After several days of announcing its cast members, the much awaited Hunger Games prequel movie Sunrise on the Reaping has officially gone on floors. The news was shared by the the makers on their X handle along with a video that provides a slow, yet calming look at the picturesque landscapes in Somiedo Natural Park in Spain where the film has begun production. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film, based on Suzanne Collins' eponymous novel, is slated for a November 20, 2026 release.
Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak play the leads Haymitch Abernathy and his girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Molly McCann as Louella, Iona Bell as Lou Lou, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Jhaleil Swaby as Panache, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Billy Porter as her estranged husband, Lili Taylor as Mags and Ben Wang as Wyatt.
Set 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games during the Second Quarter Quell (50th Hunger Games), it will centre on a 12-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original Hunger Games movies and how he competes in the games with 48 children as tributes.
Francis Lawrence has helmed every Hunger Games installment since 2012’s Catching Fire. Billy Ray, who has co-written the original trilogy, is writing the screenplay for the film.
The upcoming film is being bankrolled by Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. Cameron MacConomy is the executive producer.
