News

Suzanne Collins gave her readers a huge gift in returning to the world of The Hunger Games series, the first three books of which she wrote in 2008, 2009 and 2010, for the prequel story of one Haymitch Abernathy.

Haymitch, portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the quartet of films based on Collins’ original book trilogy, was Katniss Everdeen’s (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark’s (Josh Hutcherson) mentor for their two Hunger Games — the 74th and 75th.

For everything we know about the film adaptation of Hunger Game: Sunrise on the Reaping, read on:

When does the The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping film come out?

The film will arrive in theaters November 20, 2026.

Has the Sunrise on the Reaping film started production yet?

The film is still in early rounds of casting.

Who will play Haymitch Abernathy in The Sunrise on the Reaping movie?

Joseph Zada has been cast in the main...

The Hunger Games franchise is getting full. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the sixth installment in the overall Hunger Games film franchise and the second prequel, is in development at Lionsgate, with a fall 2026 premiere slated.

Sunrise on the Reaping is based on a dystopian young adult novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins, published in March 2025. It became the fastest-selling title in the Hunger Games book series so far, selling more than 1.5 million copies in its first week. The film adaptation was already in the works when the novel was released. Still, with the publication of the novel, the pace of movie development has accelerated, and news about it is emerging at a steady clip.

Here’s what we know so far about The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

What is Sunrise on the Reaping about?

Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games.

Glenn Close and Billy Porter have joined the star-studded cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the upcoming film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' bestselling novel of the same name. The ensemble has been growing at a rapid rate, as the prequel continues to introduce more characters from the page to the screen, and now there are two more in the mix. Close will play Drusilla Sickle, the cruel escort to the District 12 Tributes, while Porter stars as Magno Stift, her estranged husband and the Tributes' uninspired designer.

Throughout her storied acting career on stage and screen, Close, an eight-time Oscar nominee, has become known for portraying iconic villains and complex characters who demand authority, particularly Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction and Cruella de Vil in Disney's live-action remake of 101 Dalmatians, which should serve her well in bringing Drusilla to life, as she is just as mean-spirited and twisted as the others.

Kieran Culkin is joining the cast of the latest ‘Hunger Games’ film.The actor, 41, has enjoyed a resurgence in fame thanks to his roles in ‘Succession’ and ‘A Real Pain’, and is now stepping into the glittering shoes of Caesar Flickerman in the upcoming prequel movie ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’.Its producer Nina Jacobson was quoted by Variety saying: “Kieran’s magnetism, wit, and unpredictability make him a perfect fit for Caesar Flickerman. “A host like Caesar transforms brutality into entertainment, and an actor as layered as Kieran makes sure we don’t look away.”Kieran takes over the role made famous by Stanley Tucci in the original four-film franchise.Sunrise on the Reaping’, based on Suzanne Collins’ latest novel, takes place 24 years before the events of the first film and centres on a young Haymitch Abernathy – played in the new adaptation by Joseph Zada – during the 50th Hunger Games,...

Ladies and gentlemen, we have an important announcement to make: Kieran Culkin has joined the star-studded cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingas Caesar Flickerman. The flamboyant host of The Hunger Games was originally portrayed by Stanley Tucci in the franchise's first four films, but the torch is now being passed to the Emmy Award-winning Succession star. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman noted the qualities she feels he will bring to the role via The Hollywood Reporter:

"Kieran's scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm are perfect for Caesar Flickerman, the sickeningly watchable host of Panem's darkest spectacle. Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable—and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own."

Culkin has been collecting acting trophies at awards ceremonies at an outstanding rate following his memorable performance as snarky media scion Roman Roy in the immensely popular HBO series Succession, for which he...

Ralph Fiennes and Kieran Culkin have joined the impressive cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping, due out next next year. The cast already includes Maya Hawke, Mckenna Grace and Jesse Plemons.

Update, 22nd May: More casting news for Sunrise On The Reaping! Things are getting very exciting as Lionsgate keeps adding to the next Hunger Games film’s cast list.

Joining the likes of Jesse Plemons, Maya Hawke and McKenna Grace in the new film are Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Ben Wang, Iona Bell and Molly McCann.

It’s a pretty impressive cast, wouldn’t you say? Fiennes is due to take on the role of President Snow while recent Oscar-winner Culkin will be the flamboyant Caesar Flickerman. Fanning will charm us as Effie Trinket while Karate Kid: Legends star Ben Wang will be Wyatt Callow, Haymitch’s fellow tribute. McCann will play Louella, another...

Kieran Culkin is following up his Oscar win with a spot in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

The actor has been cast as Caesar Flickerman in the forthcoming Lionsgate film, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Francis Lawrence directs the movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel that will hit theaters Nov. 20, 2026.

Caesar is the eccentric host of the Hunger Games. Stanley Tucci portrayed an older version of the character in the series’ first four films that kicked off with The Hunger Games hitting theaters in 2012.

Previously announced castmembers for Sunrise on the Reaping include Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor and Ben Wang. THR’s exclusive casting reporting has included Ralph Fiennes as the diabolical President Snow; Molly McCann and Iona Bell as standout book characters Louella and Lou Lou, respectively; and Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket.

Lawrence...

Gold Derby's top news stories for May 20, 2025.

Watch the trailer for It: Welcome to Derry

It: Welcome to Derry, HBO Max's upcoming prequel series based on Stephen King's novel and Andy Muschietti's film adaptations, got its first trailer. Pennywise the Dancing Clown emerges every 27 years to feed on the children of Derry, and the show tells the story of the class of 1962 — 27 years before the events of It Chapter One. The cast includes Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, and Taylour Paige, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise. Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs developed the series for television, with Andy Muschietti directing multiple episodes and Fuchs serving as showrunner alongside Brad Caleb Kane. The horror drama premieres this fall on HBO and HBO Max.

Elle Fanning cast as Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Emmy nominee Elle Fanning has joined the...

Elle Fanning is set to join the fray in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

The Emmy-nominated actress has been cast as Effie Trinket in the forthcoming Lionsgate film, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Francis Lawrence directs the movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel that will hit theaters Nov. 20, 2026.

In the feature, Effie serves as the stylist for Haymitch Abernathy (played by Joseph Zada) in the preparation for the 50th Hunger Games. Elizabeth Banks portrayed an older version of Effie in the series’ first four films that kicked off with The Hunger Games hitting theaters in 2012.

Previously announced castmembers include Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor and Ben Wang. THR’s exclusive reporting has included the recent news that Ralph Fiennes has been cast as the diabolical President Snow and that Molly McCann and Iona Bell will portray standout...

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has cast a pair of pivotal roles.

Molly McCann is set to play Louella, while Iona Bell will portray her Capitol-assigned lookalike Lou Lou in the Lionsgate film, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Director Francis Lawrence’s feature adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel is set to hit theaters Nov. 20, 2026.

Previously announced castmembers include Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor and Ben Wang. THR exclusively reported last week that Ralph Fiennes has been cast as the diabolical President Snow.

Lawrence helms the movie from a script by Billy Ray that adapts Collins’ book. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson produce for Color Force, while Cameron MacConomy executive produces.

McCann is known for such television credits as Bad Sisters, The Hardacres, The Boy That Never Was and Star Wars: Visions. Additionally, she has appeared...

This article contains spoilers for "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping."

In Suzanne Collins' most recent addition to the "Hunger Games" universe, the standalone origin story titled "Sunrise on the Reaping," a lot of horrifying stuff happens. While that's par for the course with anything in the "Hunger Games" franchise, which centers around a deadly game played by children between the ages of 12 and 18 that only produces one victor — all at the behest of the evil tyrannical Capitol — I have to admit that even I, a seasoned fan of the books and films, found myself surprised by some of the twists and turns Collins provided for the prequel about Haymitch Abernathy, a District 12 victor played as an adult in the films by Woody Harrelson. So what's the most messed-up thing, for all you particularly macabre readers?

That would be the "replacement" of a District 12 tribute, Louella McCoy, after she's...

On March 18, 2025, author Suzanne Collins expanded the universe of her original "Hunger Games" stories even further with "Sunrise on the Reaping," a novel that gives fans more insight into two specific things. First, we learn about Haymitch Abernathy, the District 12 victor seen in the original books — and played by Woody Harrelson in the original film franchise — and his life and time in the Games. Second, we experience the second Quarter Quell, which added an extra layer of trauma by doubling the number of child tributes from 24 to 48, through his eyes. The book is already set to get its own film adaptation, so before long, we'll get to see Haymitch's story on the big screen.

Haymitch, as we know from "The Hunger Games," ultimately wins the 50th Games, but what happens to him along the way? Quite a lot, honestly — and he also meets some important figures that readers and audiences...

The following contains spoilers for Sunrise on the Reaping, now available in bookstores.

With the release of the fifth Hunger Games novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, Lionsgate has announced their plans for a film adaptation of the story following Haymitch Abernathy. Sunrise on the Reaping tells the story of Haymitch’s Games, the 50th Hunger Games and the Second Quarter Quell, which featured twice the amount of tributes.

There is a lot of excitement among fans for Lionsgate’s upcoming adaptation, set to release in November 2026. While the film adaptation of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was well-received, there was a lot from the book that didn’t make it to the screen. Fans hope that these moments and storylines from Sunrise on the Reapingmake it into the film adaptation.

Louella and Lou Lou The District 12 Tribute Was Replaced With a Clone Image Via Lionsgate

Louella...

The following contains spoilers for Sunrise on the Reaping.

The highly anticipated fifth book in the Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping, has recently been released, finally giving fans the story of Haymitch Abernathy and the 50th Hunger Games. The story follows Haymitch as he is selected as a tribute for the Second Quarter Quell, which featured four tributes from each District rather than the usual two.

When the novel was announced, Lionsgate announced their plans for a film adaptation shortly after, with a release date of November 20, 2026. There are several major characters in Sunrise on the Reapingthat fans would love to see in the upcoming film adaptation, including returning characters from the original trilogy, as well as new characters that fans quickly fell in love with.

Louella McCoy Died Before the Games Even Began The Character Had a Dark Story Image Via Lionsgate

Louella McCoy is introduced in...