First Look: Joseph Zada Shines On Set of ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’
There’s a new Hunger Games movie in the works. This film will take place 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and 24 years before the original Hunger Games story. The story focuses on Panem during its 2nd Quarter Quell, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games. In this film, viewers will see a young Haymitch Abernathy as one of the contestants.
Director Francis Lawrence will direct the movie, which is set to be released on November 20, 2026. The screenplay will be written by Billy Ray and Suzanne Collins, who created the Hunger Games series.
The cast includes several familiar faces and new stars. Ralph Fiennes will play President Snow, taking over the role from Donald Sutherland. Elle Fanning returns as Effie Trinket, and Mckenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner.
Other actors in the film include Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, and Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy. Fans recently got a first look at Joseph Zada behind the scenes of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, showing some of the movie’s production.
First look at Joseph Zada behind the scenes of ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’.
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The movie also features Maya Hawke as Wiress, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, and Edvin Ryding as Vitus. Supporting roles include Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Jefferson White, Iris Apatow, Whitney Peak, Kara Tointon, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Molly McCann, Laura Marcus, and Silka Sharp.
Even though the film was planned before the prequel book was released, Francis Lawrence had access to the manuscript as early as summer 2024. However, production only really got going after the book’s official release in March 2025, with filming expected to begin in July.
Ralph Fiennes spoke about stepping into the shoes of President Snow, saying, “Obviously big shoes to sort of stand alongside of, but he brought wonderful complexity to that part and I’m playing a slightly younger version of him. I am challenged but excited. I’m looking forward to it… I’m not going to try and be Donald Sutherland, because no one can be him. But I think the character he created is very complex… The complexity of that psychology, I hope I can echo in some way.”
This new film will explore a time period in Panem’s history that fans haven’t seen before, adding more depth to the world of The Hunger Games. With a strong cast and experienced director on board, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the franchise.
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