Sunrise on the Reaping’ trailer stars Joseph Zada

The newest film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” series may be a year away, but fans just got treated to an official teaser.

The first official trailer for “The Sunrise on the Reaping,” stars Joseph Zada, known for his role on Amazon’s “We Were Liars” as Haymitch Abernathy, and released Nov. 20, an exact year before the film’s release date.

The film follows Abernathy, played by Woody Harrelson in the original series, and his story before Katniss Everdeen’s (Jennifer Lawrence) journey within the trilogy. The last movie of the original trilogy, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” came out exactly 10 years before, November 20, 2015, the “SOTR” trailer dropped Thursday.

And an extra treat for Floridians, Lionsgate announced that Devon Singletary of Jacksonville, Florida, will play the character of Blair, Haymitch’s best friend, after an open casting call was held for the role was held for months.

Watch new ‘Hunger Games’ prequel ‘The Sunrise on the Reaping’ teaser

When will ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ movie come out?

The “Sunrise on the Reaping” will come out in theaters on Nov. 26, 2026. The film’s first official trailer dropped Nov. 20, 2025, a year before it hits theaters.

What is the new ‘Hunger Games’ prequel about? ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ summary

Beware! Slight spoilers below.

The fifth book in the series is set during the 50th Hunger Games — the second Quarter Quell — through the eyes of victor and Katniss Everdeen’s mentor, Haymitch Abernathy. During these special games, twice the number of children are reaped for the games.

Readers meet Haymitch as a lovestruck and sarcastic teenager, trying to make the most of his 16th birthday (which always falls on Reaping Day).

He spends most of the morning trying to hang out with his girlfriend, a Covey girl named Lenore Dove, before heading to the ceremony. However, after an incident puts unwanted attention on him, Haymitch is unfairly reaped for the games.

Whitney Peak is Lenore Dove Baird and Joseph Zada is Haymitch Abernathy in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”

The story shows how Haymitch won his games and how he tried to end them forever, with unfortunate consequences.

The book also features several characters from the original trilogy and gives several Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans. For example, readers learn the origin story of Katniss’s iconic Mockingjay pin, which she is gifted in the first novel.

Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, Joeseph Zada, among star-studded ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ cast

Joseph Zada plays Haymitch Abernathy and Mckenna Grace stars as Maysilee Donner in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”

Over the last few months, the Hunger Games social media accounts have released their casting announcements, seeing millions of views across the videos. Here’s the whole cast, as of November 2025:

Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow
Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle
Billy Porter as Magno Stift
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee
Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow

Who won ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ casting contest? Floridian Devon Singletary

Devon Singletary is a 26-year-old actor and filmmaker based in Jacksonville, Florida. According to his online portfolio, he has appeared in commercials and done some personal projects. He describes himself online as an actor, “but most importantly, I’m a ball of energy.”

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“I’m super passionate about what I do. I have been doing this for nearly a decade, and I have a desire to do more in this career field,” he writes.

What to know: Florida resident nabs role in Hunger Games prequel ‘Sunrise on the Reaping.’

How to watch ‘Hunger Games’ movies in order

Joseph Zada is Haymitch Abernathy in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”

If you’re looking to binge-watch the iconic dystopian movies ahead of the release of “Sunrise on the Reaping,” there are two ways to do so.

“SOTR” may be the latest movie, and novel (2025), in the series, however chronologically, Haymitch Abernathy’s (Joseph Zada) story comes after Lucy Gray Baird’s (Rachel Zegler) in “TBOSAS,” but before the original “THG” trilogy centering Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence).