan favourite thanks to his close connection to Katniss, as well as his sharp wit and penchant for sarcasm.
As Katniss and Peeta Mellark's (Josh Hutcherson) mentor readers, and viewers, learned a lot about Haymith over the course of the Hunger Games trilogy. Hints of the events of the Second Quarter Quell were revealed in the narrative, such as the fact double the amount of tributes were sent into the Hunger Games arena and that Haymith was the sole survivor.
The character was brought to life brilliantly by Harrelson in the Hunger Games movies as he perfectly embodied his gruff yet loveable demeanour. Zada's casting as the younger Haymitch has been warmly received by Hunger Games fans. Whitney Peak will play his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird, while Mckenna Grace will play fellow tribute Maysilee Donner.
Readers and viewers grew a strong emotional attachment to Haymitch, so it is a smart move to focus on him after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Even The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes star Rachel Zegler has commented on it. Sharing a post on X in 2021, Zegler wrote: "girls don't want boys. girls want suzanne collins to release a haymitch abernathy origin trilogy".
Following the news of the new book and movie she then retweeted the post and said in addition: "you're welcome guys".
Speaking of Zegler, it is worth also bringing up the first Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes which told the story of a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) and his time as mentor to Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler).
The book and its corresponding film helped to reignite fans's passion for the Hunger Games franchise, and brought a story that had a connection to Katniss but felt refreshing and new. With interest in the world that Collins created back in full force, it makes sense that the author would want to capitalise on that too.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes proved a slow burn at the box office, not reaching the same highs as the Hunger Games trilogy but still having a remarkable staying power in cinemas. The film earned over $300m worldwide, but given its smaller budget it was a win for studio Lionsgate.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to be released in cinemas on 20 November 2026.
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