The road to the 50th Hunger Games is getting deadlier. Lionsgate has released the trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, offering another look at the brutal competition that shaped a young Haymitch Abernathy and his eventual confrontation with the ruthless President Coriolanus Snow.
Set decades before the events of the original Hunger Games films, the upcoming prequel follows a younger Haymitch, portrayed by Joseph Zada, as he enters the arena during the Second Quarter Quell. Fans of the franchise will remember Woody Harrelson’s portrayal of the character, who became one of Katniss Everdeen’s most important allies in the original films.
This time around, Haymitch finds himself caught in the deadly machinery of the Capitol, where every tribute is fighting for survival under the watchful eye of President Snow. Ralph Fiennes takes over the role of the infamous Panem dictator, bringing another formidable villainous presence to the franchise.
The trailer teases an especially vicious chapter in the history of the Hunger Games, with Haymitch facing overwhelming odds as the Capitol tightens its grip on the districts.
The prequel also boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Mckenna Grace, Ben Wang and Elle Fanning. The lineup continues the franchise’s tradition of bringing recognizable Hollywood talent into the world of Panem.
Based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel, Sunrise on the Reaping explores one of the most significant events in the franchise’s history, shedding light on Haymitch’s experiences long before he became the hardened mentor audiences first met in The Hunger Games.
While the outcome of Haymitch’s story is already familiar to longtime fans, the prequel promises to reveal the events and brutal experiences that helped shape the character.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to arrive exclusively in theaters on November 20th.