First ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Trailer Reveals New Haymitch

The next chapter in The Hunger Games saga has officially arrived with the debut teaser for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Based on Suzanne Collins’s 2025 novel, the film delves into the infamous 50th edition of the games, which serves as the origin story for fan-favorite character Haymitch Abernathy. Director Francis Lawrence returns to the franchise he has largely helmed, presenting a noticeably more vibrant visual style compared to previous installments.

Set 24 years before the events of the first film starring Jennifer Lawrence, the prequel explores Haymitch’s rise to prominence during a period when the games were at the height of their popularity. The trailer introduces newcomer Joseph Zada as the young Haymitch, a role made famous by Woody Harrelson in the original trilogy.

Cast and Characters

Sunrise on the Reaping assembles one of the franchise’s most extensive casts. The lineup includes numerous tributes for the 50th games and new actors portraying younger versions of established characters.

• Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
• Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
• Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow

Familiar faces from the Capitol are reprised by several acclaimed actors:

• Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow
• Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
• Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
• Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee

Additional cast members include Glenn Close, Billy Porter, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, and Lili Taylor.

Production and Visuals

Franchise veteran Francis Lawrence directs, fresh from his acclaimed adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk. The teaser footage suggests a significant aesthetic departure, utilizing a sleek and vibrant look that reflects the opulent era of the games depicted in the story. The film is adapted from a Suzanne Collins novel that has been praised as one of the best in the book series.

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