Mere hours after Suzanne Collins announced her newTheHunger Gamesprequel,Sunrise on the Reaping, Lionsgate announced that they would be releasing a film adaptation. Following teenagers in a dystopian future that annually hosts a gladiator-type event where they must fight each other to the death,The Hunger Gamesand each installment in its series defined the young adult dystopian fiction craze.
Ever sinceSunrise on the Reaping, which centers on the adolescence of Katniss’s mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, was released, fans have clamored for updates on who will be in the film, when it will be released, and what will be depicted, especially following the resounding success of last year’s prequel film,The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. We have finally begun to get some crucial answers to all of your burning questions. Here is everything we know so far about theSunrise on the Reapingmovie.
When Will ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Be Released?
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
According to Lionsgate,Sunrise on the Reapinghas an official release date of June 28, 2025. Now, we have been hurt before, with many recent blockbusters moving their release dates around. However, the confidence with whichSunrise on the Reapinghas boasted its schedule gives us hope that we can expect the film on time.
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What Will ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Be About?
Sunrise on the Reapingisset 24 years beforethe events of Katniss’s reaping day inTheHunger Games(and 40 years after the events ofBallad of Songbirds and Snakes). Haymitch Abernathy is a 16-year-old living in District 12 who has the misfortune of being selected for the 50th Hunger Games. Of course, the 50th Hunger Games is a “Quarter Quell,” a special anniversary games that takes place every 25 years. The capital celebrates by implementing some sort of morbid gimmick, andin Haymitch’s year, the gimmick is that there are double the tributes taken from each district. Where there would usually only be 24, there are 48 children sent to battle for entertainment.
The story ofSunrise on the Reaping, therefore, follows Haymitch as he endures this challenge and embarks into the complex political world of Panem for the first time. He leaves a girlfriend from District 12 behind, Lenore Dove Baird, who fans theorize must have some relation to the love interest fromBallad of Songbirds and Snakes, Lucy Gray Baird. We already know from the original series thatHaymitch is the victor of his games,sothis is our chance to see it all unfold. Eventually, he will become the haggard, melancholy man that we know in his adult form, andSunrise on the Reapingwill give us insight into the process.
Who Will Be in ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’?
Two relative unknowns will play the two star-crossed lovers at the center ofSunrise on the Reaping’s plot, Haymitch Abernathy and his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. We now know thatJoseph ZadaofTotal Controlwill play Abernathy andWhitney PeakofThe Chilling Adventures of Sabrinawill play Baird.Jesse Plemons(Power of the Dog) will play a young version of Plutarch Heavensbee, who was previously portrayed by the late-great Phillip Seymour Hoffman,in a stroke of genius casting.McKenna Grace(I, Tonya) will join the cast as Maysilee Donner, a fellow tribute from District 12.
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While the above was the initial cast with much left unknown, a series of announcements in May 2025 gave fans a better idea of the cast. This includesKelvin Harrison Jr.(It Comes at Night, Elvis) as Beetee Latier, winner of the 34th Hunger Games, and now the father of the tribute for the 50th. Rising star and musicianMaya Hawke, best known for her role as Robin Buckey inStranger Things, will be playing the role of Wiress, a 49th Hunger Games victor and now mentor. Longtime veteran of the screenLili Taylor(American Crime, The Conjuring) will play Mags, the 11th game’s champion and now mentor of the 12th district. Finally,Ralph Fiennessteps into the villainousrole of President Coriolanus Snow, who was previously played by Donald Sutherland.
Ben Wang(Mean Girls), who will play a character named Wyatt, is a tribute, but his district and story are yet to be determined. Given the size of the production, fans can expect more casting information at a later time.
Who Else Will Be Involved?
Francis Lawrence, acclaimeddirector of many pastHunger Gamesfilms, is attached to return to the world of Panem once more. ScreenwriterBilly Ray, who also worked on the firstHunger Gamesfilm, will adapt Collins' book. Lionsgate has released a reveal of the upcoming movie on theirYouTube channel, but it reveals little about what the film will look like, and if there will be anything new fans can expect from the most recent entry inThe Hunger Gamesfranchise. More details, including a full casting list, are certain to come closer to the film’s release date, which is sadly still a long way away for fans.
Sunrise on the Reapingis available in bookstores and will be released July 28, 2025, in theaters.
