If you "thought that this was the end" of the Hunger Games Universe, it seems the odds have not been in your favour. Our very own cult-favourite mentor/sweetheart's story is officially being picked up by Lionsgate, presenting The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated movies of 2026!

Image Credit: Scholastic from Wikimedia Commons

What is it About?

Set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story, Sunrise on the Reaping focuses on a young Haymitch Abernathy—yes, the same Haymitch who later mentors Katniss and Peeta. It's the 50th Hunger Games - vicious, venomous, and very stealthy. This time, he’s just 16 years old and about to be thrown into the arena at the Second Quarter Quell.

With double the number of tributes and twice the danger, young Haymitch has just been handed a death sentence. It’s a whole new look at how the Games shaped Panem’s future.

The Cast - As of Now

Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch, stepping into some big shoes (and even bigger expectations). Instagram @josephzada

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Whitney Peak stars as Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend from District 12. Her character is revealed to be a relative of the beloved Lucy Gray Baird. Yup, the Covey clan is back, and people can't help but notice her striking resemblance to Rachel Zegler, her on-screen cousin. Instagram @whitneypeak

Mckenna Grace has volunteered as tribute Maysilee Donner, a District 12 who plays an important role in Haymitch’s story. No introduction needed. Like legend Lucy Gray, Mckenna is in the trees and in the breeze. Instagram@mckennagraceful

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Jesse Plemons joins the cast as a younger version of Plutarch Heavensbee, the future Head Gamemaker. He becomes the head gamemaker after Seneca Crane's death, taking on the role for the 75th Hunger Games and beyond.

He is also revealed to be a rebel leader, pivotal in his role during the rebellion against the Capitol. We are yet to hear the casting for more familiar characters who play prominent features in this story, including but not limited to President Snow, the man behind it all; Effie Trinket, the eccentric district-12 escort; and Caesar Flickerman, the purple-haired commentator.

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Behind the Scenes

Director Francis Lawrence is back behind the screen, having already directed three of the previous Hunger Games movies. The screenplay is by Billy Ray, and will be based on Suzanne Collins’ latest novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, which came out in 2025 and instantly hit bestselling charts.

Reportedly, the budget for this project is a whopping $150 million at the very least. This is $50 million north of the budget for the recent release in this franchise - The Ballad of the Songbirds and Snakes, and may potentially surpass the $160 million budget of The Mockingjay- Part II.

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The Soundtrack

The official soundtrack for this movie is another topic of interest between the Hunger Games fandom; although not confirmed yet, fans have high expectations given the multitude of iconic songs we received from the Ballad of the Songbirds and Snakes. With artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Chappel Roan, and Rachel Zegler herself singing hit songs such as "Can't Catch Me Now" and "The Hanging Tree", people are ready to be blown away next year.

"But I'm in the trees, I'm in the breeze, My footsteps on the ground. You'll see my face in every place, But you can't catch me now"

The Legacy

This movie is a chance to dig deeper into how the Hunger Games became the brutal event we know—and how Panem's rebellion slowly started to take root. With the success of the prequel, The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the bar has been set way too high. It’s our first live-action look at Haymitch’s life before he turned into the sarcastic mentor we all know. Mark it down, folks: 20th November, 2026.

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Fire is catching, everyone. Let the games begin!