Sunrise on the Reaping Follows Haymitch’s Early Hunger Games

Set 24 years before the first Hunger Games film, Sunrise on the Reaping follows Haymitch as a teenage tribute from District 12. Joseph Zada takes on the role, previously played as an adult by Woody Harrelson. Zada said he aimed to establish a distinct version of Haymitch before connecting his performance to Harrelson’s portrayal. In the prequel, Haymitch tries to avoid attention and relies on strategy, while his experience in the arena changes him.

The cast includes Mckenna Grace as fellow District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner, Elle Fanning as a younger Effie Trinket and Ralph Fiennes as President Snow. Fanning’s Effie is a fashion student seeking to advance in the Capitol, and Grace described Maysilee as determined to preserve her dignity in a system that dehumanizes the young contestants. Fiennes characterized Snow as an intelligent, controlled authoritarian.

The Games feature twice the usual number of tributes. Filming lasted about five months, with production in Spain and Germany, and included demanding physical scenes and six-day workweeks. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson also appear in the epilogue, reprising their roles as Katniss and Peeta. The movie is due in theaters on November 20.