The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping | Inside the New Movie

Published Oct 20, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT The cast and creators of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping reveal how Haymitch's tragic past connects the entire franchise. The Revolution Never Ends: How Sunrise On The Reaping Brings The Hunger Games Full Circle Before Katniss Everdeen entered the dystopian world of The Hunger Games, there was Haymitch Abernathy. District 12 has been home to stories of love, loss, survival, and unwanted triumph, but Haymitch’s story has always carried a particularly heartbreaking weight. First brought to life through the words of beloved author Suzanne Collins, Haymitch now has his own story brought to the big screen in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, with franchise director Francis Lawrence once again bringing Collins’ world to life. Haymitch Abernathy was first introduced as a District 12 victor who survived the horrific 50th Hunger Games. By the time audiences met him, he was a drunk, damaged, and seemingly broken individual, clearly still struggling with the trauma of the Games and events he endured in the Capitol. EXCLUSIVE: New The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Poster Revealed While Haymitch was initially presented as a difficult and seemingly cold character, Collins always left a deeper story beneath the surface. Sunrise on the Reaping finally brings that story to the forefront, showing exactly what made Haymitch the man audiences came to know. From seeing and reading about Haymitch as a damaged victor to finally witnessing the horrors that shaped him, Sunrise on the Reaping is a devastating look at one of The Hunger Games’ most beloved characters. Haymitch is forced to endure torture and brutality at the hands of President Snow and the Capitol, facing what is arguably one of the most brutal and heartbreaking Hunger Games in the franchise. For our Sunrise on the Reaping cover story, featuring all-new exclusive imagery, ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan spoke to director Francis Lawrence, producer Nina Jacobson, and the cast, including Joseph Zada (Haymitch Abernathy), Elle Fanning (Effie Trinket), McKenna Grace (Maysilee Donner), Whitney Peak (Lenore Dove Baird), Glenn Close (Drusilla Sickle), Jesse Plemons (Plutarch Heavensbee), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Beetee Latier), Ben Wang (Wyatt Callow), Percy Daggs IV (Ampert Latier), Edvin Ryding (Vitus), Iris Apatow (Proserpina Trinket), Billy Porter (Magno Stift), Molly McCann (Louella McCoy), Lili Taylor (Mags), and Maya Hawke (Wiress). Lawrence, Jacobson, and the cast discussed the upcoming installment in The Hunger Games movie empire, the legacy built by Collins’ dystopian novels, and what viewers can expect from Sunrise on the Reaping, including the individual characters and how the cast interpreted Collins' novel while paying homage to the actors who portrayed these characters in earlier films. How Sunrise On The Reaping Brings The Hunger Games Full Circle When speaking to ScreenRant, Lawrence discussed the moment author Collins called about Sunrise on the Reaping and how he and Nina Jacobson first read the manuscript: "Nina and I both got a call from Suzanne [Collins] that she had written a book, but she wouldn't tell us what it was about. And so we had to drive into the valley to her agent's office and go sit in his backyard and read the manuscript for the first time," stated Lawrence. As the filmmaker recalled that first reading, Lawrence explained how he quickly pieced together which character Collins had chosen to bring back into the spotlight. "I remember seeing the manuscript, and then there was a copy of Catching Fire on top with a little tagged section of the book where Katniss and Peeta go, and they watch Haymitch’s games in the archives. I was like, 'Oh, she wrote the Haymitch story.' Even from that moment, I was just really, really excited. Just the structure of the story, the characters, the nostalgia of bringing back young versions of all these other characters that we know and love, how emotional the story is, the sort of sweep and scope of it all, everything about it, I love." Lawrence went on to reveal just how much the novel meant to him, admitting, “It's definitely one of my favorite books in the franchise.” Many Hunger Games fans will likely understand that sentiment, with Sunrise on the Reaping offering a heartbreaking look at one of the franchise's most pivotal characters while adding new layers to a story audiences already know. Longtime franchise producer Nina Jacobson shared Lawrence's sentiments for Collins’ novel and the story of Haymitch. "I was just also so moved by how much it brought all of the books and movies together. From giving you this insight into who Haymitch was before the bitter, drunk, angry, cynical man that we meet at the beginning of the original film. Just to see how transformed he was by the games, but also just the emotional impact of realizing that the characters that we meet in Catching Fire, they have been trying to resist and trying to end the games," she stated. While reflecting on the events that came before Katniss became the face of the rebellion, Jacobson further explained the years of sacrifice that preceded her arrival. "It's been 24 years that they have been trying and failing until you get to Catching Fire, the 25th. But when Katniss comes around, to understand how much those characters had been through, how much they had sacrificed, and how long they had been trying to make a change and to see all