New Hunger Games prequel’s excellent trailer gives first look at recast fan-favourite characters

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With a year to go until its release, Lionsgate has shared the first trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The movie is based on Suzanne Collins’ new book, which came out earlier this year, and fans are already excited.

This story takes place 24 years before The Hunger Games and centers on Haymitch Abernathy. We see him as a tribute from District 12 in the 50th Hunger Games. Because it’s a special edition of the Games called the Quarter Quell, each district sends twice as many tributes as usual, meaning Haymitch is competing alongside three other people from his home district.

As the Games start, Haymitch quickly discovers that having twice as many tributes isn’t his biggest worry. Someone has deliberately created a situation where he’s likely to lose, but a spark of defiance ignites within him, and he’s determined to follow through with a hidden scheme.

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Similar to the 2023 film The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Sunrise on the Reaping shows younger versions of familiar characters from The Hunger Games. Joseph Zada stars as Haymitch, a role previously played by Woody Harrelson, and he’s not the only face you’ll recognize.

Ralph Fiennes is the latest actor to play President Coriolanus Snow, following Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth, who previously portrayed the character. Joining him are Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, and Kieran Culkin, who will play Plutarch Heavensbee, Effie Trinket, and Caesar Flickerman, respectively – all beloved characters from the series.

The film boasts a fantastic cast, featuring Mckenna Grace, Ben Wang, Glenn Close, Billy Porter, Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Iris Apatow, Whitney Peak, Kara Tointon, and many other talented actors.

Francis Lawrence directed this fifth installment of The Hunger Games films. The screenplay was written by Billy Ray, who also helped write the very first Hunger Games movie.

Curious about Haymitch’s story? You can purchase Sunrise on the Reaping now! Amazon currently has it on sale for half price, bringing the cost down to just £9.99. It’s also available at TG Jones with the same discount. If you prefer Waterstones, it’s priced at £16.99, and other retailers may also carry it.

As a huge fan, I was so excited to hear that The Hunger Games is now a live stage show! It officially opened recently at a specially-built theatre, the Troubadour Theatre, in Canary Wharf, London, and I can’t wait to check it out.

The series stars John Malkovich as President Coriolanus Snow, appearing in previously filmed scenes, and is scheduled to run until October 25, 2026.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is released in cinemas on 20 November 2026.

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available! You can purchase Ariana & Witches at all good newsagents or online for only £8.99.

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2025-11-20 17:19