Get ready Hunger Games fans, as the story isn't over just yet. Following on from the release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in 2023, Suzanne Collins then blessed our bookshelves again with the release of new book Sunrise on the Reaping based on the 50th Hunger Games, aka Haymitch's games. And if it couldn't possibly get any better, a movie adaptation of the novel is officially coming in 2026—and already the Sunrise on the Reaping cast is leaving us in shock (complimentary).
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Hunger Games movie Sunrise on the Reaping.
What will The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping be based on?
On 7th June 2024, it was confirmed Suzanne Collins would be releasing another Hunger Games novel on 18th March 2025, this time telling the story of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
As all Hunger Games fans will know, the 50th Hunger Games was Haymitch's games, and in “honor” of the 50th anniversary of the games, there were twice the number of tributes reaped, with two boys and two girls taken from each district.
In a post on the official Hunger Games Instagram account the news was confirmed: “Just Announced: A NEW Hunger Games novel by Suzanne Collins coming March 18, 2025! Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.”
And in a statement from Suzanne Collins, the writer, revealed her inspiration for the new novel, saying: “With Sunrise on the Reaping, I was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few….’ The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day.”
Shortly following the announcement of the book news, Lionsgate then confirmed they would be making a movie based on the new book. Honestly, this is too much for us to handle.
What is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping about?
Sunrise on the Reaping will tell the story of the 50th Hunger Games, which was a quarter quell year and saw 48 tributes reaped for the games. It's told from Haymitch's point of view, as he celebrates his birthday on reaping day, which turns into a disaster and sees him gets called up for the games. He must leave behind his mother and younger brother Sid, as well as the love of his life Lenore Dove. So how will he fare?
Well we're not in the business of giving spoilers away so if you want to find out exactly what happens to Haymitch and Lenore Dove in granular detail before the movie next year so you can emotionally prepare yourself (trust us you'll need tissues) then pick up a copy of Collins' novel.
Who will star in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
Ok, it's the question we all want to know, who is going to play Haymitch? In the original Hunger Games movies the adult Haymitch was portrayed by Woody Harrelson.
Joseph Zada as Haymitch
Joseph Zada will be playing the young Haymitch Abernathy. Sunrise on the Reaping will be Joseph's first leading film role, but before that you can catch him in Prime Video's We Were Liars series later this summer.
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
Best known for her role as Zoya Lott in the revival of Gossip Girl and for playing Judith Blackwood in Netflix's The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Whitney Peak will take on the role of Lenore Dove Baird
Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
Mckenna Grace has been acting since she was a child, guest starring in a string of TV shows before booking her first major role opposite Chris Evans in Gifted. Since then, she's starred in The Haunting of Hill House and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
Taking over the role of Plutarch from Philip Seymour Hoffman is Jesse Plemons. The Oscar-nominated actor is best known for his leading roles in Friday Night Lights, The Power of the Dog, and Killers of the Flower Moon—and for being married to Kirsten Dunst.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier
Beetee Latier was originally portrayed by Jeffrey Wright in the Hunger Games films, and now Kelvin Harrison Jr. will take over the role for Sunrise on the Reaping. Kelvin is perhaps best known for voicing Taka (aka Young Scar) in Mufasa: The Lion King, but you might also recognize him from Elvis, The Trial of the Chicago 7, or O'Dessa.
Maya Hawke as Wiress
![new york, new york may 05: maya hawke attends the 2025 met gala celebrating superfine: tailoring black style at metropolitan museum of art on may 05, 2025 in new york city. (photo by kevin mazur/mg25/getty images for the met museum/vogue)](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2213609648-68279ffbdb4d4.jpg?crop=0.718xw:0.343xh;0.143xw,0.0647xh&resize=980:* "The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - Red Carpet")
Stranger Things breakout Maya Hawke will take over the role of Wiress. The electronics wiz Wiress was first played by Amanda Plummer in 2013's The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Lili Taylor as Mags
Taking over the role of Mags from Lynn Cohen, who originated the role in Catching Fire, is Lili Taylor. Lili began her career in the '80s, starring in classics like Mystic Pizza and Say Anything. She has over 90 credits to her name, including a memorable role on Six Feet Under and, most recently, a role on Prime Video's Outer Range.
Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow
If you don't recognize the name Ben Wang right now, don't worry, you will. Not only will he be playing Wyatt Callow in Sunrise on the Reaping, he's also starring as Li Fong in the new Karate Kid: Legends movie—NBD.
Ralph Fiennes as President Snow
Voldemort—er, I mean, Ralph Fiennes—has been cast as President Snow. The Conclave star is the third actor to play the role, following Donald Sutherland, who played the dictator in the original four films, and Tom Blyth, who played a young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
The Harry Potter-Hunger Games crossover casting left many fans thoroughly shook, including Songbirds & Snakes star Rachel Zegler, who commented on the Instagram announcement, “not my movie ex being voldemort.”
Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
It’s official—Elle Fanning has officially joined The Hunger Games cinematic universe. The A Complete Unknown star has been a fancast favorite for a minute and now, it’s canon. Lionsgate announced her casting with a sickening reveal across social media on May 20, 2025.
Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
Give the casting team a raise for this one because getting Oscar-winner Kieran Culkin to play Caesar Flickerman in Sunrise on the Reaping is every fan's dream come true. Previously played by Stanley Tucci in The Hunger Games, Caesar is known for his big personality and charm—two things we know Kieran has in spades.
When is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping being released?
Good news! While it's a long time to wait, we do have already have a release date for Sunrise on the Reaping, which is set to arrive in cinemas on 20th November 2026.
