The first logo and teaser for the upcoming The Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping, based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, was revealed by Lionsgate during CinemaCon on Tuesday. While no other details such as members of the cast or first look were revealed, Francis Lawrence, who is directing the film and has helmed every installment since 2012’s Catching Fire, announced that the film is expected to start shooting in July this year.
The book is a prequel to the original trilogy, taking place 40 years after the events of the most recent tale, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the film adaptation of which released in 2023 and 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games. It will centre on Haymitch Abernathy, portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original Hunger Games movies and how he competes in the games.
Taking to the stage, Lawrence said that The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is his favourite and will be an epic story with a "jaw-dropping twist." "We’ve been working on this draft for a year, most of it under lock and key secrecy," he shared, noting that the makers are fully engaged in scouting for potential cast members for the film.
Billy Ray, who has co-written the original trilogy, has onboarded to write the screenplay for the upcoming film.
Sunrise on the Reaping, which was published by Collins in March, is being bankrolled by Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. Cameron MacConomy is the executive producer.