of that come together on the one hand in terms of the aspirations of the resistance." That connection between the past and the future of Panem is a significant part of what makes Sunrise on the Reaping such an emotional addition to the franchise. While Haymitch's story stands on its own, it also provides a new perspective on the characters and the resistance that audiences have followed throughout the original films. Elle Fanning has joined the Hunger Games prequel as none other than Effie Trinket after years of fan casting wishes finally being met. While Fanning wanted to make the role her own, she also had to consider Elizabeth Banks' memorable portrayal of Effie in the original films. Effie Trinket, a Capitol citizen and the escort for District 12 tributes in the original films, has been a fan-favorite character, but also a true light in the seemingly never-ending sea of pain that is this dystopian world. Fanning paid tribute to Elizabeth Banks's original portrayal in a way that's been noticed by viewers in the marketing ahead of the movie’s release. When appearing for the interview with ScreenRant, the actress was adorned with butterflies, which Fanning herself stated was "obviously a nod to Elizabeth," and she further elaborated and said, "Our young Effie wears a great butterfly necklace as an homage." "I definitely felt the pressure coming into a big franchise like this. I have never come into quite as big of a franchise before. Following in the footsteps of what Elizabeth [Banks] had done was just amazing for me. And she had sent me flowers. She was so kind, and she really gave me her blessing and wanted me to make Effie my own, which I really appreciated and was so nice." Fanning was an obvious choice by fans for the role. The actress shared that she was "surprised" by how "kind of intimate" the production felt despite its enormous scale, crediting director Francis Lawrence for creating that atmosphere. "He's such an amazing leader and director. And even though it's massive and there's a thousand extras, and you're in these big arenas that they've created or these big just spaces, apartments on these stages, Francis somehow makes it feel like you're working with your friends, and you're being spontaneous, and you can ad-lib a lot." Fanning also revealed that Banks improvised some of Effie's most memorable lines, including "That is mahogany," adding to the pressure of stepping into the role. "She came up with those things on the spot. So I'm like, 'Ooh, the pressure's on.' And so there would be nights before that I would try to write things out and show them to Francis, and we'd try it," Fanning explained, revealing how she found opportunities to put her own spin on the beloved character. Jacobson is already preparing The Hunger Games fan base for an emotional experience, revealing just how deeply the story continues to affect her even after bringing it to the big screen. As she explained, "The whole series comes together in this book. I cried my eyes out, and I continue to cry my eyes out frequently when I watch the movie." The Hunger Games’ New Generation Found Their Own Voice For the new generation of actors stepping into Panem, the legacy of The Hunger Games is particularly meaningful. While Sunrise on the Reaping introduces audiences to younger versions of familiar characters, it also allows its new stars to bring their own interpretations to a world that has meant so much to fans for years. Grace, who plays fellow District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner, is a newcomer to the franchise but has been a longtime fan of Collins’ world. Speaking about how she came to join Sunrise on the Reaping, Grace made it clear that being part of the franchise was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. "I don't know who wouldn't want to be a part of the Hunger Games. It's a franchise that I hold very near and dear to my heart that I'm a huge fan of." That love for the franchise also influenced how Grace approached Maysilee, particularly when it came to finding ways to honor the fans who have kept The Hunger Games alive beyond the original books and movies. While preparing for the role, the actress drew inspiration from a fan film dating back to 2011, bringing one of its most recognizable details into the new movie. “The only thing that stuck out to me about Maysilee — it wasn't even in the book; it was the braid from the fan film. I did get the braid from the fan film into the movie. And I think that it's mentioned that Maysilee has curly hair in the book, but she has straight hair and bangs in the braid for the fan film in the movie.” While Grace is finding her own voice portraying a character readers already know from the novel, Zada faces a different challenge as he takes on Haymitch Abernathy. Woody Harrelson's portrayal of the character left a lasting impression on the franchise, meaning Zada had to find a way to honor that performance without simply trying to recreate it. Zada shared his excitement about joining The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, praising the people behind the movie and explaining why Haymitch was such an appealing role: "The cast was just incredible and everyone in every department, Francis and Nina. I met with them before and I just really, really wanted to work with them. And obviously, the character is just such a great story, and I loved Woody's portrayal of Haymitch. I wanted to see what my spin on that would be." I think the actors and the cast across the board are just really amazing. I'm excited for people to see Joe [Zada] in this part, which was such an enormous undertaking and