Before Suzanne Collins even wrapped up her latest novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, Lionsgate wasted no time announcing its big-screen adaptation.
“Suzanne Collins is a storytelling genius and continues to be our guiding force,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, in a June 2024 press release. “We’re incredibly lucky to work with someone whose vision is endlessly compelling.”
Sunrise on the Reaping has officially hit bookstore shelves, and Hunger Games fans won’t have to wait too long — the movie is slated for a theatrical release on November 20, 2026. This fifth installment will take us back to Panem during the 50th annual Hunger Games, where a young Haymitch Abernathy — Katniss Everdeen’s future mentor — finds himself thrown into the arena.
In April 2025, Lionsgate confirmed Joseph Zada will take on the role of Haymitch, while Whitney Peak will play his partner, Lenore Dove Baird.
What to Expect from Sunrise on the Reaping
The story, adapted from Collins’ novel of the same name, is set two dozen years before the events of the original 2008 Hunger Games. This time, viewers will witness the brutality of the Second Quarter Quell — a special edition of the Games where each district must send four tributes instead of two, doubling the danger and chaos.
Haymitch hails from District 12, joined by a tight-knit friend he views as a sister, a quirky oddsmaker, and the town’s most outspoken girl. Through these characters, the narrative paints a vivid picture of survival, loyalty, and rebellion.
An exclusive excerpt reveals the film will also dive deeper into Haymitch’s emotional connection with Lenore Dove, adding a romantic layer to the intense storyline.
“Sparking this story was David Hume’s concept of implicit submission — how easily the masses are ruled by a few,” Collins said. “It naturally opened up a chance to explore propaganda and the manipulation of truth. The phrase ‘Real or not real?’ feels more urgent than ever.”
Behind the Scenes and Cast Highlights
After the full novel release, fans can explore the depth of Sunrise on the Reaping well before the movie drops.
Alongside Zada and Peak, McKenna Grace is set to portray Maysilee Donner, another District 12 tribute and one of Haymitch’s closest allies. “The Hunger Games franchise has always been a launchpad for exceptional talent,” said Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group. “Jo and Whitney embody that legacy with passion and authenticity.”
Director Francis Lawrence, who has helmed several entries in the franchise — including Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 & 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes — will return once again. In late 2024, Lawrence mentioned how finding a young Haymitch was a challenge similar to casting a young President Snow.
“It’s not about impersonation,” he told ComicBook. “You need to find someone with the same charm, intelligence, and darkness that made Woody Harrelson’s performance unforgettable.”
Screenwriter Billy Ray is also coming back to the franchise, bringing the same gripping tension he crafted in the original 2012 film.
Production is expected to kick off in 2025, bringing fans one step closer to witnessing the unforgettable story of Sunrise on the Reaping come to life.
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Source: www.people.com
