‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Unveils Striking New Character Posters Ahead of Release
The countdown to Panem’s next chapter is entering its final stretch. ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’, the 6th film in the franchise that began in 2012, arrives in theaters and IMAX next month, and Lionsgate is ramping up its marketing.
The prequel goes back 24 years before the original film. Based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel, it follows 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy as he’s chosen for the 50th Hunger Games, a Quarter Quell in which each district sends twice the usual number of tributes to the Capitol.
On October 15, Lionsgate released 2 new character posters spotlighting key figures in the Capitol: Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow and Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee. Both posters confirm the film’s November 20 release in theaters and IMAX.
Fiennes’ poster is a tight close-up surrounded by white roses and thorny vines, a fitting image for Panem’s tyrant. His long, swept-back white hair and piercing blue eyes give him a cold, commanding presence.
New character poster featuring Ralph Fiennes as President Snow in ‘THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING’. https://t.co/8fNtrrSPKJ
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 15, 2026
Plemons’ poster takes a warmer but equally intriguing approach. He appears with swept-back hair and a thick mustache, framed by vivid pink and orange flowers. The lush floral design contrasts with Snow’s poster while matching the series’ visual style. Together, the 2 images hint at the political power struggles that shape the 50th Games.
Jesse Plemons is Plutarch Heavensbee. #TheHungerGames: Sunrise on the Reaping – only in theaters & IMAX November 20. https://t.co/WpRXjNAbaC
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) October 15, 2026
Fiennes faces a big challenge in taking on Snow. Donald Sutherland played the character in all 4 original films, and Tom Blyth played a younger Snow in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’.
In ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’, Fiennes plays Snow in his late 50s, younger than Sutherland’s version. He has acknowledged the pressure of following Sutherland and praised the depth his predecessor brought to the role. A propaganda-style poster spotted on set last year showed Snow under the slogan “Panem’s #1 Peacekeeper.”
Glenn Close is Drusilla Sickle. #TheHungerGames: Sunrise on the Reaping – only in theaters & IMAX November 20. https://t.co/UwfqQXlCIl
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) October 15, 2026
The prequel has one of the biggest casts in franchise history. Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch, with Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier.
The cast also includes Maya Hawke as Wiress, Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Billy Porter as Magno Stift, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner and her twin Merrilee, and Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are also reportedly returning as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.
Billy Porter is Magno Stift. #TheHungerGames: Sunrise on the Reaping – only in theaters & IMAX November 20. https://t.co/7m9dpA6ESU
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) October 15, 2026
Francis Lawrence, a franchise veteran, directs from a script by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie. Filming began in late July 2025 in Spain, including in Somiedo and Teverga, and wrapped in Berlin on November 28, 2025.
Lionsgate is distributing the film, which is rated PG-13 and runs 2 hours and 30 minutes. The tagline invites audiences to “witness the beginning of the revolution.” Snow and Plutarch are central figures in the ‘Hunger Games’ story. Snow is the series’ defining villain, and Plutarch has long been a mysterious figure moving through Capitol politics.
Kieran Culkin is Caesar Flickerman. #TheHungerGames: Sunrise on the Reaping – only in theaters & IMAX November 20. https://t.co/1JOGy6ghNL
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) October 15, 2026
Seeing them during the 50th Games gives fans a chance to learn more about the power structure behind the arena. Haymitch’s Games, long referenced in the original story, finally get the spotlight.
Maya Hawke is Wiress. #TheHungerGames: Sunrise on the Reaping – only in theaters & IMAX November 20. https://t.co/5kgMIQFyAw
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) October 15, 2026
With just over a month until release, more character posters and trailers will likely follow. These latest posters suggest Lionsgate is focusing on the film’s star power and the political intrigue at the center of the story. The revolution starts on November 20, when audiences return to Panem.
Which character are you most excited to see in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
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