The world of the Hunger Games offers cruelty in spades, and the Quarter Quell never lets it go forgotten. A quarter-century anniversary marking the districts’ defeat by the Capitol during the Dark Days, it brings a twist to the reaping process and, in some cases, the arena — and nobody knows that better than Haymitch Abernathy.
Katniss’ mentor will be the focus of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, set to introduce a younger version of the character. Stepping into this role is Joseph Zada (Invisible Boys), who takes over the reins from Woody Harrelson in the film trilogy, and Lionsgate has unveiled a new teaser that gives a first look at his portrayal, alongside hints of the dystopian despair to come.
Counting down from 10, it opens with Haymitch being chosen as a tribute for the 50th Hunger Games, otherwise known as the Second Quarter Quell, joined by younger iterations of familiar faces like Plutarch Heavensbee (Jesse Plemons), President Snow (Ralph Fiennes), and Effie Trinket (Elle Fanning). “I think these games are gonna be different,” he says at one point, and well, that’s quite the understatement.
Instead of the usual 24, the prequel film sees 48 tributes gearing up for a fight to the death, including Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird (Whitney Peak), and District 12 pair Wyatt Callow (Ben Wang) and Maysilee Donner (Mckenna Grace). Other cast members include Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Kieran Culkin as a young Caesar Flickerman, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Lili Taylor as Mags, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Billy Porter as Magno Stift, Iris Apatow as Proserpina, and more.
Francis Lawrence, who has directed every theatrical release since 2012’s Catching Fire, is back at the helm, with Billy Ray penning the screenplay. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson serve as producers, alongside Cameron MacConomy as executive producer.
Based on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, Sunrise on the Reaping is set before the original Hunger Games trilogy, opening on the 50th Hunger Games — the violent, bloody Second Quarter Quell that formed a defining chapter in Haymitch’s story. Jennifer Lawrence led the first five movies as Katniss Everdeen, while Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth starred in the President Snow-centric prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in cinemas on 20 November 2026.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
