'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' begins production

“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” has now begun production!

On X (formerly Twitter), the hit movie franchise shared a 36-second clip which showed Joseph Zada (Haymitch Abernathy) on set. The clip also showed a quiet, serene landscape with a vast meadow, a brook, and a mountain.

Released as a book last March, “Sunrise on the Reaping” is a prequel set 24 years before Katniss’ first Hunger Games, and 40 years after the first Hunger Games prequel “Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”

Set for film release on November 20, 2026, the story will follow the story of Haymitch Abernathy and his experience as one of the four District 12 tributes for the 50th Hunger Games or the 2nd Quarter Quell.

Aside from Zada, the film also stars Kieran Culkin (Caesar Flickerman), Elle Fanning (Effie), Iona Bell (Lou Lou), Molly McCann (Louella McCoy), Ralph Fiennes (President Coriolanus Snow), Ben Wang (Wyatt Callow), Lili Taylor (Mags Flanagan), Maya Hawke (Wiress), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Beetee Latier), Jesse Plemons (Plutarch Heavensbee) and McKenna Grace (Maysilee Donner).

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – now in production. pic.twitter.com/znYYiwQek2

— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) August 6, 2025

—Jade Veronique Yap/JCB, GMA Integrated News