a really taxing ask of him on every level. He, I thought, did an amazing job and was pretty graceful about the whole thing, as exhausted as he must have been from start to finish. ~ Jesse Plemons When speaking about Harrelson, the first to bring the complex character Haymitch to life, Zada shared some interesting insight provided by such a legendary actor. "I got to speak to Woody after, and he was just really interested in hearing about my experience, and I got to ask him [about] a bunch of stories because I obviously watched everything that he'd ever done leading up to it. So I had lots of questions, but he was listening and telling me stories, and it's lovely," stated the actor, stepping into some big shoes. When asked what advice Harrelson gave him, Zada, known for We Were Liars, shared, “He gave me a film. He gave me two films, but one that really stuck: he told me to watch Cool Hand Luke, the Paul Newman film. He just said that everything that he's ever done, he's trying to do that. And I was like, ‘That helped.’ It's a great performance." Before being reaped for the 50th Hunger Games, Haymitch had a life in District 12 and a relationship with Lenore Dove that would shape his future. One of the most important relationships in Haymitch's life is with Lenore Dove, whose memory remains with him during the 50th Hunger Games and long afterward. Whitney Peak spoke of her character and joining the franchise: "It was such a fantastic and fascinating world to be a part of and then to kind of be a character. I didn't have the pink hair or any of the capital stuff. She's kind of the most grounded character. I was just really excited about that and the challenge that it would be to tell their story." Meanwhile, Wang, who plays Wyatt Callow, found his own way into the character through the themes explored in Collins' original novel. Rather than simply accepting Haymitch's perspective on Wyatt as a cold and calculating individual, Wang was interested in the way the story challenges audiences to question the people telling it and the versions of events they choose to believe. "When I read the book, the thing that I really gravitated towards about Wyatt is that one of the central themes of the book is the idea of stories, how they're presented, why they're presented, and who's presenting them, and what's real about the story that they're telling. You see him [Wyatt] through the eyes of Haymitch as someone who's cold and calculating; he's a pariah of his community, but as you get to know him, you realize that he's more than that. At the end, one of the last things you see him do is something that's completely sort of irrational. It's completely an act of kindness. It comes from the heart, comes from the gut, doesn't come from the brain as you would expect. That contradiction was, as an actor, I'm like, that's interesting. I want to play that.” McCann plays Louella McCoy, a 12-year-old District 12 tribute forced to participate in the the deadly Hunger Games. When remembering how her casting announcement reached the fandom, the actress shared how "supportive" the response was and said, "They have such strong opinions as well, to do with the casting. They really have such a vision of who they want to see play these characters. And I like how the franchise really listens to their fans and tries to give them what they want." Louella is one of the youngest amongst the tributes, and McCann was a huge fan of the franchise before joining the cast. With such a complex role and a heartbreaking story, the actress shares her thoughts on the character's journey. "She's obviously scared as much as any of the rest of them, but she tries not to show her weakness in front of the Capitol. And I think that's a really important part of her that she doesn't want to come across as weak, and she wants to stay strong." Edvin Ryding, who plays Vitus, a member of Haymitch Abernathy's prep team alongside Proserpina Trinket, reflected on working with Elle Fanning: "I remember the first day we had together, just watching this character come to life in her hands was honestly a really remarkable thing to see. I confess to having a moment' is a line that really reminds me of that." Opposite Vitus is Proserpina, portrayed by Apatow, who shared how Effie "was just one of my favorite characters growing up. I loved all the books growing up. So when I read that this character existed, I was just excited to see it. And then getting an audition was so exciting, and I'm so glad it worked out." Ultimately, the new generation of The Hunger Games actors faces the challenge of balancing the expectations of a passionate fan base with the freedom to make these characters their own. From Grace incorporating a fan film's influence into Maysilee's appearance to Zada finding his own interpretation of Haymitch, Sunrise on the Reaping brings together the franchise's past and future. The Sparks of District 3 Carry A Powerful Legacy A beloved actress already known for tackling complex characters thrown into dangerous situations is none other than Maya Hawke, who is introduced in Sunrise on the Reaping as the character the fan base has grown familiar with, named Wiress. Speaking to ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender, the actress shares how she prepared for the role, while admitting to watching "all the movies again, mostly because I'll take any excuse to watch all the movies again." Wiress was a past Victor for District 3 and is introduced in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, known for her incredible intelligence, earning the nickname "Nuts" with her District partner Beetee Latier's nickname "Volts," provided by the character Johanna Mason. Hawke instantly praises the actress who first brought Wiress to the screen and says, "Amanda Plummer's performance stands out so much, and is really such a testament to the idea that there are no small parts, there are only small actors, because I was like, 'Whoa, she has so little screen time in this movie, and it's really what stayed with me'." Kelvin Harrison Jr., portraying a younger Beetee Latier who was originally portrayed by Jeffrey Wright in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. As "Volts" to Wiress' "Nuts," Beetee formed a formidable pair with his fellow District 3 victor. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Beetee is forced to witness his own son Ampert take part in the 50th Hunger Games. Harrison Jr. reflected on joining the franchise and taking over a role previously played by an actor he greatly admires: "I'm a big fan of Francis and I really wanted to work with him and the book is so fantastic. I was so excited that I had a connection to Jeffrey as well. So I felt nervous about whether or not I could do it justice, but then I was really moved by the opportunity to be able to take such wonderful work that he had done and carry it on," stated the actor. When asked how he approached playing Beetee without simply imitating Wright's performance, Harrison Jr. explained: "When I first met Francis, he was like, 'We're not doing impressions and stuff like that.' He was like, 'So I really want you to do your own thing.' But at the same time, I was like, 'Yeah, I don't want to do an impression, but I do want audiences that already have a relationship with this character to feel like it's familiar.' I don't want to completely rebuild," shared Harrison Jr.. "Jeffrey's literally one of my favorite actors of all time. You don't understand how much of a Jeffrey Wright fan I am. So it's just all been so surreal. The first time I worked with him was in 2016, and I was so terrified of him because he's so brilliant, he's so smart, and he's a real, obviously he's from the stage. And so there's this presence that he carries that feels otherworldly at times, and it's very overwhelming and intimidating when I was 21, when I first met him. I guess when you get old enough to actually understand who he is, and you can ask him questions, you start to build a little bit more of a mentor-mentee relationship." Having previously worked with Wright on Monster (2018), Harrison Jr. recalled reaching out to his former costar after being cast as the younger Beetee, sharing the text exchange between the two: "I think I text him first because I didn't want him to see it or his publicist to tell him, and he'd be like, 'Why didn't Kelvin just tell me this?' He says, 'Sweet. Congrats, Kelvin. Francis is great. Kind of incredible that he's now locked in with the Hungryan franchise. He's super low-key and understated, which is mind-blowing. Consider the scale of these films... you're going to enjoy.'" Beetee's son Ampert is reaped for the 50th Hunger Games, and Harrison Jr. discusses Daggs IV's portrayal of his character as "perfect, it's pitch perfect to me. So charming, so lovable, so smart, so warm, so wise beyond his years, and it's so heartbreaking." Daggs IV also shared his experience working with Harrison Jr. and said, "He's amazing. He came in and just immediately, with open, warm energy, was like, 'Hey, I'm Kelvin, and what's up man? It's nice to meet you.' And we just chopped it up for 30 to 45 minutes. We just talked about his experiences, his journey to get to where he is now and what that was like. He was giving me advice on things, and he was just so welcoming, just like everybody else in the cast." The Journey To Panem Forges A Rebellion Bringing a book to life is never an easy task, especially when a passionate fan base is watching every move made by the cast and crew. However, having fans who are already invested in the story can also be a blessing, particularly when it comes to casting beloved characters. That is the case for Plemons, who portrays a younger Plutarch Heavensbee before he becomes Head Gamemaker and one of the key figures in a long-fought rebellion. The character was originally portrayed by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, and now Plemons has the opportunity to bring his own interpretation to this pivotal figure in The Hunger Games franchise. Plemons prepared for the role by asking himself, "Can I find my way into this character in a way that's exciting to me?" Reflecting on his preparation, the actor explained that he watched the first few movies before reading the novel "and getting a little more context, getting a little more familiar with the story and the characters and the kind of terminology, which was like learning another language, that's when I really started to get excited and started to feel like I could see it." Who wouldn't want to be in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping? It's one of the great franchises ever. ~Glenn Close Although Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before the original The Hunger Games, Plemons was able to draw inspiration from the older Plutarch audiences already know. Reflecting on the character's evolution, the actor shared, "I got a sort of weariness from the Plutarch you meet in the films. And I think what was interesting is this is the beginning of the resistance. And as impossible as the sort of challenge seems to be, there's an enormous amount of hope and excitement that there is some movement." Meanwhile, Lili Taylor is bringing new life to Mags Flanagan, a character first introduced