Lionsgate has unveiled the first trailer for “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the reaping,” offering a first look at Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch Abernathy. The film, slated for release on November 20, 2026, delves into the backstory of the fan-favorite character and expands the world of Panem.”Sunrise on the Reaping” is based on the forthcoming 2025 novel of the same name and is set 24 years before the events of the original “Hunger Games” trilogy. The story centers on Haymitch’s participation in the 50th Hunger Games, a special Quarter Quell edition where each district must submit twice the usual number of tributes – totaling 48 children competing for survival.This installment promises to reveal the origins of Haymitch’s cynicism and skills, shaped by the brutal experience.
The trailer marks the first public glimpse of Zada in the role previously embodied by Woody Harrelson. Alongside Zada, the film boasts a star-studded cast including Elle Fanning as a young Effie Trinket (originally played by Elizabeth Banks), Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow (previously Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth), and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman (formerly Stanley Tucci). Jesse Plemons will portray a younger Plutarch heavensbee (originally Philip Seymour Hoffman), with additional cast members Kelvin Harrison jr., Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, Mckenna Grace, Billy Porter, Whitney Peak, Ben Wang, Molly McCann, Iona Bell, and Percy Daggs IV.Francis Lawrence returns to direct, with a screenplay penned by Billy Ray.Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson are producing the film.
