On Thursday, Lionsgate released the first official teaser trailer for “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel. Set 24 years before the events of the original franchise, the story follows a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) during the 50th Hunger Games.
The trailer offers fans their first look at Zada as Haymitch, the role originally portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the “Hunger Games” films. Zada, an Australian actor best known for his work in the Amazon Prime Video series “We Were Liars,” steps into the spotlight as the future mentor of District 12.
The upcoming film also stars Elle Fanning as a young Effie Trinket, taking over the character made iconic by Elizabeth Banks. Fanning is widely recognized for her roles in “Maleficent,” “Super 8″ and “The Great.”
Ralph Fiennes joins the cast as President Coriolanus Snow, succeeding Donald Sutherland in the “Hunger Games” films and following Tom Blyth’s portrayal in the “Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” prequel, which highlighted young President Snow’s journey in the capital of Panem. Fiennes is no stranger to playing the antagonist, playing Lord Voldemort in the “Harry Potter” series and the Nazi commandant in “Schindler’s List,” per IMDb.
Kieran Culkin, known for his childhood role in “Home Alone” and acclaimed work in “Succession,” takes on the role Plutarch Heavensbee, originally portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the “Mockingjay” films. The cast also includes Kelvin Harrison Jr., Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, Mckenna Grace, Billy Porter, Whitney Peak, Ben Wang, Molly McCann, Iona Bell and Percy Daggs IV.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, who has helmed every “Hunger Games” film except the first installment, and written by Billy Ray, “Sunrise on the Reaping” is set to release exactly one year after the teaser trailer’s debut, on Nov. 20, 2026, according to IMDb.
Are fans excited? The short answer? Yes. Early reactions on X are overwhelmingly positive, with many fans eager for the newest “Hunger Games” installment to arrive in theaters.