in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, where she was portrayed by Lynn Cohen. A former victor of the 11th Hunger Games, Mags is known for her selflessness, volunteering to take the place of a younger tribute despite being 80 years old. Although she rarely speaks in Catching Fire, her actions reveal the depth of her compassion, making her one of the franchise's most memorable supporting characters. Sunrise on the Reaping offers audiences a chance to see more of Mags' story and the experiences that helped shape her. The actress shared that meeting with director Lawrence "felt like I was at home" during the casting process. "I just knew I was with someone who wanted to make good art, who loved actors, who cared," Taylor shared. When discussing Mags in Sunrise on the Reaping, the actress said, "It's the beginning of the story, and so it's still kind of new, the Hunger Games. Mags has won, and now she is mentoring kids, and she is very empathetic, and I think she also knows she has to survive. I just felt like I was compartmentalizing a lot, because it's really hard to think through what you are mentoring them for." Billy Porter has also joined the franchise as Magno Stift, a character first introduced in Sunrise on the Reaping. Magno Stift is a stylist, and the vision for his wardrobe was a lot of snakeskin. Porter admitted he was nervous about working with a real snake, but insisted on using one rather than a fake: "Oh, the snake is God's creation too, or the universe's creation too, or whatever we believe in or don't believe in. It's here. Just like folks reject me because I'm gay, and they don't understand it, here I am doing this to the snake because I don't understand the snake. So how about I embrace the snake? How about I embrace the idea of the snake? It is a creation of the universe, and go in with honor and respect for the snake and not fear and rejection." As the lead stylist of the District 12 tributes, he interacts with another pivotal character within the prequel, and that is Drusilla Sickle (played by Close). Porter shared his thoughts on his costar as the two have a volatile estrangement during the novel by stating, "I want to be her when I grow up. She is the strongest, most energetic. It's just amazing." The legendary Close completely transformed for her role as Drusilla, the flamboyant escort of District 12 tributes. When speaking of her experience working with Lawrence, the actress shared: "It is a huge movie. For my first scene, the Reaping, I think there were 1000 people there between the cast, crew, and extras. We were filming at Tempelhof with two helicopters, a drone, and trucks. In the arena scene, we filmed with horses and the chariots. It's like, wow! Francis is wonderful because he's not panicked. He's calm. He’s kind. He's observant. And you feel like you're being very well taken care of. Collaboration is everything. Francis and Nina Jacobson have done this so many times together; you feel their excitement about what they're creating. They know how to create a company, and to make you feel like you're a welcome part of that company. And that's incredibly important." Sunrise On The Reaping Paves The Path For Freedom While The Hunger Games is set in a fictional dystopian world, Suzanne Collins' stories have always reflected real-world issues surrounding power, oppression, and resistance. Francis Lawrence and his team have brought Collins' novels to a broader audience through films that explore these themes while preserving the emotional weight of her stories. Asked how playing an early Capitol insider changed his perspective on the later Hunger Games, Edvin Ryding explained: "I think it has made the world that Suzanne Collins created more complex, if anything. It made me realize how different the Games look from the Capitol citizens' perspective, and how easy it is to be brainwashed into thinking something so brutal can be justifiable." Porter shared that he "had never seen a film" in The Hunger Games series but Nina Jacobson, who previously worked with Porter as a producer on Pose, approached him about the role, telling him, "This part is perfect for you." Porter then watched the films and discovered how the franchise's themes of oppression and rebellion resonated with his own perspective. I'm so grateful that I got the film because then I went back and I started watching. As a political artist, as a political activist, I was like, this is okay. I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention. This one is... just the timing of it. The heroes and the heroines of these films are very inspiring and empowering, and we need it. We need it right now. Collins' dystopian world reflects real-world inequalities, particularly through the contrast between the wealthy Capitol and the impoverished districts. Across the films, the sacrifices made by those resisting the Capitol have remained central to The Hunger Games and its enduring appeal. Glenn Close believes Sunrise on the Reaping has the power to bring audiences together through a shared emotional experience. As she explained: "You create art for a community and to give people a real emotional experience. When you see something like The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping in a theater, in a community of people that you don't know, you will share this incredible experience together over the next however many hours." The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will arrive in theatres on November 20. Release Date November 20, 2026 Runtime 150 Minutes Director Francis Lawrence Cast Joseph Zada Haymitch Abernathy Whitney Peak Lenore Dove Baird