'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Trailer: First Look At Joseph Zada As Young Haymitch

A whole year before its 2026 premiere, Lionsgate dropped a surprise teaser trailer and new first look photos for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

 

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This first look sets the stage for the next big chapter in the franchise. The cast is packed with big names like Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Jesse Plemons, Billy Porter and Lili Taylor, along with rising stars Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace and Ben Wang.

Photo from Murray Close

Sunrise on the Reaping is based on the 2025 book and takes place 24 years before the first film. The story follows a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, as he gets chosen for the 50th Hunger Games. This round is the second Quarter Quell, which happens every 25 years, so each district must send two tributes. A total of 48 children enter the arena, and only one can make it out. Haymitch was first portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original films.

Photo from Murray Close

The film also sees Elle Fanning as a young Effie Trinket, originally played by Elizabeth Banks, Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, a role linked to Donald Sutherland in the original series and Tom Blyth in the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, and Jesse Plemons as a younger Plutarch Heavensbee, first portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. You can also take a look at our cast guide to see who is playing who.

Photo from Murray Close

Francis Lawrence directs the film, with Billy Ray writing the script. Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson return as producers. Catch The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping in cinemas from 19 November 2026.

Watch the teaser below: