As an avid Hunger Games fan, I was thrilled to hear the announcement for Suzanne Collins’s new book Sunrise on the Reaping, detailing the story of Haymitch Abernathy as a teenager. If you’re unfamiliar with the franchise, this novel serves as a prequel to the series and provides us with more insight as to why Haymitch acts the way that he does 25 years later. With Lionsgate recently releasing a teaser trailer for the film adaptation, I’m here to share my thoughts after watching!
- Haymitch’s Portrayal
In the teaser, Haymitch (Joseph Zada) is seen to be vigilant and sharp, a stark contrast with the drowsy alcoholic we see in the older movies. This depiction feels highly book-accurate, reflecting how Haymitch was once perceptive and cunning before enduring the Capitol’s psychological torture.
- The Reaping Scene
The teaser opens with Drusilla Sickle (Glenn Close) leading the reaping ceremony. In contrast to the previous reaping (portrayed in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), District 12 appears to be even more eerie and dull than before. This shift likely reflects the long-term impact of Lucy Gray’s mysterious disappearance on District 12, building resentment and fear toward the annual reaping.
- The Arena
The view of the arena is something much different than what we see in the 10th Hunger Games. This time, it’s set outdoors in a lush, beautiful landscape. We see hints of *mild spoiler* the volcano’s eruption, giving rise to the idea that the Capitol is beginning to refine its methods of torture by layering psychological torture (having to murder even more tributes than usual in a gorgeous arena) with physical torture.
- Costumes
While I have no issue with most of the costumes shown in the trailer, I have to remark on the tributes’ arena outfits. Instead of black coats with a colored shirt, as portrayed in the books, the film presents tacky, dramatic capes. The choice seems distracting, so I thought about why they would stray from the book representation, but I assume that it’s a result of trying to stylize the story slightly for the movie.
- Panache
In the trailer, we see Panache (Jhaleil Swaby) throw a garment onto the floor before the games begin. This immediately calls to mind the warning 24 years later: Katniss and Peeta’s warning to never to step off their platforms before the countdown runs out, as the sensitive floor would lead to an explosion. This raises the question of whether filmmakers overlooked that detail or are intentionally setting up the origin of the rule. Either way, I hope continuity is preserved!
- Haymitch’s Voice
At the end of the trailer, we hear Haymitch, in a weary tone, say that “I think these games are going to be different,” but I was not expecting it to be Woody Harrelson voicing this line! If you’re unfamiliar, Woody Harrelson played Haymitch in the original Hunger Games movies, and a cameo from him powerfully sets up where this story is unfortunately headed. With that said, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he makes an appearance in the film (perhaps in the epilogue with Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson)!
Overall, I am more than happy with the casting and genuinely believe that this film has huge potential to do the book justice. I look forward to its release on November 20, 2026, and I cannot wait to see how this chapter of Panem’s history will be brought to the big screen!
